Archaeologists from the Israel Antiquities Authority have uncovered a mysterious 2,200-year-old pyramid structure in the Judean Desert, just north of Nahal Zohar. Researchers believe it dates back to the Hellenistic period, a time when the area was ruled by the Ptolemies and later the Seleucids.

“What we have here is one of the richest and most intriguing archaeological excavations ever found in the Judean Desert,” said Matan Toledano, Dr. Eitan Klein and Amir Ganor, excavation directors on behalf of the Israel Antiquities Authority

Among the discoveries beneath the pyramid were ancient Greek papyri, bronze coins stamped with images of Ptolemaic rulers and Antiochus IV, weapons, colorful beads, wooden spoons, fragments of textiles, and even a decorative button.

The find is part of an ongoing project that began eight years ago, aimed at protecting archaeological sites in the Judean Desert from looters. But despite the impressive discovery, the pyramid’s real purpose remains a mystery.

“We still do not know for certain what the building’s purpose was,” they stated. “Is this a guard tower, guarding an important commercial route through which the Dead Sea resources of salt and bitumen were transported to the coastal ports? Or at some point was this enormous structure on the mountaintop marking a grave or serving as a monument in ancient history?”

Regardless, the trio is looking forward to finding out more of the pyramid’s ancient secrets.

“It is an enthralling historical mystery – and to our delight, the public coming to volunteer in the excavation are our partners in uncovering the answers.”