Archaeologists say they have found the remains of the Biblical Israelites’ Tabernacle at site of ancient Shilo. The Tabernacle precedes the Temples and dates to the period between the conquest of the Land of Israel by Joshua and the rise of King David.
According to a report in Yisrael Hayom, the archaeologists will display their findings this week at the Shilo site in Samaria, in a conference that is to be held by the Shilo Organization.
Among the findings are holes hewn into the rock at the site. These holes, the archaeologists explain, could have been used in order to prop up wooden beams used in a temporary structure like the Tabernacle. The beams formed part of the walls of the Tabernacle, and they would have had to be fixed to the ground in some way.
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Next to the hewn holes, in the northern part of Tel Shilo, structures have been discovered that date to the period between Joshua and King David.
Earthenware vessles and three large stoves were also found in one of the structures. The researchers say they were not intended for home use. This makes it more likely that the structures were part of a central public facility.
In addition, remains have been found of what appears to be the south-western corner of the wall that surrounded the city of Shilo. On the basis of this finding, researchers can also estimate where the entrance gate to the city was, and this in turn has implications for the location of the Tabernacle, which is known to have been located near the entrance gate.
Past findings at the hills that surround the site included what researchers say are the bones of sacrificed animals that were eaten by the Israelites who came to Shilo. The dating of the bones corresponded with the Biblical dates for the activity of the Tabernacle at Shilo.
