2,200-Year-Old Pyramid Discovered in Judean Desert Sheds Light on Hellenistic Period

Archaeologists have unearthed a 2,200-year-old pyramid in the Judean Desert, north of Nahal Zohar in Israel. The structure, constructed from hand-hewn stones weighing hundreds of kilograms each, dates back to the Hellenistic period. The excavation, involving researchers and volunteers, yielded papyrus scrolls in Greek, bronze coins of King Antiochus IV, weapons, wooden tools, and textiles. The pyramid's function remains uncertain, with theories suggesting it may have served as a watchtower for trade routes, an ancient tomb, or a symbolic monument. The ongoing project aims to protect archaeological sites and has surveyed 180 kilometers of desert cliffs, identifying approximately 900 caves. The arid desert conditions aided the preservation of delicate organic materials, including Greek papyri potentially containing tax records. Coins from the Ptolemaic and Seleucid periods offer insights into the region's chronology and cultural influences. Further excavations are expected to clarify the pyramid's purpose, possibly as a fortress during the Hellenistic era, when the Ptolemaic dynasty dominated the region and the structure may have played a strategic role in safeguarding the main route between Edom and Gaza.