2,200-Year-Old Pyramid from Ptolemaic Period Found In Judean Desert

A team of archaeologists from the Israel Antiquities Authority, working alongside the Ministry of Heritage and with the support of volunteers from across the country, has made an extraordinary discovery in the Judean Desert. North of the Nahal Zohar valley, researchers have uncovered a massive pyramidal structure, a find that is reshaping understanding of the region’s history. This structure dates back to the era when the Ptolemies and Seleucids were vying for control of the lands of ancient Palestine, from the late fourth century BC through the early second century BC.

The imposing pyramidal edifice, which was meticulously built from massive hand-carved stones, features a waystation situated beneath the structure. Among the remarkable artifacts recovered at the larger site were Greek papyrus documents, bronze coins from the reigns of the Ptolemies and Antiochus IV, and 2,200-year old weapons, wooden tools, and textiles, all of which have been exceptionally well-preserved due to the dry desert climate.

View of top of pyramid-shaped structure, where excavations are still in an early stage. (Emil Aladjem/Israel Antiquities Authority).

“What we have here is one of the richest and most intriguing archaeological excavations ever found in the Judean Desert,” said excavation directors Matan Toledano, Dr. Eitan Klein, and Amir Ganor, in a Facebook post from the Israel Antiquities Authority. “This pyramidal structure is huge, and made of hand-hewn stones, each one weighing hundreds of kilograms. Already in the first excavation week, the volunteers found written historical documents, exceptional bronze vessels and remains of ancient furniture, which thanks to the desert climate were preserved in amazing condition. This is a very promising site – every moment new findings are discovered.”

This discovery is part of a large-scale archaeological initiative that began eight years ago to safeguard the historical treasures of the Judean Desert, which face threats from illicit excavations and looting. With funding from the Ministry of Heritage, the Civil Administration of Judea and Samaria, and the Israel Antiquities Authority, researchers have systematically explored 180 kilometers of rugged cliffs, identifying approximately 900 caves that were used as by people for different purposes in ancient times.

Using advanced rappelling equipment, state-of-the-art technology, and specialized documentation methods, archaeologists have recovered thousands of rare artifacts. These include ancient scrolls deliberately hidden in caves, papyrus fragments, wooden implements, weapons, leather objects, and coin hoards.

The excavation at Nahal Zohar is also challenging earlier interpretations of the site’s historical timeline. Previously, scholars attributed the structure to the First Temple period, but current evidence suggests it was actually built during the Hellenistic era, when the territory of modern-day Israel was under Ptolemaic rule.

Papyrus fragment with writing in Greek, from third century BC. (Emil Aladjem/Israel Antiquities Authority).

Ptolemaic Israel: An Age of Turmoil and Conflict, Ending with Hellenization

In the summer of 332 BC, Alexander the Great conquered Palestine, integrating the land and its people into the Hellenistic world. By the time of Alexander’s untimely death at age thirty-three in 323 BC, his vast empire extended from Macedonia to India, and included Palestine.

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Following Alexander’s death, his generals, known as the Diadochi (“successors”), were unable to preserve the empire’s unity, leading to its fragmentation. Various generals took control of different regions, ruling in the style of the old Persian satraps. In 323 BC Ptolemy assumed control of Egypt, marking the beginning of the Ptolemaic Empire.

After overcoming initial challenges, Ptolemy solidified his rule by 312 BC., extending his influence over much of Alexander’s former eastern territories. But the Ptolemaic and Seleucid empires would both go on to play a crucial role in shaping the history of Hellenistic Palestine.

Handful of colored beads excavated at site. (Emil Aladjem/Israel Antiquities Authority).

Throughout the Diadochi period, Palestine repeatedly changed hands between the Ptolemies and the Seleucids, with new ruling regimes assuming control five times. This instability slowed the rate of Hellenization in the early Hellenistic period. However, by 301 BC, Ptolemy had successfully consolidated his hold on Palestine. Despite the ongoing conflicts with the Seleucids, the Ptolemies maintained effective control over the region for the next century.

Nevertheless, the Ptolemaic regime did have to repel repeated Seleucid invasions and Bedouin raids. Ptolemaic military garrisons were stationed across the region, and numerous Greek cities were founded. Many of these settlements were established as cleruchies—military colonies where Greek soldiers were given land and encouraged to intermarry with the local population, a defining characteristic of the Hellenistic world.

A robust Ptolemaic bureaucratic system managed governance and taxation, focusing on economic development and trade. Key exports from Palestine to Egypt included grain, olive oil, smoked fish, cheese, meat, dried figs, honey, and dates. Additionally, the region played a vital role as a crossroads for the spice trade.

Ancient sewing needle found during excavation in Nahal Zohar valley. (Emil Aladjem/Israel Antiquities Authority).

In 221 BC, the Seleucid king Antiochus III launched an unsuccessful invasion of Palestine. Undeterred, he continued seeking opportunities to seize control of the region. The death of King Ptolemy IV Philopator in 203 BC created the opening he needed, and in 201 BC, he successfully invaded the land.

By 198 BC, the Seleucids had firmly established their rule over Palestine, maintaining control until the Maccabean Revolt (168–164 BC). By the time Ptolemaic rule ended, however, Greek cities had proliferated across the region, and the process of Hellenization was essentially complete.

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The Story Continues to Unfold

The dating of the ruins and artifacts found in the Judean Desert to the chaotic Ptolemaic period does answer some questions about what was happening in the region 2,200 years ago. But the purpose of the pyramidal structure remains a mystery that will require more archaeological investigation to solve.

“We still do not know for certain what the function of this building was,” Toledano, Klein, and Ganor explained. “It could have been a watchtower protecting an important trade route used to transport resources from the Dead Sea, such as salt and bitumen, to Mediterranean ports. Another possibility is that it served as a monumental tomb or as a symbolic marker in antiquity.”

Ongoing excavation activity at the site of the Nahal Zohar pyramid. (Emil Aladjem/Israel Antiquities Authority).

The excavations will continue for another three weeks, with the expectation that new discoveries will help clarify the mystery of the Nahal Zohar pyramid and its role in the region’s amazingly complex history.

Top image: Broad view of excavation site in Nahal Zohar valley, with excavation site on upper section of pyramidal structure visible in the center.

Source: Emil Aladjem/Israel Antiquities Authority.

By Nathan Falde