Image Details

SHARON GAL, ISRAEL ANTIQUITIES AUTHORITY

ISRAELITE GATE-SHRINE. The left-most chamber in this isometric reconstruction of Lachish’s gate complex shows where archaeologists found what they interpret to be an Israelite gate-shrine. The chamber is divided into two rooms. In the innermost room, archaeologists discovered two four-horned altars (visible in the drawing)—of which seven of the eight horns had been cut off intentionally—as well as an assemblage of pottery vessels and a stone toilet. The authors believe this room served as the “Holy of Holies” (the innermost room of the Tabernacle) of the gate-shrine.