Archaeologists at Tel Megiddo, a biblical site known as Armageddon, have unearthed a wealth of ancient artifacts, including a 5,000-year-old winepress and ritual objects linked to the Canaanites. The Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) announced the findings near Tel Megiddo, which were discovered during the construction of Highway 66 in the Jezreel Valley. The site, famously referenced in the Book of Revelation, has long been a focal point of biblical and archaeological interest. The winepress, described as the oldest known in Israel, provides conclusive evidence of early wine production in the region, shedding light on ancient agricultural practices and societal development.
Alongside the winepress, researchers found evidence of a Canaanite folk cult dating back 3,300 years, including ceramic shrine models and ritual vessels, highlighting the religious and cultural practices of the Canaanites during the Late Bronze Age. These findings not only enrich our understanding of the Canaanite civilization but also connect ancient practices to biblical narratives, offering a fascinating glimpse into the daily lives and beliefs of the region’s inhabitants. The discovery includes a rock-carved winepress, which officials described as the oldest ever found in Israel, providing new and clear evidence that early wine production actually took place here.
Historians believe the wine press is unique, one of very few known from such an ancient period when urbanization first took place in the region. The IAA stated that until now, indirect evidence indicated that wine could have been produced 5,000 years ago, but the winepress finally provided clear evidence of this practice. In addition to the winepress, archaeologists also found intriguing and fully intact evidence of a Canaanite folk cult, including a ceramic model of a shrine and animal-shaped ritual vessels. These items, placed in the ground in an orderly burial as ritual offerings, include imported jugs from Cyprus and unique vessels likely used for libations, or the ceremonial pouring of liquids. The burial locations suggest a folk cult operated outside the city, possibly composed of local farmers who couldn’t enter the main temple, allowing them to offer consecrations of liquids or valuable agricultural produce.
This discovery adds to ongoing archaeological efforts at Tel Megiddo, which has also seen recent finds such as evidence of a biblical battle. Earlier this year, archaeologists announced they had found proof of a biblical battle at the site, suggesting the presence of an Egyptian army, including fragments of serving bowls, cooking pots, and storage jars, as noted by archaeologist Assaf Kleiman. He explained that this evidence represents Egyptians who may have settled at Megiddo in the late 7th century following the collapse of the Assyrian Empire. These findings continue to shed light on the complex history and interactions within the region, adding new layers to our understanding of ancient civilizations and their connections to biblical events.