Ancient Canaanite ritual artifacts and a 5,000-year-old winepress have been discovered at Tel Megiddo in Israel, the site known as Armageddon from the Book of Revelation. The Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) announced the findings on November 5, revealing a wealth of historical artifacts dating from the Early Bronze Age to the Late Bronze Age. These discoveries, made during the construction of Highway 66 in the Jezreel Valley, include remarkable evidence of early wine production and a unique Canaanite folk cult that practiced ritual offerings outside the city’s main temple.
The most significant among the finds is the rock-carved winepress, which is described as the oldest ever discovered in Israel. The IAA highlighted that while indirect evidence of ancient wine production had previously been noted, this winepress provides the first conclusive proof. This artifact places the origins of the local wine industry within an early urban-settlement context, offering a glimpse into the region’s agricultural and cultural practices. In addition to the winepress, the dig uncovered artifacts such as a ceramic model of a shrine, storage jars, imported jugs from Cyprus, and a set of vessels likely used for libations—ceremonial pouring of liquids such as wine, oil, or milk.
The ritual offerings, including intact pottery vessels buried near a large rock outcrop, suggest the presence of a folk cult that may have operated outside the city’s main temple. This cult appears to have been practiced by local farmers who did not have access to the central religious structures. The findings imply that these individuals were able to conduct their own ceremonies, possibly through open-air altars, as a means of engaging with their spiritual beliefs. These artifacts and their placement indicate a continuation of ritual consecration practices over thousands of years, providing insight into the religious practices of the Canaanite people.
The IAA’s director, Eli Escusido, noted that the excavation has uncovered a significant part of the site’s historical matrix and emphasized the importance of these findings in understanding the daily life and religious practices of the region’s inhabitants. The discovery of the winepress and ritual offerings not only highlights the region’s rich cultural heritage but also contributes to a broader understanding of the Canaanite civilization’s religious and social structures. These findings are part of an ongoing series of archaeological revelations at Tel Megiddo, which continue to shed light on the ancient world and its enduring mysteries.