Ancient Canaanite ritual artifacts and a 5,000-year-old winepress were recently discovered at Tel Megiddo, the biblical site known as Armageddon, in Israel. The Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) announced the findings near Tel Megiddo on November 5, highlighting that the excavation occurred during construction of Highway 66 in the Jezreel Valley. Among the significant discoveries was a rock-carved winepress, described as the oldest ever found in Israel, providing conclusive evidence of early wine production around 5,000 years ago. This finding challenges previous assumptions about the region’s ancient wine industry, which was previously based on indirect evidence.
Archaeologists also uncovered evidence of a 3,300-year-old Canaanite folk cult, including a ceramic model of a shrine and animal-shaped ritual vessels. These artifacts, carefully placed in the ground in an orderly burial, suggest the existence of a ritual offering system outside the city’s main temple, possibly used by local farmers who could not enter the sacred complex. The findings indicate that these offerings, including vessels used for libations and valuable agricultural produce, were likely used in ceremonies during the Late Bronze Age. The IAA noted that these discoveries enhance understanding of the daily life and religious practices of the region’s inhabitants over thousands of years.
Historians believe the discovery of the winepress provides critical evidence of the early development of urbanization and agricultural practices in the area. The IAA’s director, Eli Escusido, stated that the findings layer by layer reveal the wealth of history embedded in the soil, offering insights into the region’s cultural and economic evolution. The site’s significance is further emphasized by its biblical reference in the Book of Revelation, linking it to the prophetic concept of Armageddon. Additionally, earlier this year, archaeologists at Tel Megiddo disclosed evidence of a biblical battle, suggesting that the site has a rich historical record of conflict and cultural exchange over millennia.