Archaeologists have unearthed a collection of ancient Canaanite ritual objects and a 5,000-year-old winepress at Tel Megiddo, the biblical site known as Armageddon. The findings, which date from the Early Bronze Age (around 3000 B.C.) to the Late Bronze Age (circa 1270 B.C.), include significant artifacts such as a rock-carved winepress described as the oldest ever found in Israel. The Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) revealed the discovery near Tel Megiddo during the construction of Highway 66 in the Jezreel Valley. The unique winepress provides concrete evidence of early wine production, confirming that the region was involved in viticulture much earlier than previously thought.
Among the discoveries, archaeologists also found remnants of a Canaanite folk cult that dates back 3,300 years. These include a ceramic model of a shrine, animal-shaped ritual vessels, and other offerings placed in an orderly manner in the ground. These artifacts suggest the existence of a ritual practice conducted by local farmers who could not enter the main temple, allowing them to perform offerings outside the city. The burial sites, including intact pottery vessels found near a large rock outcrop, may have been used as an open-air altar during ceremonies. These findings offer insight into the religious beliefs and daily practices of the ancient Canaanite community.
The IAA noted that the excavation is revealing new layers of history within the city’s ancient settlement. The discovery of the ancient winepress places the beginnings of the local wine industry in an early urban context, while the offerings from the 3,300-year-old period indicate the continuity of ritual practices. Eli Escusido, director of the IAA, emphasized that these findings contribute to understanding the daily life and beliefs of the region’s inhabitants over thousands of years. Additionally, the site has seen other significant discoveries, such as evidence of a biblical battle previously uncovered, suggesting that the area has been a focal point of historical and cultural activity for millennia.