Haredi boys dug a winepress rock from 1,400 years ago

A wine press which was used for producing wine 1,400 years ago appeared recently in the Neve Yaakov neighborhood of Jerusalem.

Tamar Simon, a resident of Neve Yaakov, went out last week with a dog, a routine evening jog in the woods surrounding the neighborhood community. Suddenly she noticed ancient relics that were in the field, which she thought were excavated recently. She hurried, as an act of good citizenship, to report on the excavation the Israel Antiquities Authority inspectors, who arrived quickly.

Archaeologists were surprised to find ancient wine press for wine, carved out of rock 1,400 years ago, the size of 5x5 m. The winepress treading floor consists of a large square, whose vines have been placed on it in bare feet tensed. At the edge of the surface is rock-cut pipe, which led to the grape juice into a square settling pit and collecting vat from which grape juice is collected net. This wine press, together with many other agricultural installations was discovered in Neve Yaakov and Pisgat Ze'ev, testifies to the extensive agricultural activity in northern Jerusalem in ancient times.

According to Amit Ram, Jerusalem district archaeologist of the Israel Antiquities Authority, "We were surprised, because the winepress was excavated systematically, but such excavations; this place was never performed by the archaeological Israel Antiquities Authority ".

Riddle of the mysterious hand which dug the winepress continued to employ the inspectors, and on a routine patrol conducted on the site after the discovery of the winepress, they noticed the orthodox boy of mitzvah age, resident of the neighborhood, who examined it closely. The boy told the inspectors of the Antiquities Authority, in good faith and with great enthusiasm, that he and his colleagues are responsible for the excavation. He also said that his party amateur archeology, and together they decided to dig up the wine press.

According to Amit Reem, "The story touched our hearts and reminded us of our childhood. However, it is important to know unordered excavation of antiques causes a loss of valuable archaeological information, and therefore every citizen who finds archaeological finds to contact the IAA. We explained to the boys how problematic the execution of such excavation, and invited them to channel their energies in favor of community action carried out in the woods of Neve Yaakov. Israel Antiquities Authority invites youth interested in archeology to contact her through her website, to take part in excavations.

'בחדרי' גם ברשתות החברתיות - הצטרפו!