A massive stone monument that dates back around 5,000 years has been found in Israel. Archeologists were excavating an area 8 miles northwest of the Sea of Galilee, when they stumble upon the large lunar-crescent-shaped structure. Its volume is about 14,000 cubic meters and it has a length of about 150 meters, making it longer than a football field.

Archaeologists previously thought the structure was part of a city wall, but there is no city beside it, indicating that the structure is a standing monument.

Photo: Imgur

It is likely the monument is older than the pyramids of Egypt and built before Stonehenge, reported Life Science.

Photo: Imgur

An ancient town called Bet Yerah is located only a day’s walk from the crescent-shaped monument. Bet Yerah was a large town with a grid plan and fortification system. Its inhabitants traded with the early kings of Egypt, as seen from several artifacts, including a jug with a hieroglyphic inscription, according to Mike Freikman, an archaeologist with the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

Pottery unearthed at the site indicates the monument dates to between 3050 B.C. and 2650 B.C. Photo: Imgur

It’s uncertain whether the town actually bore this name 5,000 years ago. In the 2012 journal article, researchers said “the name ‘Bet Yerah’ was recorded in 1,500-year-old Jewish rabbinic texts and may date back much earlier.

This is one of several significant discoveries made recently in israel. Last month, archeologists unearthed the remains of the biblical city of Gath in the Judean foothills between Jerusalem and Ashkelon.

The excavation project is part of a two-decade long expedition. Biblical scholars are calling for an extension of the project and expect other significant Biblical discoveries in the near future.

H/T: Life Science

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