Beit Ahiel

1978-1982

A residential building in the conventional style of the Israelite period, a four-room house. This building was discovered in Area G of the City of David and dates to the end of the First Temple. It was called ‘Ahiel’ because that was the name appearing on pottery shards that were discovered inside the house.

This particular building was particularly luxurious and rich because a stone with a round hole was discovered in it – a stone toilet. This is extremely rare in the ancient world, and indicates the wealth pertaining to the owner of this particular house. This finding connects with other finds from nearby houses that led the excavators to believe that the city’s ruling center was located in this area.