An aerial photograph of the 2,800-year-old farm house near the city of Rosh Ha-Ayin, Israel. Image credit: Skyview Company / Israel Antiquities Authority.
The farm house had 23 rooms and was built in the 8th century BC, the time of the Assyrian conquest.
“Farm houses during this period served as small settlements of sorts whose inhabitants participated in processing agricultural produce,” said Dr Amit Shadman of IAA.
“The farm, which is extraordinarily well-preserved, extends across an area of 30 x 40 meters.”
“The numerous wine presses discovered in the vicinity of the settlement indicate the wine industry was the most important branch of agriculture in the region.”
“A large silo, which was used to store grain, shows that the ancient residents were also engaged in growing cereal.”
The farm continued to be used during the Persian period in the 6th century BC, and in the Hellenistic period as well, which began in the country with the arrival of Alexander the Great.
Obverse of a silver coin found at the site: Heracles’ head right, clad in Nemean lion scalp headdress tied at neck. Image credit: Robert Kool / Israel Antiquities Authority.
“With Alexander’s victory over the Persian army in 333 BC, he embarked upon numerous successful military campaigns. His campaign in Israel did not encounter any special difficulties and the country opened its gates to the great warrior,” Dr Shadman said.
“Evidence of a Greek presence in the region was uncovered on one of the floors of the building in the form of a rare silver coin bearing the military leader’s name – ΑΛΕΞΑNΔΡΟΥ.”
“One can also discern the image of the god Zeus on that side of the coin, while the head of Heracles appears on its obverse.”
“During the Ottoman period a lime kiln was dug into the structure which utilized the stones in the building as ready source of raw material.”
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