Posted on 01/31/2024 7:43:19 PM PST by SunkenCiv
Archaeologists measured the magnetic fields found in clay bricks to determine the construction date of Babylon's Ishtar Gate.
Babylon's bright-blue Ishtar Gate was thought to have been built to celebrate the conquest of Jerusalem — but a new analysis finds that it may have been erected years later.
The iconic glazed-brick edifice, which King Nebuchadnezzar II ordered to be built and decorated with wild bulls and mušhuššu-dragons while ruling the Babylonian empire from 605 to 562 B.C., was constructed in three phases and served as the entrance to the ancient city of Babylon, located in southern Mesopotamia. However, the exact dates of each construction phase have long been up for debate...
While it's known that Nebuchadnezzar II ordered the first phase, as these bricks are inscribed with his name, it was less clear if some time had passed before the second and third phases were completed, according to the study. Some researchers even wondered if Nebuchadnezzar II had died before the gate's completion...
This new analysis determined that there were no "significant chronological gaps" between each construction phase and that the "gate complex was constructed some time after the Babylonian conquest of Jerusalem" that took place in 586 B.C. During the conquest of Jerusalem, the Babylonians destroyed Solomon's Temple, also known as the First Temple; burned down the city; and exiled the Jews to southern Mesopotamia, also known as Babylonia.
(Excerpt) Read more at livescience.com ...
That is remarkable pedigree, to be sure! The one cousin in my family who truly earned “black sheep” status sailed to Antarctica in a catamaran and did the woodwok in Gino Vanelli’s studio. Lives in France last I heard.
I would rather have that resume for sure, but I wouldn’t want to live in France, even though supposedly that is where we emigrated from to America, but when I don’t know or care. 🙂 👍
Oh you’re just horsin’ around. 😆
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