Archaeologists from Jordan believe they have discovered an ancient site called Mahanaim, mentioned in the Bible.
The first reference to Mahanaim in the biblical narrative is found in the Book of Genesis, where Jacob saw a host of angels upon returning from Paddan-Aram to southern Canaan.
Researchers noted that the name "Mahanaim" translates from ancient Hebrew to "two camps." Accordingly, biblical passages indicate that this location was near another area known as Peniel.
The site was uncovered during archaeological excavations known as Tall al-Dhahab al-Gharbi. It is noted that it is located close to a smaller archaeological dig called Tall al-Dhahab al-Sharqi, which is believed to be Peniel.
Excavations at Tall al-Dhahab al-Gharbi were conducted by a German archaeological team from 2005 to 2011. During this time, the German team discovered stone blocks featuring carvings of people playing the lyre, a lion, possibly from a hunting scene, and a date palm.
Archaeologists preparing a new study state that these blocks are likely remnants of a building inhabited by local nobility.
They also assert that the style of the engravings resembles wall paintings from the eighth century BCE at a site known as Kuntillet Ajrud in the Sinai Desert of Egypt.
Previous work at Kuntillet Ajrud indicated that in the eighth century BCE, this location was controlled by the ancient Kingdom of Israel. This suggests that the engravings on the blocks found at Tall al-Dhahab al-Gharbi may also date back to the eighth century BCE and were created by artists associated with the Kingdom of Israel.
Researchers added that both Mahanaim and Peniel were constructed by the Israeli king Jeroboam II, who reigned in the eighth century BCE.
Did the kings of Israel visit this structure?
The new study also suggests that the structure may have been used by the kings of Israel.
Israel Finkelstein, a member of the archaeological team, mentioned that the Bible indicates that an Israeli king named Ishbaal was crowned in Mahanaim and fled to Mahanaim after a battle with Absalom, one of King David's sons.
These biblical accounts suggest that several Israeli kings may have visited the building in Mahanaim.
However, "there is no definite way to know this," Finkelstein stated in an interview with Live Science.
The Kingdom of Israel, also known as the Northern Kingdom, was one of the two states formed after the division of the First Kingdom of Israel in 930 BCE. The second was the Kingdom of Judah.
The Kingdom of Israel (Northern Kingdom), established in 930 BCE, ceased to exist in 720 BCE with the invasion of the Assyrian Empire. Key cities of the kingdom included Shechem, Tirzah, and Samaria.