Ancient bell found in Jerusalem Old City sewer
The relic was found last week. Shukron said it was the only such bell to be found in Jerusalem from the Second Temple period, and as such was a “very rare” find. The Second Temple stood from about 515 BC until AD 70.
The biblical Book of Exodus mentions tiny golden bells sewn onto the hem of the robes of Temple priests, along with decorative pomegranates. The artisans in charge of making the priestly clothes and implements, according to the Bible, “made bells of pure gold, and attached the bells around the hem of the robe between the pomegranates.”
It was not known whether this bell was attached to a priestly garment. It is engraved with a pattern of circular channels starting at the top.
“not known…” But it is kind of fun to imagine a Cohen (Priest) sweeping down the street in Jerusalem 2,000 years ago, perhaps on a holy day, when the small bell detaches itself from his hem and rolls into the sewer - to be unearthed in modern Israel.
