ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Possible Palace of King Solomon Unearthed in Israel

cultural-heritage · 2026-05-05

An American archaeological team has discovered a monumental building in the ancient royal city of Gezer, Israel, dating to the 10th century BCE—the period traditionally associated with King Solomon's reign (circa 965–928 BCE). The site, located between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv and now a national park, was reported by the Israeli daily Haaretz. The structure's unusually large dimensions and central courtyard suggest it may have been a palace or administrative center, according to Steve Ortiz, co-director of the excavation. However, co-director Sam Wolff urged caution in linking the find directly to biblical texts, noting that while the Bible recounts Pharaoh conquering Gezer and giving it to his daughter, Solomon's wife, for reconstruction, no definitive evidence connects this building to Solomon himself. The discovery has generated significant excitement in Israel, but researchers emphasize that further analysis is needed to confirm the building's function and historical context.

Key facts

  • A monumental building was discovered in Gezer, Israel, dating to the 10th century BCE.
  • The excavation is led by an American team including Steve Ortiz and Sam Wolff.
  • The site is located between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv and is now a national park.
  • The building's large size and central courtyard suggest it may have been a palace or government structure.
  • The discovery was reported by the Israeli newspaper Haaretz.
  • King Solomon reigned approximately from 965 to 928 BCE.
  • The Bible mentions Pharaoh conquering Gezer and giving it to his daughter, Solomon's wife.
  • Researchers caution against directly associating the find with biblical accounts.

Entities

Institutions

  • Haaretz

Locations

  • Gezer
  • Israel
  • Jerusalem
  • Tel Aviv

Sources