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Archaeologists are uncovering a mystifying pyramid - mold construction and way station in the Judaean Desert . The dig site , just northwards of the valley of Zohar ( Nahal Zohar ) along the coast of the Dead Sea , contain a legion of exceptionally well - preserved artifacts that are more than 2,000 years former .

The pyramid is build from hand - abridge stones , each consider hundreds of Syrian pound . But the structure ’s purpose is still unknown , according to the land site ’s archeological site directors . It may have swear out as a historic memorial , a grave , or a guard tug protect a commercial path from the Dead Sea to coastal interface .

a fragment of weathered papryus

Volunteers uncovered papyrus fragments covered in Greek writing while excavating a pyramid-shaped stone structure near the Dead Sea.

The site dates back 2,200 years to the time of the Ptolemaic dynasty and Seleucid Empire . AfterAlexander the Greatdied in 323 B.C. , his generals carve up his huge empire among themselves . His general Ptolemy took control of Egypt and the fence areas , include Israel , while Seleucus ruled the northern part of what is now the Middle East . By 200 B.C. , the Seleucid Empire had conquered what is now forward-looking - day Israel .

give that the pyramidic structure dates to the clock time of this world power switch , it ’s unclear if it was built under the rule of the Ptolemaic dynasty or the Seleucid Empire . TheRoman Empireabsorbed both empires in the first one C B.C.

Related:2,800 - class - old social structure unearthed in Israel was likely used for cultic exercise and sacrifice , archaeologist say

a group of people work at a desert excavation site under a tent

A tent covers excavations at the site north of Nahal Zohar.

The archaeologists also unearthed a number of artifacts at the land site . The scurvy - moisture environment of the desert likely helped preserve the artifacts through the millennia . down in the mouth humidness deters mold and minimizes warp and cracking in organic materials like Sir Henry Joseph Wood and character .

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an aerial view of an excavated fortress

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Some of the papyrus fragment hold composition in ancient Greek , one of the linguistic communication spoken by denizen of both the Ptolemaic and Seleucid empires . Also among the unearthed artifacts are bronze coins and vessels , remnants of ancient piece of furniture , astragal , arm , fabrics and seeds , all preserve by the dry climate .

Eva Balbin Brafman , a unpaid worker at the excavation , described bump part of a paper rush written document from the upper part of the site . " You could clearly make out the letter of the alphabet , likely in Greek , " Balbin Brafman said in the video . " It ’s improbably exciting to find something in such a grand state of preservation . "

a closeup of an amulet with a scarab on it

A team of professional archaeologists and volunteers will cover to hollow the site through April 8 in hopes of learning more about the social system .

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