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Archaeologists are expose a mystifying pyramid - shaped structure and way post in the Judaean Desert . The excavation internet site , just north of the vale of Zohar ( Nahal Zohar ) along the coast of the Dead Sea , contains a host of exceptionally well - continue artifacts that are more than 2,000 years one-time .

The Great Pyramid is built from paw - cut stones , each weighing C of British pound sterling . But the complex body part ’s purpose is still unknown , according to the site ’s excavation directors . It may have served as a diachronic monument , a grave , or a guard tugboat protect a commercial path from the Dead Sea to coastal port .

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 prison term of the Ptolemaic dynasty and Seleucid Empire . AfterAlexander the Greatdied in 323 B.C. , his general part his immense imperium among themselves . His general Ptolemy took control of Egypt and the surrounding areas , let in 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 innovative - day Israel .

Given that the pyramidal anatomical structure dates to the time of this power shift , it ’s unclear if it was build under the rule of the Ptolemaic dynasty or the Seleucid Empire . TheRoman Empireabsorbed both empire in the first century B.C.

Related:2,800 - twelvemonth - older bodily structure unearthed in Israel was likely used for cultic practices and ritual killing , 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 unearth a bit of artifacts at the site . The low - moisture environs of the desert in all probability helped keep up the artefact through the millennia . Low humidness dissuade mold and minimizes warp and crack in organic fabric like Mrs. Henry Wood and fibre .

— mislay scriptural tree resurrected from 1,000 - year - one-time mystery seed institute in the Judaean Desert

— scriptural scroll discovered in ' Cave of Horror ' in Israel

an aerial view of an excavated fortress

— 1,900 - year - honest-to-goodness coins from Jewish rebellion against the Romans discovered in the Judaean desert

Some of the papyrus shard bear writing in ancient Greek , one of the language verbalise by dweller of both the Ptolemaic and Seleucid conglomerate . Also among the unearthed artifact are bronze coin and vessels , remnants of ancient furniture , beads , weapons , framework and germ , all preserved by the dry climate .

Eva Balbin Brafman , a volunteer at the mining , draw ascertain part of a paper plant document from the upper part of the website . " You could intelligibly make out the letter , probably in Greek , " Balbin Brafman said in the TV . " It ’s incredibly exciting to happen something in such a wondrous state of preservation . "

a closeup of an amulet with a scarab on it

A team of professional archaeologists and unpaid worker will remain to hollow the website through April 8 in hopes of learning more about the anatomical structure .

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a view of an excavated building in the desert with palm trees around it

A hallway made of stone blocks in an excavated tomb

A selection of metal objects

an aerial view of an excavated fort

Circular alignment of stones in the center of an image full of stones

Three-dimensional rendering of an HIV virus

Remains of the Heroon, a small temple built for the burial cluster of Philip II at the Museum of the Royal Tombs inside the Great Tumulus of Aigai (Aegae)

The coin hoard, amounting to over $340,000, was possibly hidden by people fleeing political persecution.

a close-up of a handmade stone tool

a wrecked car underwater

a photo of the Milky Way reflecting off of an alpine lake at night

an illustration of Mars

three prepackaged sandwiches

Tunnel view of Yosemite National Park.