The excavations were part of a plan to facilitate a new neighborhood in the city. However, Israeli researchers inadvertently uncovered the remains of an ancient neighborhood that was once bustling with ancient Jewish life.

The site is dated from the 1st century AD until the Bar-Kokhba Revolt against the Roman Empire in 135 AD. It is located along the southern border of the ancient kingdom of Judah.

Researchers found a shard of an oil lamp decorated with a nine-branch menorah, which is one of the earliest depictions of the menorah ever to be discovered.

They also discovered limestone vessels used by ancient Jewish for purity rituals, a watchtower, and even underground hidden passageways used by Jewish rebels.

"Remains of the settlement … include several structures and installations, such as the foundations of a large watchtower, baking facilities, ancient trash pits and an underground system that was probably used as a Jewish ritual bath (mikveh)," explained Dr. Peter Fabian of the Ben-Gurion University in the Negev and Dr. Daniel Varga of the Israel Antiquities Authority.

"Signs of a conflagration discovered in some of the structures evince a crisis that the settlement experienced, probably that of the First Jewish Revolt," they added. That revolt took place in 70 AD.

Researchers are especially excited about the ancient menorah found on the oil lamp shard.

"This is probably one of the earliest artistic depictions of a nine-branched menorah yet discovered," Dr. Vargas said.

Archaeologists also found dozens of bronze coins that were minted by the Roman Empire.

Beersheva is mentioned in the Bible several times in connection with the Hebrew Patriarchs Abraham and Isaac.

In Genesis 21, the city was founded by Abraham and Abimelech after the two settled their differences over a well of water and formed a covenant together. The name Beersheva means "Well of Seven" or "Well of the Oath."

The Bible says Isaac built an altar in Beersheba and Jacob had a dream about a stairway to heaven after leaving the city.

Later, the prophet Elijah took refuge in Beersheva after Jezebel ordered his execution. Subscribe for free to Breaking Christian News here

To receive daily emails from Breaking Christian News to your inbox CLICK HERE

Ex-Hamas Wife Whose Father Helped Create the Terrorist Group Meets Jesus in a Miraculous Dream

Gym in Los Angeles Revokes Membership of Woman Who Opposed Man in Women's Locker Room

American Consumers Footing the Bill: Supreme Court Hears Arguments on Trump's Tariff Power

These Two Officials Would Make an Unstoppable Presidential Ticket, Trump Says

High Stakes on the High Seas as US, China Test Limits of Military Power

FAA Slashes Flights at 40 Airports as Democrat Shutdown Grounds America

NYC's First Muslim, Socialist Mayor the Top Story as Democrats Sweep the Off-Term Elections

Dems Win in VA with First Female Governor, Jones Overcomes Murder Text Scandal to Win AG

Texas Voters Approve Requiring Judges to Deny Bail for Certain Violent Felony Charges

Hamas Returns Remains of Last American Hostage; US Proposes 'Stabilization Force' for Post-War Gaza

Parent Groups Demand 50-State Audit to Eliminate DEI in Schools [WATCH]

UPS Plane Crashes and Explodes at a Kentucky Airport, Leaving at Least 9 Dead and Others Missing

Former VP Dick Cheney Dead at 84

Make-or-Break Decision Coming: President Trump's Tariffs on Trial

'Revival on Halloween Night': Hundreds Worship Jesus as Baptisms Unfold in Streets of Baton Rouge

Canadian MP: Reciting 'Hateful' Bible Verses About Homosexuality In Public Should Be Illegal

Canada's Supreme Court Rules 1-Year Minimum Jail Sentence for Child Porn Possession 'Unconstitutional'

The New York Times Exposed a Trafficking Crisis. But Refuses to Name the Men Responsible

Google Caught Hiding Elon Musk's New Grokipedia, Instead Promotes Leftist Wikipedia

How Trump Killed a UN 'Global Green Tax' that Would Have 'Devastated' at the 11th Hour: Breitbart Exclusive