Archaeologists find evidence of Babylonian conquest of Jerusalem

Researchers from UNC Charlotte discovered ash layers on Mount Zion containing artifacts like jewelry and arrowheads, indicating destruction. The ash layers were dated to the Babylonian conquest of Jerusalem in 587/586 BCE using pottery and oil lamps. The Scythian arrowheads, used by Babylonian archers, support the idea that Jerusalem was a wealthy city during the siege, challenging the notion of it being a small citadel.

What artifacts were uncovered on Mount Zion according to the report?

What does the combination of artifacts found indicate about the site?

What period were the ash layers dated to, and what evidence was used for this dating?

What type of arrowheads were identified, and who were they associated with?

What hypothesis does the discovery support regarding the nature of Jerusalem during the Babylonian siege?