During the First Temple period, Jerusalem was the only Israelite city larger than Lachish.

Archaeological finds -- such as a coin used in the Jewish Temple, a pottery vessel featuring the name of a Biblical judge, artifacts found in Beit El and more -- prove Jewish ties to the Land of Israel.

The Israel Antiquities Authority’s has now fully excavated the 8th Century BCE (1st Temple period) Lachish city gate near Mount Hebron; The Israel Antiquities Authority has recovered a papyrus from the time of the 1st Temple documenting a wine shipment from Na’artah to Jerusalem, and much more.