A recent archaeological dig in northern Israel has unveiled a trove of Egyptian and Greek pottery at the ancient city of Megiddo, providing rare material evidence connected to the biblical account of King Josiah’s death in 609 BCE.

According to Express, archaeologists working in a newly excavated sector of Megiddo, known as Area X, uncovered an unprecedented cache of Egyptian ceramics, supporting longstanding biblical narratives and altering current assumptions about local culture in the late 7th century BCE.

Megiddo, recognized in Christian scripture as the prophetic site of Armageddon, has long captivated scholars. It served as a prominent administrative hub during various periods, including under the Kingdom of Israel in the 10th and 9th centuries BCE and later as an Assyrian provincial capital after its conquest around 732 BCE.

One of the city's most dramatic episodes occurred in 609 BCE, when King Josiah of Judah encountered forces led by Pharaoh Necho II of Egypt. Though biblical sources differ on the reason for the confrontation, they agree that Josiah was killed in battle at Megiddo, an event that marked a turning point in Judah’s history.

New Evidence Backs Ancient Biblical Account

Until early 2025, no archaeological evidence definitively supported the biblical description of this clash. That changed when a team led by Professor Israel Finkelstein of Haifa University and Dr. Assaf Kleiman of Ben-Gurion University excavated Area X, a previously unexplored section of the site.

The team uncovered an extraordinary number of Egyptian ceramic fragments, many of which appear to be utilitarian rather than decorative. The absence of luxurious tableware strengthens the argument that these vessels were tied to a temporary military presence, rather than private trade goods.

Dr. Kleiman reported that the volume of Egyptian pottery found in Area X far exceeds any similar discovery in the Levant from that era. “The number of Egyptian vessels is double or even triple the amount found in the entire Levant for that period,” he told students during the analysis of materials at his Ben-Gurion University lab.

Greek and Mesopotamian Influence Also Detected

Alongside the Egyptian artifacts, archaeologists also found ceramics likely of Greek origin, potentially linked to mercenaries employed by Egypt during its military campaigns. Additional finds included Mesopotamian-style serving items and traditional local cooking pots.

This eclectic mix of artifacts suggests that Megiddo was briefly occupied—or at least traversed—by an Egyptian military force, possibly with Greek soldiers in tow, during Egypt’s advance to support the declining Assyrian empire. The time frame aligns with Josiah’s fateful attempt to block Pharaoh Necho’s army.

Area X also revealed a paved courtyard dating to the mid-7th century BCE, further anchoring the site’s occupation during the precise window of the megiddo-based conflict recorded in biblical texts such as the books of Kings and Chronicles.

Findings Challenge Previous Demographic Assumptions

The digs at Area X did more than solidify a biblical battlefield; they also reshaped understanding of the local population. Previously, scholars believed that post-Assyrian Megiddo experienced a major population shift or decline in local Levantine inhabitants.

However, traditional cooking pots found among the ruins suggest continuity of local customs and cuisine. According to Kleiman, “The pots we found tell us the population at the site cooked like their parents and grandparents, in the same local traditions.”

This continuity implies a stronger and more stable Levantine presence at Megiddo than previously assumed, offering a rare glimpse into cultural persistence during a time of imperial transition.

Unexplored Area Offers Fresh Insights

Although Megiddo has been excavated extensively since the 1920s—including by teams from the University of Chicago—Area X remained untouched until this recent investigation. As a result, the wealth of data housed in this part of the site adds a crucial missing piece to Megiddo’s layered history.

The concentration of Egyptian ceramics in this area stands out not only for its scale, but also for its significance. It suggests a short-term Egyptian occupation or encampment that coincides precisely with Josiah’s death, a critical event in the region’s political and religious narrative.

As biblical scholars and archaeologists continue to examine these findings, Megiddo’s role as both a historical and theological landmark is being redefined by pottery fragments painstakingly unearthed after centuries underground.