A 2,750-year-old stone discovered inside a mansion in Israel destroyed by the Assyrians may provide new evidence for religious reforms traditionally linked to King Hezekiah, according to a new study.
Published in the 2026 edition of the peer-reviewed Jerusalem Journal of Archaeology, the research examines a massive stone unearthed at Tel ‘Eton in Israel’s Judean Shephelah, about 20 miles (32 kilometers) southeast of Ashkelon.
The artifact, identified as a massebah, or standing stone, measures about 4.6 feet (1.4 meters) tall and weighs roughly 1,650 pounds (750 kilograms). Archaeologists found it broken into two matching pieces inside a large Iron Age residence destroyed during an Assyrian campaign in the late eighth century BCE.
Standing stones played a religious role
Standing stones were widely used in religious practices across the ancient Near East and are also mentioned in biblical texts.
“Standing stones were a common religious feature in the ancient Middle East and beyond,” said study author Avraham Faust of Bar-Ilan University. “Their exact meaning is debated, but all scholars agree that they were used in religious contexts.”
Researchers believe the residence was home to an elite household, possibly local administrators. The stone was discovered in Room 101B, the largest room of the house, where it would have been visible when the doorway was open, suggesting it held an important place within the household.
The stone appears to have been carefully reused
Archaeologists found the stone embedded in a platform with a cooking pot placed on top. Rather than being smashed or discarded, the monument had been carefully laid down and reused, indicating that residents may have continued to respect its former religious significance.
Archaeologists in Israel have uncovered a 2,750-year-old standing stone inside an elite Israelite residence destroyed by the Assyrians.
Researchers say the find offers new evidence for King Hezekiah’s religious reforms and worship practices extended into ancient households. pic.twitter.com/6neQ8pJNkf
— Tom Marvolo Riddle (@tom_riddle2025) June 16, 2026
Radiocarbon dating suggests the house was built in the late 11th or early 10th century BCE and remained occupied for centuries before being destroyed by fire during the Assyrian conquest. The blaze preserved many artifacts, including pottery and household objects.
Researchers also discovered fragments of burned wood beneath the platform, though scientific testing failed to identify the material or determine its purpose.
Discovery may shed light on Hezekiah’s reforms
According to Faust, the stone may have been removed during religious reforms attributed to King Hezekiah, who is described in biblical accounts as centralizing worship in Jerusalem and eliminating local cult sites.
Scholars remain divided over whether those biblical descriptions reflect historical events. Archaeological evidence for such reforms has largely come from public religious sites such as Lachish, Arad, and Beersheba.
The Tel ‘Eton discovery adds a new dimension to that debate. Unlike previous finds from temples and shrines, this stone was found inside a private residence, suggesting that religious reforms may have extended beyond public sanctuaries and into everyday household life in ancient Judah.
Researchers say the discovery offers rare insight into how religious change may have affected families and communities during one of the most debated periods in the history of ancient Judah.
See all the latest news from Greece and the world at Greekreporter.com. Contact our newsroom to report an update or send your story, photos and videos. Follow GR on Google News and subscribe here to our daily email!
