3,000-Year-Old Donkey Dung Provides Evidence for Existence of King Solomon’s Mines

Copper Mine
An old copper mine located in Timna Valley in southern Israel Google Commons

Archaeologists have finally found evidence that could prove the existence of King Solomon's mines, and they found it in donkey dung that is thousands of years old.

The discovery was made by archaeologist Erez Ben-Yosef from the University of Tel Aviv, and his findings were published at the Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports.

While digging at a site in Timna Valley called Slaves' Hill, which is known for having old copper mines, he and his team found the excrement of a donkey.

At first, he thought it was from the animals of nomads who went to the place decades ago. However, carbon dating of the sample revealed that it was thousands of years old and dated back to 10th century B.C.-the time when King David and his son Solomon existed based on biblical accounts.

"We thought maybe some nomads had camped there with their goats a few decades ago," Ben-Yosef said, according to National Geographic. "But the [radiocarbon] dates came back from the lab, and they confirmed we were talking about donkeys and other livestock from the 10th century B.C. It was hard to believe."

According to the Bible, King Solomon was extremely wealthy and he undertook the construction of the Temple and other structures that required large amounts of metal like gold and bronze. Some scholars believe he was able to source these metals from large-scale mining. However, the location of such mines has not been known.

The excavation of Slaves' Hill, where the donkey dung was unearthed, has yielded more than a thousand tons of smelting debris. This indicated just how large-scale the ancient mines were.

Chapter 8 of the book of 2 Samuel records King David defeating Edom, causing the Edomites to be subject to him: "And David became famous after he returned from striking down eighteen thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt. He put garrisons throughout Edom, and all the Edomites became subject to David. The Lord gave David victory wherever he went." (2 Samuel 8:13-14)

Having been subdued, Edom probably paid tribute to King David by providing him with metals from the mines, allowing Solomon, who became king after his father, to get resources for the structures he constructed.

"There's a serious possibility that Jerusalem got its wealth from taxing these mining operations," Ben-Yosef said.

Interestingly, the donkey dung contained some plant material that was found about 300 kilometers north of the site. This meant the ancient communities had to import animal feed from a distant place to sustain mining operations, which was a major industry at the time.

No evidence has yet been found that actually links the mines to King Solomon himself, but learning that the mines in Timna Valley were operated during the time of Solomon is a big step.

"Until recently we had almost nothing from this period in this area," Ben-Yosef said. "But now we not only know that this was a source of copper, but also that it's from the days of King David and his son Solomon."

    Most Popular
  • Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Faith-based films often receive mixed reactions, and The Last Supper is no exception. The movie attempts to bring a fresh perspective to one of the most iconic moments in Christian history, but does it succeed? Some reviews from critics and audiences provide insight into its strengths and shortcomings.

  • ‘The Chosen’ Season 5: The darkest season yet—What to know before watching

    The wait is over—The Chosen is back with its fifth season, and this time, things are getting intense. The new episodes dive straight into the final days of Jesus’ life, covering some of the most emotional and dramatic moments in the Bible. If you’ve been following the series, you already know that The Chosen isn’t just about retelling familiar stories—it’s about bringing them to life in a way that feels real.

  • Massacres in Syria: Over 1,000 dead, including Christians and Alawites

    Syria’s coastal regions have been devastated by a series of massacres, with reports indicating that over 1,000 people—many from Christian and Alawite communities—have been killed in brutal attacks. Entire families have been wiped out, and survivors are fleeing in search of safety as sectarian violence escalates.

  • Kim Sae-ron and Wheesung: The tragic irony of Korean society and the principles of happiness

    Not long ago, the media was in an uproar over actress Kim Sae-ron’s passing. Just months before, the same people who had relentlessly criticized her for her DUI incident were now expressing sympathy, saying, "The world was too harsh on her." The irony is impossible to ignore.

  • Newsboys move forward as a quartet after Michael Tait’s departure

    After more than a decade as the lead singer of the Newsboys, Michael Tait has officially parted ways with the band, marking a significant shift in the Christian rock group’s lineup. The remaining members—Jeff Frankenstein, Jody Davis, Duncan Phillips, and Adam Agee—have assured fans that they will continue forward, embracing a new season of music and ministry.