2,700-year-old decorated ivory plaques discovered at Jerusalem site

STORY: 2,700-year-old decorated ivory plaques discovered at Jerusalem site DATELINE: Sept. 6, 2022 LENGTH: 00:03:08 LOCATION: Jerusalem CATEGORY: SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. various of the City of David 2. various of workers at the site 3. various of decorated ivory plaques STORYLINE: Archaeologists have discovered a rare and prestigious collection of decorated ivory plaques of about 2,700 years old, the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) said Monday. The ancient ivories, made of elephant tusks, were unearthed among the ruins of a palatial building by the IAA and Tel Aviv University in the City of David archaeological site in Jerusalem. It is worth noting that the ivory was considered one of the most expensive raw materials in the ancient world, even more than gold. During the excavation, the team found 1,500 ivory fragments, which were the remnants of at least 12 small square plaques, 5 cm long and 5 mm thick. The decorated ivories were apparently inlaid in wooden furnishings used by the building's residents