A limestone capital decorated with menorahs, dating from a time when Jews were banned from Jerusalem by the Romans, will be displayed for the first time on Israel’s Independence Day.

Discovered in 2020 during excavations in Jerusalem’s Motza neighborhood, the artifact was found upside down in a Byzantine structure dating to the 6th or 7th centuries CE.

Experts believe the capital, which likely originated in the 2nd-4th centuries CE, was repurposed in later construction.

The menorah symbols, which have eight branches rather than the typical seven, remain a mystery, the Times of Israel has reported.

The capital will be on display at the Jay and Jeanie Schottenstein National Campus for the Archaeology of Israel starting Thursday.

Written by B.C. Begley