More Amazing Archaeological Finds In Old Jerusalem

Along the same underground path, what is being called a sewage lane, near Har Habayit coming from the Shiloach Pool of Ir David, where the 2000 year old Golden Bell was recently found, the archaeologists just made another fascinating discovery.

They found a  2000 year old iron sword inside a leather sheath. The archaeologists think the sword was one belonging to the Romans who were here at the time.

In addition, they found in the dirt of the path an earthenware vessel that had etched into it an image of the menora.

While images of the menora have often been used to try to determine what the original menora looked like, as that issue is subject to a machloket, I am not sure how this image could be used to help make that determination. The image has only 5 branches rather than the 7 we know it should have. It looks like it might have been hastily etched. As well, while the arms seem to be more straight than rounded, it is possible that it was simply too difficult to make an accurate depiction while etching, likely with crude materials rather than by a professional with proper materials for a real rendering. They point to the base as well, and to the flat strip across the top of the branches as possibly being indicative of how the original menora might have appeared.
(source: Ladaat)