Motza (Colonia): Ancient and Modern at Jerusalem’s Doorstep

Motza (Colonia) is a small community at the western entrance to Jerusalem, sitting on the remains of an ancient settlement that has been inhabited for thousands of years. Recent archaeological discoveries at Motza have revealed one of the most significant finds in biblical archaeology: a massive Neolithic settlement dating to approximately 9,000 years ago, making it one of the largest prehistoric sites ever found near Jerusalem. The site sits along the main road ascending to the city from the coastal plain, a route that has served as Jerusalem’s western gateway since antiquity.

Neolithic Discovery

In 2019, excavations ahead of highway construction uncovered a massive settlement approximately 9,000 years old, covering approximately 30 to 40 hectares and home to an estimated 2,000-3,000 people. The settlement contained stone buildings, storage facilities, animal pens, and evidence of early agriculture. Among the most striking finds were human figurines, flint tools, and large storage silos that suggest the community was producing and storing surplus grain on a significant scale. The discovery changed the understanding of the Jerusalem area’s prehistory, proving that large, organized communities existed in the Judean hills far earlier than previously believed.

The ongoing excavations at Motza continue to produce surprises. Among the most intriguing finds are animal figurines and stone masks that suggest ritual practices in the Neolithic community, as well as evidence of long-distance trade connections: obsidian from Anatolia and shells from the Mediterranean have been found at the site. These discoveries indicate that even 9,000 years ago, the community at Motza was not isolated but was part of a network of exchange that stretched across the ancient Near East.

Biblical Connection and the Second Temple Period

Motza may be the biblical Mozah, a town in the territory of Benjamin listed in Joshua 18:26. In the Second Temple period, the town was known as Colonia (the Roman name, reflecting a settlement of Roman veterans), and it was the source of the willow branches used in the Sukkot water-drawing ceremony at the Temple. The Mishnah records: “They would go down to Motza and gather large willow branches” (Sukkah 4:5). The willow branches were tall enough that when placed alongside the altar, their tops bent over it. Each day of the festival, priests would descend from Jerusalem to Motza to cut fresh branches, and the procession back up to the Temple became part of the joyful celebration. This detail places Motza firmly within the ritual life of the Temple and connects the geography of the Jerusalem hills to the sacred calendar of the Jewish year.

The Temple Discovery

In addition to the Neolithic settlement, archaeologists at Motza discovered the remains of what appears to be a temple or ritual complex from the Iron Age (approximately the 9th century BCE). The building, which contained figurines, a stone altar, and cultic vessels, may represent a local place of worship that operated during the period of the Israelite monarchy. If confirmed, this would be one of only a handful of Israelite-period temples found outside of Jerusalem, raising fascinating questions about the religious practices of the Judean population during the First Temple period and the relationship between centralized worship in Jerusalem and local cultic activity in the surrounding hills.

Visit with Hoshen Tours

Motza adds a prehistoric and ritual dimension to the Jerusalem story. Hoshen Tours includes the site in the context of Jerusalem’s deep history, connecting the Neolithic settlement, the biblical references, and the Second Temple pilgrimage traditions to show how this unassuming spot at Jerusalem’s doorstep has been a place of human activity for nearly ten thousand years. Hoshen Tours often combines this site with Chagall Windows Hadassah, Tomb of Lazarus, and Rachels Tomb for a memorable day exploring the region.