The Khirbet Qeiyafa ruins, believed to be remnants of King David's palace. Photo: Hebrew University of Jerusalem, the Israel Antiquities Authorities and Skyview.

JNS.org – Two large structures believed to have been a part of King David’s palace have been unearthed in a joint seven-year excavation led by the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and the Israel Antiquities Authority, the two announced Wednesday.

The discovery was made in the site of the ancient city of Khirbet Qeiyafa, located southwest of Jerusalem and borders Beit Shemesh and the Elah Valley, Israel Hayom reported. The city dates back to the early 10th century B.C.E., and archeologists believe it met a sudden end around 980 B.C.E.

Antiquities Authority researchers Professor Yossi Garfinkel and Saar Ganor identified one of the structures as King David’s palace and the other as a large storehouse structure on the royal compound, which, according to archaeologists, stretched some 1,000 square meters (about 11,000 square feet).

“The ruins are the best example to date of the uncovered fortress city of King David. … This is indisputable evidence of the existence of a central administration in Judea during the time of King David,” the Antiquities Authority said.