Magnetic measurements have proven that during the time of the destruction of the First Temple another grand building in Jerusalem was burned, probably intentionally, and the floor of the upper story, held up by massive wooden beams, collapsed as a result of the fire.
For the first time in history, researchers from Tel Aviv University, the Hebrew University and the Israel Antiquities Authority have been able to measure earth's magnetic field in August of the year 586 BCE – revealing the immensity of the destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians.
The discovery of the magnetic field during the destruction of Jerusalem is a novel chronological anchor for archaeomagnetic dating – with specific-day accuracy.
The paper was published this year around the 9th of Av in the leading scientific journal PLOS ONE.