Excavation Reveals Spot Where Romans Breached Jerusalem's Wall 2,000 Years Ago

News Staff : Oct 20, 2016
Breaking Israel News/JNI Media

Josephus described in detail the route of the wall that began at Hippicus Tower, which is now identified with David's Citadel.

(Israel)—[Breaking Israel News] Exciting evidence of the breaching of the third wall that surrounded Jerusalem at the end of the Second Temple period was uncovered last winter in the Russian Compound at the city center. The discovery was made in an archaeological excavation the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) conducted in the location where the new campus of the Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design is slated to be built. In the course of the excavation, archaeologists discovered the remains of a tower jutting from the city wall. Opposite the tower's western facade were scores of ballista and sling stones that the Romans had fired from catapults at the Jewish guards who were stationed at the top of the tower. (Photo: Yoli Shwartz, courtesy of the Israel Antiquities Authority)

According to Dr. Rina Avner and Kfir Arbib, excavation directors on behalf of the IAA, "This is a fascinating testimony of the intensive bombardment by the Roman army, led by Titus, on their way to conquering the...

Click here to continue reading.