Ancient wall linked to King Herod uncovered in Jerusalem

Excavations of the wall in Jerusalem. Photo: Israel Antiquities Authority

Archaeologists in Israel have uncovered part of the ancient city walls on the grounds of the Tower of David in Jerusalem. The section dates back to the 2nd century BC, and was likely built following the famous revolt of the Maccabees against the Seleucids, reports Christian Today. 

The excavation directors on behalf of the Israel Antiquities Authority, said of the find, “The newly uncovered section, known in ancient historical sources as the ‘First Wall’, is particularly impressive in both its size and its degree of preservation – over 40 meters long, and about 5 meters wide.

Archaeologists have hypothesized that the wall was destroyed "deliberately and systematically" under the leadership of John Hyrcanus I or Herod the Great, mentioned by the evangelist Matthew (Matt. 2).

Earlier, the UOJ wrote that in Turkey, archaeologists found a 6th-century church on the site of an ancient Roman hospital.

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