Subscribe to Print Edition | Mon., July 06, 2009 Tamuz 14, 5769 | | Israel Time: 19:21 (EST+7)
Haaretz israel news English
web haaretz.com
Haaretz Toolbar
Diplomacy
Defense Jewish World Opinion National
Print Edition
Car Rental
Books Haaretz Magazine Business Real Estate Focus U.S.A. Travel Week's End Anglo File
The excavations on Mt. Zion. (IAA)
Share |
Last update - 00:00 03/09/2008
Wall of Second Temple-era Jerusalem found in Mt. Zion excavations
By Reuters
Tags: Israel Antiquities Authority 

Archaeologists on Wednesday unveiled a 2,100-year-old Jerusalem perimeter wall - along with beer bottles left behind by 19th century researchers who first discovered the stone defenses.

The wall, on Mount Zion at the southern edge of Jerusalem's Old City, dates back to the Second Jewish Temple, which was destroyed by the Romans in 70 C.E.

Yehiel Zelinger, who headed the excavation for the Israel Antiquities Authority, said the location of the wall indicated that Jerusalem had expanded to the south at the time, reaching its largest size in biblical times.
Advertisement
The 10.5-foot high wall was not supported by any mortar or other bonding material and formed part of a 3.5-mile-long fortification around the city, he said.

The present wall around Jerusalem's Old City is 2.5 miles in circumference.

The ancient wall on Mount Zion had disappeared from view by the time a similar stone barrier, also uncovered in the dig, was built at the site during the Byzantine period more than 250 years later. Nonetheless, the second wall followed almost exactly the same path.

"During these two periods, Jerusalem was the center... to the Jews during the Second Temple Period and to pilgrims from the Christian world [during the Byzantine Period]," Zelinger said.

British archaeologists surveyed the site in the 19th century, leaving behind a shoe and and beer and wine bottles, which Zelinger's team found and put on display Wednesday.

Related articles:
  • J'lem dig turns up gold coins from end of Second Temple period
  • Searching for the roots of tuberculosis in Jericho's ancient bones
  • There is no archaeological peace
    • PROMOTION: Mamilla Hotel
    Bookmark to del.icio.us  
     
    Netanyahu's Palestine
    PM tells cabinet that Israel has reached a consensus on a two-state solution.
    Bruno's Jewish moment
    Sacha Baron Cohen is back, with his highly anticipated film about a gay fashionista.
      1.   Second Temple`s southern wall can be...... 17:24  |  Nora 03/09/08
      2.   One step closer to 3rd temple 19:25  |  Gregor 03/09/08
      3.   While legit excavations like these are of historic value and are 19:46  |  lakshmi 03/09/08
      4.   G-d will restore His house 19:50  |  Nephtaly 03/09/08
      5.   This article should include a map 20:33  |  Steve 03/09/08
      6.   A cry of anger from Heaven: 20:43  |  Akram Zekaria 03/09/08
      7.   THE TEMPLE, THE ARK, AND THE KORAN 21:04  |  Barry S Roffman 03/09/08
      8.   1# Nora : The first of the `deniers` are Olmert & Kadima. 21:08  |  Akram Zekaria 03/09/08
      9.   lakshmi - As long as it is done with safety measures 21:23  |  David Israel 03/09/08
      10.   our temple 21:37  |  bobby 03/09/08
      11.   Little be little the G-dless will learn of Torah`s truth 21:55  |  nuchem 03/09/08
      12.   #3 Lakshmi there will be the coming of the new Temple soon 22:02  |  Big Sur 03/09/08
      13.   aMEIN NEPHTALY #4 22:05  |  Big Sur 03/09/08
      14.   Lakshmi: "The reports are that sharon walked around" 22:25  |  Freethinker 03/09/08
      15.   Sometimes religous, mostly political 00:42  |  R`faelMoshe 04/09/08
      16.   THEY FOUND A WALL! 04:11  |  Fritz 04/09/08
      17.   #1 everyone knows the second temple existed 05:45  |  johnj 04/09/08
      18.   #17,johnj, did you read what you just wrote?? 11:15  |  nina 04/09/08
      19.   9 David israel, Freethinker,zionists: David israel, last year 20:57  |  lakshmi 04/09/08
    Special Offers
    Advertisement
    hotel Jerusalem
    David Citadel Hotel, come stay at the finest of Jerusalem hotels.
    ISRAEL ARMY SURPLUS STORE
    IDF insignia,Uniforms, Paladium Boots Watches, Israel Army T-shirts & Collectibles
    Dead Sea Skin Care
    Quality cosmetics from the Dead Sea. Coupon code HAARETZ for 12% off!
    Eldan Rent a Car
    Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on online reservations
    Junkyard
    Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt
    More Headlines
    18:42 Livni: Netanyahu doesn't really believe in two-state solution
    16:50 'Migron outpost will be emptied within year, by force or by consent'
    19:00 Lieberman: Sarkozy's remark was a 'regrettable' verbal slip
    14:42 Hamas accuses Fatah of spying for Israel in Gaza
    15:35 This is what is wrong with a Jewish state
    17:38 Palestinian youngsters make music in former prison
    17:02 Noam Shalit to UN: My son's abduction sparked Gaza turmoil
    22:16 WATCH: Daily news round-up from Israel
    18:51 Barak: Gaps with U.S. remain over West Bank settlements
    16:58 Peres: Syria won't get Golan on a 'silver platter'
    17:38 Was a recently uncovered quarry used to build the Second Temple?
    11:42 Israel seeks 'Plan B' if U.S.-Iran talks fail
    09:19 Iran vows 'real and decisive' response if attacked by Israel
    10:53 U.S. and Russia agree on deal for cuts to nuclear weapons
    Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Site rules |
    | Israel 2009 election results | Makom: Engaging on Israel
    | Search engine marketing
    Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.
    © Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved