What's happened
Recent excavations in Jerusalem uncovered significant sections of Hasmonean and First Temple period walls, including evidence of deliberate destruction and reuse by later rulers. The findings deepen understanding of Jerusalem’s ancient fortifications and historical conflicts, with artifacts and structures dating back over 2,000 years. The discoveries will be displayed in upcoming museum exhibitions.
What's behind the headline?
The recent discoveries of Jerusalem’s walls highlight the city’s strategic importance and turbulent history. The deliberate dismantling of the Hasmonean wall, possibly by King Herod to assert dominance or erase previous rulers, underscores how rulers used architecture as a political statement. The evidence of destruction aligns with historical accounts of sieges and political upheaval, such as Antiochus VII Sidetes’ attack and subsequent ceasefire. These findings challenge the assumption that ancient fortifications remained intact, revealing instead a history of destruction, reuse, and political messaging. The uncovering of walls beneath Herod’s palace foundations suggests a deliberate attempt to erase or repurpose earlier structures, reflecting the complex power dynamics in Jerusalem’s history. The ongoing excavations will likely reshape understanding of Jerusalem’s defensive strategies and political symbolism, with implications for how future archaeological and historical narratives are constructed. This deepens the appreciation of Jerusalem not just as a religious center but as a city shaped by continuous conflict and political maneuvering, which will influence both academic research and cultural heritage preservation.
What the papers say
The Times of Israel and NY Post provide detailed accounts of the recent excavations, emphasizing the significance of the walls’ size, preservation, and historical context. The Times of Israel highlights the layered history visible in the archaeological remains, including the Hasmonean and First Temple periods, and the potential political motives behind the dismantling of the walls. The NY Post focuses on the recent completion of the excavation of the foundation of Jerusalem’s walls, linking it to the historical siege by Antiochus VII Sidetes and the political implications of Herod’s possible involvement. Both sources underscore the importance of these findings in understanding Jerusalem’s ancient history, with The Times of Israel offering a broader cultural perspective and the NY Post emphasizing the archaeological breakthrough.
How we got here
Archaeological excavations in Jerusalem have uncovered well-preserved sections of the city’s ancient walls, dating back to the Hasmonean period around 140 BCE. These findings follow recent discoveries of the foundations of Jerusalem’s fortifications, which have revealed evidence of destruction and rebuilding over centuries. The excavations are part of ongoing efforts to explore Jerusalem’s layered history, including its periods of siege, conquest, and reconstruction, often linked to the city’s religious and political significance.
Go deeper
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Jerusalem is a city in the Middle East, located on a plateau in the Judaean Mountains between the Mediterranean and the Dead Sea.
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Herod I, also known as Herod the Great, was a Roman client king of Judea, referred to as the Herodian kingdom. He is known for his colossal building projects throughout Judea, including his renovation of the Second Temple in Jerusalem and the expansion of