(Jerusalem Post) Daniel K. Eisenbud - The Israel Antiquities Authority on Tuesday announced an unprecedented find - a 4-meter-high building from the second century BCE Hasmonean period, covering 64 square meters, with 40 silver and bronze coins still lying on its floor. The structure, enclosed by walls made of limestone blocks more than a meter thick, was found earlier this year near the City of David National Park. The Hasmonean dynasty, descendants of the Maccabee family, ruled Judea and surrounding areas during 141-37 BCE. Dr. Doron Ben-Ami, one of the excavation's directors, said that while there were vivid descriptions of the Hasmonean city in the writings of Josephus Flavius, none of the Hasmonean city's buildings had been uncovered until now.
2013-12-04 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive