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A fortified structure burned by the Hasmoneans was uncovered in the Lachish Forest Israel today

2021-11-16T06:39:14.872Z


The testimonies discovered by the Israel Antiquities Authority including; Weapons, burnt wooden beams, dozens of coins and a fortified structure from the Hellenistic period illustrate the battle that took place between the Hasmoneans and the Slovaks some 2,100 years ago.


The Israel Antiquities Authority announced this morning (Tuesday) that a fortified structure from the Hellenistic period, destroyed and burned by the Hasmoneans, was unearthed during the Authority's excavations in the Lachish Forest in the Judean Plain.

"The destruction of the building is apparently related to the conquest of the area by the Hasmonean John Hyrcanus, around 112 BC," say archaeologists from the Israel Antiquities Authority.

A building from the Hellenistic period unearthed in PA excavations in the Lachish Forest, November 2021 // Photo: Emil Aljem, Israel Antiquities Authority

The testimonies including;

Weapons, burnt wooden beams, dozens of coins and a fortified structure from the Hellenistic period illustrate the battle that took place between the Hasmoneans and the Slovaks about 2,100 years ago, are currently being unearthed in excavations by the Israel Antiquities Authority in the Lachish Forest area.

The excavations are being carried out as part of the project to establish Derech Malkei Yehuda in cooperation with the Jewish National Fund, funded by a landmark project at the Ministry of Jerusalem and Heritage, and with the participation of students from Eretz Israel and Archeology.

Weapons from the Battle of the Building, Photo: Saar Ganor, Israel Antiquities Authority

Saar Ganor, Vladik Lifshitz and Achinam Montagio, the excavation directors of the Israel Antiquities Authority, stated that "the site we uncovered illustrates, in fact, the stories of Hanukkah. "From a Hasmonean attack. But according to the findings on the ground, the Slovak defense did not succeed. The structure we discovered underwent significant destruction and burning by the Hasmoneans."

A building measuring 15 by 15 m, which was designed as a well-fortified unit, was discovered in the excavation.

The outer walls, which are not less than 3 meters wide, were built of large stones, and an external wall shaped like a slope, which protects against climbing.

In its interior, the fortified building is divided into seven rooms, which have been preserved to an extraordinary height of about 2 meters.

A staircase, which led to a second floor, which did not survive, was exposed in the excavation.

It can be estimated that the height of the building was about five meters.

Remains of a burnt wooden beam, Photo: Saar Ganor IAA

The site where the fortified structure was exposed is located at the top of a high hill, which dominated the main road that passed through the Lachish River, which in ancient times connected the coastal plain to the main mountain boulevard.

From the building you can overlook Marsa - the largest city in the area, which was the capital of Adomia in the Hellenistic period.

Students from the Ministry of Education's Studies in Israel and Archeology, from schools in Be'er Sheva, Dimona and Nitzan, participated in the excavation, as part of the activities of the administration, education and bringing the community closer to the Antiquities Authority.

Students discover their history "through their hands" as part of their studies for a matriculation certificate in the profession and turning the archeological excavation into a learning scientific laboratory.

In addition, students from the Asher Ruach preparatory school for at-risk youth from Mitzpe Ramon took part in the excavations, as part of a week aimed at making a significant contribution to the community.

During the excavation, thousands of large stones were removed, which collapsed from the top of the building.

Beneath them, a layer of destruction about half a meter thick was discovered.

Hundreds of finds were discovered within this stratum, including pottery, slingshots, iron weapons, burnt wooden beams, and dozens of coins that could be dated to the end of the second century BC.

Finds unearthed at the site, Photo: Davida Dagan-Eisenberg, Israel Antiquities Authority

Archaeologists added that "based on the findings and the coins, the destruction of the structure can be attributed to the conquest of the Homeric region of John Hyrcanus by John Hyrcanus, around 112 BCE." The Hasmoneans, who began their rebellion against the Hellenistic rule and the House of Celebus, following the decrees of Antiochus IV and harming their Jewish lifestyles, waged many battles against the Slovak army. The conquests of John Hyrcanus, described in the Book of Maccabees and by the historian Yosef ben Matityahu, led to the expansion of the Hasmonean state to the south.

Eli Escozido, director of the Israel Antiquities Authority, commented on the discovery and said: "The stories of the Maccabees are revived before our eyes, and this is the magic of the work of the Israel Antiquities Authority: the archaeologists, in hard and strenuous work "The Hasmonean victory over the Hellenists, which then led, for the first time, to the establishment of an independent and sovereign Jewish entity. The Hasmoneans certainly could not have imagined that in 2,000 years, students living in the State of Israel would follow in their footsteps.



Excavations at the site, Photo: Emil Aljem, Israel Antiquities Authority

The Minister of Construction and Housing, Jerusalem and Heritage, Zeev Elkin welcomed the discovery and said: "The impressive discoveries in the excavation project in the Lachish region, present and illustrate the story of our wonderful and special land and the story of Hanukkah. "A day for change and development of the heritage sites and history in our country. During the upcoming Hanukkah holiday, we will mark Heritage Week all over the country, and I invite the general public to come and connect, discover and get excited about the heritage sites in the country."

The Minister of Culture and Sports, Hili Trooper, praised the Israel Antiquities Authority and said: "The Antiquities Authority's new and fascinating discovery is a typical example of how well-known and beloved heritage stories become historical and archeological stories. "In fact, the stories of Hanukkah. The importance of the event took another leap, with dozens of young people taking part in the excavations, who were given a rare opportunity to meet face to face with the history of the Jewish people.

At the end of the excavations, the building will be preserved and developed, and it will be open to the general public in cooperation with the southern part of the Jewish National Fund, as one of the points of visit on the "Road of the Kings of Judah".

Source: israelhayom

All news articles on 2021-11-16

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