Israeli archaeologists on Tuesday (November 16th) unveiled the rubble of an ancient Greek fortified structure dating from around 2100 years “
destroyed
” during the Maccabean Revolt, a Jewish rebellion in Judea against the Seleucid dynasty.
Excavation work has released a structure measuring 15 by 15 meters, with stone walls less than 3 meters high, surrounding a building about five meters high and divided into seven rooms, said the 'Israel Antiquities Authority.
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"
It seems that we have discovered a building which was part of a line of fortifications created by the commanders of the Greek army, in order to protect the great Greek city of Maresha from an offensive by the Hasmoneans
", dynasties of Judea, have indicated the directors of the excavations in a joint statement.
Archaeologist Saar Ganor presents pottery discovered on the site.
GIL COHEN-MAGEN / AFP
“
However, the findings at the site show that the defense of the Seleucids (a Greek dynasty then reigning over a large portion of the Middle East) was not successful.
The building was burnt and destroyed by the Hasmoneans,
”they add.
These items “
show tangible evidence of Hanukkah stories
,” they argue, one of the most important Jewish holidays celebrated this year from November 28.
The Maccabean revolt led to the capture of Jerusalem, the reestablishment of Jewish worship at the Temple in Jerusalem, and the Hasmonean dynasty that ruled Judea until about 40 BC.
However, the return to the Jewish ritual inside the Temple, the most sacred place in Judaism, is rightly commemorated by the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah.
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Archaeological research remains a sensitive subject in Israel and the Palestinian Territories where the results of work are sometimes used by associations or parties to base their claims on places of memory, disputed lands or ancient stories.
Israeli Construction Minister Zeev Elkin on Tuesday welcomed these "
impressive discoveries
" which "
prove
" the Hanukkah story.
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