2nd Temple Period Jerusalem Wall Unearthed

November 24, 2008

Also discovered was a tower with a height of 3.2 meters (10.5 feet), built on bedrock that was made fairly level. It was constructed of large stones with borders around the outside edge and dressed boss in their center and no bonding material between them. The “header-stretcher” construction method used (rectangular stones laid with long and short sides alternating) is typical of the Hasmonean Period. The wall and fortifications are part of what Josephus, the first-century historian, called the “First Wall.”

However, on top of the Hasmonean line was found another wall dating to the Byzantine Period (AD 324–640). In the fifth century AD, Empress Eudocia was expelled by her husband Emperor Theodosius II and chose to spend her exile in Jerusalem. Once here, she became religious and started building and upgrading the city.

According to the historical sources of this period, the city wall was erected because of Psalm 51:18, “Do good in thy good pleasure [favor] unto Zion; build thou the walls of Jerusalem” (KJV). In translating the Bible to Greek, the word that meant “do good in thy favor” was translated with a word that greatly resembled the name of the empress. In Hebrew, the verb “to build” was in a feminine future form, making it to read, “she will build the walls of Zion.” Eudocia, therefore, concluded that the reference was explicitly intended for her, and that it was she who was destined to build the walls of Jerusalem.

In the excavation, a section of Eudocia’s city wall was uncovered that rises to a maximum height of 3.3 meters (10.8 feet) and is approximately 2.5 meters (8.2 feet) wide. Archaeologist Yehiel Zelinger said, “The exposure of the Hasmonean city wall and the line of fortifications from the Byzantine period, which is dated 400 years later and is right on top of the former, prove that this is the most advantageous topographic location for the defense of the city. The artifacts indicate that, in spite of the fact that the builders of the Byzantine wall were unaware of the existence of the wall from the time of the Second Temple, they constructed their wall precisely along the same route. The fact that after 2,100 years, the remains of the first city wall were preserved to a height of three meters is amazing. This is one of the most beautiful and complete sections of construction in the Hasmonean building style to be found in Jerusalem”.

Other parts of the “First Wall” have been found in former excavations of the Old City. The project is part of a master plan for the Jerusalem City Wall National Park, in which this city wall will be incorporated in a promenade that will encircle the southern side of Mount Zion, continue along the northern bank of the Hinnom Valley, and terminate in the City of David.

Photo Credit: Photo: IAA