Archaeologists are excavating an ancient fortress dating back to the Hasmonean period. For the researchers, the find is proof of their successful revolt against the Seleucids.
Israeli archaeologists have unearthed a historic fortress in the Lachish Forest southwest of Jerusalem. Weapons, charred wooden beams, and dozens of coins were found among the remains of the Hellenistic structure. According to the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA), the site marks the location of a battle between the Greek Seleucids and the Hasmoneans, also known as the Maccabees, which took place approximately 2,100 years ago.
In a statement, the authorities said: “The excavation site provides tangible evidence for the Hanukkah stories. It appears that we have discovered a building that was part of a fortified line erected by Hellenistic military leaders to protect the great Hellenistic city of Maresha from a Hasmonean offensive.” The findings also indicate that the Seleucid defense was unsuccessful.
"History comes alive"
The fortress consisted of a 15 by 15 meter building, erected in 112 BC. The walls were 3 meters thick. Inside, there were seven rooms and a staircase leading to a second floor. Archaeologists estimate the original height of the structure to have been five meters.
Based on the coins and ceramics also found, the experts at the IAA assume that the destruction of the building was due to the conquest of the Idumea region. This conquest was led by the high priest and leader of the Hasmoneans, John Hyrcanus.
The director of the Antiquities Authority, Eli Eskosido, declared: “The stories of the Maccabees are coming alive before our eyes.” The Hasmonean victory over the Hellenists led to the founding of “the first independent, sovereign Jewish state.” This is what the Hanukkah story tells.
Unopened cistern discovered
Another excavation at the settlement of Itamar near Nablus also unearthed artifacts from the Hasmonean period. The most important find is a silver coin. The excavations also revealed a stone structure dating from the Second Temple period and a 2,000-year-old sealed cistern that had never been opened. It contains tools and vessels such as cooking pots. Furthermore, archaeologists discovered an olive press, a mikveh, and a Roman bronze coin minted in Nablus in the mid-3rd century AD. The coin depicts Mount Gerizim, which remains a sacred site for Samaritans to this day.
The excavation was carried out by a team from the Institute of Archaeology at Bar-Ilan University and Herzog College, supported by a team of volunteers. According to the researchers, the finds indicate the former existence of a rural community that reached its peak between the end of the Second Temple period and the Roman era.
It is inevitable with such excavations that Jewish finds in the West Bank, formerly conquered by Jordan and now occupied by Israel, are also used for political purposes. The head of the Samaria Regional Council, Yossi Dagan, said: “The land speaks. The archaeological artifacts discovered in Samaria support the current Jewish settlement. If anyone had any doubts about who once inhabited these hills, the land proves it.”
