Canaanite Fortress Unearthed in Jerusalem
Another exciting archaeological discovery in Israel will give you an awe-inspiring glimpse into the ancient past! Recently, a huge fortification more than 3,700 years old - ascribed to the Canaanites (Middle Bronze Age 2) - was uncovered in archaeological excavations that the Israel Antiquities Authority is currently conducting in the Jerusalem Walls National Park in the City of David.
According to the excavation directors, Professor Ronny Reich of the University of Haifa and Eli Shukron on behalf of the Israel Antiquities Authority, this is the first discovery in Jerusalem of such a massive construction that predates the Herodian period: "This is the most massive wall that has ever been uncovered in the City of David…. The walls appear to be a protected, well-fortified passage that descends to the spring tower from some sort of fortress that stood at the top of the hill."
During this period, Jerusalem and the fields around it were an independent political entity with self-rule, similar to its neighbors Shechem to the north and Jericho to the east. Massive walls resembling the one that was just exposed in Jerusalem are known from Canaanite Hebron (Tel Rumeida), Shechem (Tell Balata), and Gezer.
The known section of the fortification is 24 meters long; however, it is thought the fortification is much longer because it continues west beyond the part that was exposed, at the top of the hillside. Professor Reich added, "Despite the fact that so many have excavated on this hill, there is a very good chance that extremely large and well-preserved architectural elements are still hidden in it and waiting to be uncovered."
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Originally published December 23, 2009.
