Israelite Tower

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Israelite Tower
Hasmonean
Site notes
Excavation dates1969-1982
ArchaeologistsNahman Avigad
Public accesslimited
Map of Jerusalem's Jewish Quarter. The Israelite Tower stands north of the Broad Wall (number 4)

The Israelite Tower (

Hasmonean city walls. It was excavated by Israeli archaeologist Nahman Avigad during the 1970s. Finds unearthed at the site attest to the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem
in 586 BCE.

Excavation

Between 1969 and 1982 Nahman Avigad conducted extensive excavations in the

First Temple Period) fortifications. One of these was the Israelite Tower, described as "one of the most impressive fortification remains from biblical times to have been found in the Land of Israel".[1]

Israelite Tower

Slightly north of the

sherds characteristic of the 8th and 7th centuries BCE.[2] Avigad identified the tower as the corner of a four-chambered gatehouse in Jerusalem's northern wall, perhaps the "Middle Gate" mentioned in Jeremiah 39:3. It had been built to protect the city's vulnerable northern perimeter, probably during the 8th century BCE but perhaps during the reign of Menasseh in the 7th century BCE.[2][3] It is physically close to the Broad Wall, built during the reign of king Hezekiah, but appears to have come into use after the Broad Wall had already fallen into disuse.[1]

Finds at the tower attest to a battle. On the last day of the 1975 excavation season, Avigad's team unearthed four arrowheads buried in the layer of soot and ashes at the base of the tower. One was made of iron and the other three of bronze, including one distinguished from the others by three triangular fins and a hollow socket for the shaft. This was identified as a

Scytho-Iranian type in widespread use by Babylonian archers after 600 BCE.[2] As the pottery found within the conflagration layer is dated earlier than 586 BCE, the range of dates for the possible battle at the site is reduced significantly. The four arrowheads are therefore likely remnants of the Babylonian siege and destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BCE. They are thought to be the first remains ever recovered of the Babylonian siege, having come to rest in the ashes of the burning city, as described in 2 Kings 25.[1][2][4]

Avigad's discoveries also provided an answer to a contemporary debate about the extent of Iron Age Jerusalem. Before the excavation of the Jewish quarter, scholars had been divided between those that believed the city had been confined to its eastern ridge, including the

Hinnom Valley in the west and had encompassed the entire southwestern hill.[1][2]

Hasmonean Tower

Abutting and incorporating the Israelite Tower are the remains of another tower and city wall.

Simon during the 2nd century BCE. A nearby gap between fragments of the wall hints that another city gate stood at the site, possibly the Gennath gate also mentioned by Josephus.[2][3][6][7]

Access

The Israelite Tower is located at the modern junction of Plugot HaKotel and Shonei HaLakhot streets,[3] preserved underneath a school.[4] Access is limited and requires reservation.

See also

References

Notes

  1. ^ a b c d e Geva 2003
  2. ^ a b c d e f Singer 2011
  3. ^ a b c d Winter 1999, pp. 149-150
  4. ^ a b Price 1997, p. 234
  5. ^ Josephus, The Wars of the Jews 5:142-145,159
  6. ^ Ronen 1984, pp. 116-117
  7. ^ Rocca 2008, pp. 14-15

Bibliography

  • Geva, Hillel (2003). "Western Jerusalem at the end of the First Temple Period in Light of the Excavations in the Jewish Quarter". In Vaughn, Andrew G; Killebrew, Ann E (eds.). Jerusalem in Bible and archaeology: the First Temple period. Society of Biblical Literature. pp. 183–208.
    ISBN 978-1-58983-066-0
    .
  • Josephus, Flavius. William Whiston, A.M., translator (1895). The Works of Flavius Josephus. Auburn and Buffalo, New York: John E. Beardsley. Retrieved 15 July 2010.
  • Price, Randall (1997). The Stones Cry Out. Harvest House.
    ISBN 978-1-56507-640-2
    .
  • Rocca, Samuel (2008). The Forts of Judaea 168 BC – AD 73. Oxford, United Kingdom: Osprey Publishing.
    ISBN 978-1-84603-171-7
    .
  • Ronen, Israel (1984). ירושלים לדורותיה, מעיר-מקדש לבירת ממלכת החשמונאים (in Hebrew). Open University of Israel.
    ISBN 978-965-06-1075-3
    .
  • Singer, Suzanne F. (2011). "Jerusalem's Babylonian Siege Tower". In Corbet, Joey (ed.). Top Ten Biblical Archaeology Discoveries (PDF). Washington, DC: Biblical Archaeology Society.
  • Winter, Dave (1999). Israel Handbook. Footprint Travel Guides.
    ISBN 978-1-900949-48-4
    .

External links
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