Over Forty-Metre Maccabean Wall Unearthed Beneath Jerusalem’s Tower of David

Maccabean Wall Revealed in Exceptional Preservation

A Hasmonean-period Jerusalem city wall dating to the late second century BCE has been uncovered at the Tower of David complex. The discovery was made during an Israel Antiquities Authority excavation conducted ahead of the development of the new Schulich Wing of Archaeology, Art and Innovation at the Kishle.

The uncovering reveals one of the most intact and longest sections of a Maccabean wall found in Jerusalem. The structure was exposed on the grounds adjacent to the citadel within the Kishle complex.

According to Excavation Directors Amit Re’im and Marion Zindel, “The newly uncovered section, known in ancient historical sources as the ‘First Wall’, is particularly impressive in both its size and its degree of preservation — over forty metres long, and about five metres wide. The wall is meticulously built of large, heavy stones, with a chiselled boss typical of this period. Originally, the massive wall rose to a height of more than ten metres! But today, only a stump remains. During the Second Temple period, the Hasmonean city wall also surrounded Mount Zion, where sections of it have been found, as well as in the City of David, in the Citadel of David courtyard, and alongside the outer façade of the western city wall of Jerusalem’s Old City.”

Historical references describe the scale and layout of this wall. The first-century CE historian Josephus recorded the course of the wall, its gates, and its 60 towers, and described it as “impregnable”. Re’im and Zindel state, “There is much more to this wall than meets the eye. It was systematically destroyed and razed to the ground. This is predetermined destruction – not the result of the ravages of time, nor of a random enemy attack, but a deliberate execution of a well-planned action. This raises questions about who was responsible for the wall’s destruction.”

Researchers present two possible explanations. One is that the Hasmoneans themselves dismantled the wall under an agreement with Antiochus VII Sidetes during the Seleucid siege of 134–132 BCE. Josephus reported that the leader, John Hyrcanus I, reached a settlement requiring the fortifications of Jerusalem to be removed.

Another possibility is that King Herod ordered the destruction to distinguish his rule from the Hasmoneans. The demolition of their structures may have been intended to emphasise political transition.

Material evidence connected to the conflict between Hyrcanus and Sidetes was identified near the newly revealed section. Excavations in the 1980s by Renee Sivan and Giora Solar uncovered numerous Hellenistic-period catapult stones, arrowheads, slingstones and lead bullets at the base of the First Wall. These objects indicated weapons used during the Siege of Sidetes. The projectiles were unable to penetrate the wall and accumulated at its base. Some items are now displayed in an exhibition at the Tower of David Jerusalem Museum.

Eilat Lieber, Director of the Tower of David Jerusalem Museum, said, “The archaeological excavation by the Israel Antiquities Authority was conducted in preparation for the creation of the new ‘Schulich Wing of Archaeology, Art and Innovation’. We are committed to preserving this impressive and unique sight and allowing the general public to experience this tangible link to Jerusalem’s past, spanning thousands of years. In the new wing, visitors will stand on a transparent floor above these ancient stones, and, together with interpretations of contemporary artists, this wing will bring a new connection to the history and heritage of the city.”

During Hanukkah, the Tower of David Jerusalem Museum will hold the ‘Hanukkah of Heroes’ programme, including family activities and guided tours across the citadel. Information and registration are available on the museum website.