The Lower City of Jerusalem on the Eve of Its Destruction, 70 c.e. A View From Hanyon Givati

This article deals with an architectural complex dating to the Early Roman period recently unearthed in Jerusalem. The complex, which consists of a large edifice and a purification annex, featured solid dates that mark both its phase of foundation as well as its demise. Accordingly, its construction is dated to the first century c.e.; the scores of coins found buried in the destruction layer inside the building date its end to the time of the First Jewish Revolt in the year 70 c.e. This striking complex makes a significant contribution to our understanding of the urban layout of the Lower City of Jerusalem on the eve of its destruction. In the numerous excavations conducted in the past 100 years throughout the Lower City, no building constructions of large scale dating to the Early Roman period were uncovered. This was the reason behind the widely accepted view of the Lower City as a rather poor neighborhood, lacking wealthy structures. However, excavations carried out in recent years in Jerusalem seem to have succeeded in modifying this opinion.