Israeli diggers uncover parts of ancient wall

[September 04, 2008]  JERUSALEM (AP) -- Israeli archaeologists say they have uncovered new sections of Jerusalem's ancient walls, continuing a project started more than a century ago.

Yehiel Zelinger of the Israel Antiquities Authority said Wednesday that he located two wall segments just south of the Old City. The project continues work begun in the 1890s by American archaeologist Frederick Bliss and his British assistant, Archibald Dickie. The two tunneled along the length of the ancient wall and marked its route.

The modern diggers found beer bottles, a lamp and a shoe that Bliss and Dickie's team left behind.

They also found part of a wall built by the Hasmonean dynasty 2,100 years ago, and another section built by Byzantine rulers five centuries later.

The find will help scholars accurately outline the borders of historical Jerusalem.

[Associated Press]

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