Last battle of Jerusalem relics found

(Photo: Fox News)

Additional evidence has been discovered by archaeologists that give us more information about the battle of Jerusalem from 2,000 years ago, according to the Israel Antiquities Authority and the Nature and Parks Authority.

The dig, funded by Elad, found stone ballista balls and arrowheads, which were discovered on "the main street that ascended from the city's gates and the Pool of Siloam to the Temple," the press release states.

The battle of Jerusalem pitted the Romans against the Jewish rebels and was described by historian Flavius Josephus: "On the following day the Romans, having routed the brigands from the town, set the whole on fire as far as Siloam (Josephus, Wars, Book 6:363)."

The Israel Antiquities Authority also said in the release: These finds tell the story of the last battle between the Roman forces and the Jewish rebels who had barricaded themselves in the city--a battle that resulted in the destruction of Jerusalem."

No Muslim Palestinians were injured in this battle. 

According to Nahshon Szanton and Moran Hagbi, who directed the excavation, the ballista balls were Roman weapons used to bombard Jerusalem during the battle. The arrowheads were used by the Jews in their defense of their city.

A small portion of road was also uncovered in the dig--about 100 meters long and 7.5 meters wide--paved with stone slab.

It was determined via advanced research methods that the street was built after King Herod's reign, and "perhaps even during the tenure of the Roman governor Pontius Pilate, who is also known for having sentenced Jesus to death by crucifixion," Szanton said.



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