March 15, 2006

Archaeologists discover underground chambers

Archaeologists have discovered underground chambers and tunnels used during a Jewish revolt against the Romans nearly 2,000 years ago in northern Israel. Experts say Jews laid in supplies and were preparing to hide from the Romans during their revolt in AD 66-70. The pits, which are linked by short tunnels, would have served as a concealed subterranean home. A spokeswoman for the Israel Antiquities Authority says the find shows the ancient Jews planned and prepared for the uprising, contrary to the common perception that the revolt began spontaneously. The underground chambers at an Israeli Arab village north of Nazareth were built from housing materials common at the time and hidden directly beneath the floors of aboveground homes — giving families direct access to the hideouts. Other refuges found from the time of the revolt are hewn out of rock. The Jewish revolt against Roman rule ended in AD 70, when the Romans sacked Jerusalem and destroyed the Second Temple.


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