Archaeologists uncover intact section of ancient Jerusalem wall from Hanukkah era

Archaeologists have uncovered the longest remains of an ancient wall that once encircled Jerusalem during the time of Hanukkah. The excavation was completed last week. It reveals a section of the Hasmonean wall foundation built a few decades after the Hanukkah story. This wall is almost 50 meters long and 5 meters wide and once held taller structures than the current Old City walls. Experts believe the wall was purposefully dismantled, possibly due to a ceasefire agreement in 132 or 133 BC between Jewish king John Hyrcanus I and Hellenistic King Antiochus the Seventh. The findings will be part of a new museum exhibit.