When you buy through linkup on our site , we may realise an affiliate commission . Here ’s how it works .
A mess of ancient ceramic roofing tiles recover at a national common in Jerusalem may be linked to the chronicle ofHanukkah .
The 16 roofing tile fragment — which date to around the second hundred B.C. , during the Hellenistic full point — are the oldest roofing tiles ever find in Israel and were brought there during the sovereignty of the Greek Hellenistic magnate described in the Hanukkah story . According to the account , Antiochus IV Epiphanes invaded Jerusalem , defiled the tabernacle and prevented Jews from practicing their faith , which ultimately led to theMaccabean Revolt . The event is commemorated as part of the Judaic holiday Hanukkah .
Two of the roof tile fragments found during excavations at the City of David National Park in Jerusalem.
Related : Ancient Israel : chronicle of the realm and dynasty make by ancient Jewish people
The new determination confirms the presence of Seleucid Greeks in the city during this time geological period .
" Until now , we had small material evidence for the bearing of the Seleucid Greeks in Jerusalem,“Filip Vukosavović , a aged archaeologist and researcher with the IAA who was part of the archeological site , write in the postal service . " The newfangled cap tiles discovered in the City of David provide touchable remains of the Seleucid Greek comportment in the neighborhood , linking us with the news report of Hanukkah . It ’s very exciting to meet the Seleucid ruler Antiochus IV ' typeface - to - face ' almost 2,200 years after the events of Hanukkah . "
— Ancient ' bane tablet ' may show former Hebraical name of God
— Ancient ' ritual bath ' and elite villa unearthed by Jerusalem ’s Western Wall
— 2,000 - year - old Harlan F. Stone receipt discovered in Jerusalem
As part of the invasion , the Hellenic king built a fortress using the ceramic roofing tile , which would have been deliberate strange building materials at the time , since their fragility would have made them susceptible to the elements , according to the post .
" Tiles were very rare in our region during this point , and they were alien to local structure traditions , show that the proficiency of using tiles to roof part of a tower or a structure inside that notable fortress was convey from Greek - controlled sphere by foreign rulers , " they pen in the post .
