Ancient Fortress Uncovers a Maccabean Battle Tale

An ancient fortified structure from the Hellenistic period, destroyed and burned by the Maccabees, has recently been uncovered during an excavation by the Israel Antiquities Authority in the Lachish Forest of the Judean lowlands. Findings from the excavation—including weapons, burnt wooden beams, and dozens of coins—provide tangible evidence of a battle that occurred at the site between the Maccabees and the Seleucids over 2,100 years ago.

Saar Ganor, Vladik Lifshits, and Achinoam Montagu, directors of the excavation on behalf of the Israel Antiquities Authority, explained: "The site we've uncovered sets the Hanukkah story in stone. It appears we've discovered a structure that was part of a fortification system built by Hellenistic military leaders to defend the large Hellenistic city of Maresha from a Maccabean attack. However, according to the site's findings, the Seleucid defenses were unsuccessful; the structure we found suffered significant destruction and burning by the Maccabees."

The uncovered building measures 15 by 15 meters and was designed as a well-fortified unit. Its outer walls, no less than three meters thick, were constructed from large stones and featured a sloped exterior to prevent climbing. Inside, the fortified building was divided into seven rooms, preserved to an exceptional height of about two meters. During the excavation, a staircase was revealed leading to a second floor, which has not survived. It's estimated that the building's height reached about five meters.

The site where the fortified building was revealed sits atop a high hill, dominating the main route that ran through the Lachish Valley. This road connected the coastal plain with the central mountain range in ancient times. From the structure, one could overlook Maresha, the largest city in the area and the capital of Idumea in the Hellenistic period.

During the excavation, thousands of large stones that collapsed from the upper part of the building were removed. Beneath them, a thick destruction layer of about half a meter was discovered, containing hundreds of artifacts—including pottery, sling stones, iron weapons, burnt wooden beams, and dozens of coins that can be dated to the late second century BCE. Archaeologists state, "Based on the findings and coins, we attribute the building's destruction to the conquests of John Hyrcanus, the Hasmonean, in the Idumea region, around 112 BCE."

The Maccabees, who initiated their revolt against Hellenistic rule and the Seleucid dynasty following the decrees of Antiochus IV that disrupted Jewish life, engaged in numerous battles with the Seleucid army. John Hyrcanus's conquests expanded the Hasmonean state southward.

The excavations are part of the "Kings of Judah Road" project in cooperation with Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael and funded by the Landmarks Project of the Ministry of Jerusalem and Heritage. Participants include students from the Ministry of Education's Israel and Archeology Studies tracks and students from the "Asher Ruach Bo" preparatory program for at-risk youth from Mitzpe Ramon. Following the excavations, the structure will undergo conservation and development and will be made accessible to the public.

The director of the Israel Antiquities Authority, Eli Eskozido, said, "The Maccabees' stories come to life before our eyes, showcasing the charm of the Antiquities Authority's work. Through hard and diligent work, archaeologists breathe life into the historical pages of the peoples who have lived in this land. In a few days, we will celebrate Hanukkah, centered on the Maccabees' victory over the Hellenists, which at the time led to the establishment of the first independent Jewish entity. The Maccabees could hardly have imagined that 2,000 years later, students in the State of Israel would retrace their path. It's incredibly moving."