Jerusalem Archaeologists Uncover the “Elusive City” of Aelia Capitolina

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Biblical Archaeology Society Staff February 21, 2012 1 Comments 1562 views Share

Recent excavations conducted in and around Jerusalem’s Old City are beginning to reveal the vestiges of Aelia Capitolina, the important but still relatively unknown Roman city built atop Jerusalem in the wake of the Second Jewish Revolt. Though many Israeli archaeologists have long preferred to excavate the remains from the earlier Jewish city, new evidence from rescue and salvage excavations throughout the Old City (see “Layers of Jerusalem Archaeology”) suggests the later Roman city, with its broad, well-planned streets, monumental gates and imposing architecture, created the skeleton of the city that is still seen today. “When I began to study the history of the Roman city, it was a barren field,” said veteran Israeli archaeologist Yoram Zafrir. “Today, it is clear that the basic structure of Jerusalem is that of Aelia Capitolina.”

