Glimpse of ancient war in Jerusalem tunnel
Archaeologists present Roman legionnaire's sword and sheath believed to date back to around 70 A.D., when Rome put down Jewish revolt
Archaeologists say artifacts discovered in an ancient drainage tunnel under Jerusalem are left over from war 2,000 years ago.
On Monday archaeologists presented a Roman legionnaire's sword and sheath found in the tunnel late last month. They believe it dates to around 70 A.D., when Rome put down a Jewish revolt, razing the second biblical Jewish Temple and much of the city.
Stone engraved with image of menorah (Photo: Vladimir Naykhin)
Accounts of the battle say Jewish rebels fled to tunnels in a futile attempt to escape the Romans.
Israel Antiquities Authority archaeologist Eli Shukron says diggers also found clay lamps, pots, and a bronze key. He thinks rebels left many of those items.
The newly excavated tunnel is part of a growing network of subterranean passages under the city.
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