The Wide Wall from the Jewish Quarter

This wall, which was discovered by Professor Avigad, is an impressive archaeological testimony of the fortification effort by King Hezekiah. The length of the segment of the exposed wall is 65 meters, and its width is 7 meters. The wall is assumed to be from the period of Hezekiah, because clay fragments identified with that period were found near the wall. Underneath the wall, remnants of houses were found which also date to that same time period. This is an example of fortification in times of emergency, as Isaiah the prophet aptly describes the situation: "...and ye numbered the houses of Jerusalem, and ye broke down the houses to fortify the wall." (Isaiah 22;10). [Archaeology] [Images of selected sites in Jerusalem]