'Magnificent Roman mansion' uncovered in City of David

Jerusalem Post ^ | Aug 18, 2009 | JOSIAH RYAN

[decimon]

The 'magnificent' Roman mansion uncovered. Photo: Courtesy/Antiquities Authority

A "magnificent" two-story Roman mansion of more than 1,000 square meters has been discovered by archeologists in the City of David Archeological Park outside the capital's Old City, the Antiquities Authority announced on Monday.

Previously, archeologist believed 3rd century Roman ruins extended only to the edge of the Ottoman Old City walls. The discovery of the mansion within the Givati parking lot, outside the walls and adjacent to the City of David, however, suggests Roman construction may have stretched to the bottom of the Silwan Valley, Dr. Doron Ben-Ami, the excavation's director, told The Jerusalem Post on Monday.

"This discovery was very surprising," Ben-Ami said. "We didn't expect to find any Roman building remains within the City of David. We were astonished at how huge the structure is. So far we uncovered 1,000 square meters and the structure still extends beyond the limits of the excavation area."

The find has already revolutionized historians' understanding of Roman settlement in Jerusalem, he said.

[decimon]

Magnificence ping.

[Adder]

Looks ruined.

[decimon]

Looks ruined.

Shoulda gone for the aluminum siding.

[Dixie Yooper]

Since Obama won’t allow Israel to build anymore settlements outside of Tel Aviv or Jerusalem, I guess they will just have to bulldoze all this so they can build housing on top of it...

[Tainan]

Its a fixer-upper.

[steven33442]

Even moer amazing, it was originally owned by Donaldus Octavis Trumpus.

[Adder]

Definitely a candidate for an extreme makeover....

[newfreep]

Is this a story about Detroit?

[Rum Tum Tugger]

It’s amazing how much we don’t know about the relatively recent past.

[decimon]

It’s amazing how much we don’t know about the relatively recent past.

Especially when it's right under our feet.

[battlegearboat]

They also found an ancient bunny suit with cufflinks.

The City of David had a key club it appears.

[SunkenCiv]

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[Cincinna]

Thanks Civ Biblical Archaeology is still very exciting.

[SunkenCiv]

My pleasure, Cincinna.

[wildbill]

“What did the Romans ever do for us, Reg?”

[colorado tanker]

Brought down in a fourth century earthquake. Didn’t have insurance to rebuild, I guess.

[SunkenCiv]

:’) Same thing happened (though I think it was later, haven’t checked) in Petra — a big quake hit and a city (possibly already in decline) blinked out.

[colorado tanker]

Overheard from two tourists leaving Petra:

Indiana Jones: And what did you find, Dad?
Professor Henry Jones: Me? Illumination.

[SunkenCiv]

“Petra, I’m glad I met ya.”