The Broad Wall: an Archaeological Revolution
Remains of a huge wall from the end of the First Temple period were found in the excavations of the Jewish Quarter, headed by Prof. Nahman Avigad after the Six-Day War. The discovery of this wall, dubbed the “Broad Wall,” sparked a conceptual revolution.
Contrary to widespread scholarly opinion up to that time, the discovery of this wall led to the realization that Jerusalem at that time also included the city’s western hill (today the location of the Jewish Quarter, the Armenian Quarter and the slopes of Mount Zion), and that it covered as much as 60 hectares. Scholars believe that this wall was built by King Hezekiah as part of his preparations for the oncoming Assyrian assault.