Hideout almost 2,000 years old is found in Israel – 04/03/2024 – Science

Archaeologists in northern Israel have found a huge underground hiding place made up of narrow tunnels and larger rooms that was excavated by Jewish villagers nearly 2,000 years ago, at a time of revolt against the Roman Empire.

The labyrinth is evidence, experts say, that Jewish communities as far north as the hills of Galilee, where Jesus is believed to have preached, prepared for the Roman legions by putting down rebellions near Jerusalem.

They carved out a hiding place that snakes at least 100 meters below the village, said Yinon Shivtiel, a historian at Zefat Academic College who specializes in caves.

Narrow burrows, too cramped for an armored legionnaire, stretch between larger cavities, where there is room to stand, gather, and store precious wares. The cave system was designed to save entire families.

There were two ill-fated revolts against the Romans in the Holy Land during that period. The first ended with the destruction of the Second Temple in Jerusalem in the year 70.

Decades later, the famous leader Bar Kokhba led an insurrection that was also defeated. Similar caches from that time have been found in the foothills of Jerusalem, along with evidence of destroyed villages.