Jerusalem, Israel – Remains of an ancient Jewish community just north of the Mukam Hamikdash has been uncovered
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Rescue digs, have found a major set of remains of a Jewish town from post-Second Bais Hamikdash times. A long strip of land, 100 acres in size, has been uncovered in which can be seen roads, alleys, houses, public buildings, a mikveh and more.
The community was located east of the old Roman highway leading from Jerusalem to Shechem (Nablus) – roughly along the same route as today’s Shechem Way, or Highway 60.
Evidence shows that the community – the largest from that period yet uncovered in the Jerusalem vicinity – was inhabited by a well-to-do and religiously observant populace. In addition to the mikveh, many stone utensils were found – popularly used because they could not become ritually defiled, according to Jewish Law. Many coins were also found, including a rare gold one depicting Trainus Caesar, this is only the second coin of its type found in Israel. [IsraelNN]