Roman siege weapons found at Jerusalem excavation

[guy]

Excavation of Roman ballista stones

Using archaeological evidence, historians now have a better appreciation of Roman tactics during Titus’ siege and destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70. 

Quote

 

Now new research by the archaeologist Kfir Arbiv of the Israel Antiquities Authority posits where the Roman forces may have concentrated at least some of their artillery machines: Cats Square.

 

Some of the ballista balls the archaeologists found by the ruins of the third wall were broken after shattering on the stone wall. There could have been thousands of the balls – and they weren’t only tossing diverse ballista balls designed to break down the wall. They were also catapulting spearheads, bolts, armor-piercing arrowheads, and smaller stones, gravel, and other objects to hit human targets.

 

 

More ballista stones

 

Iron tips of Roman catapult projectiles 

 

 

https://www.haaretz.com/archaeology/2022-08-07/ty-article-magazine/archaeologists-pinpoint-a-source-of-roman-artillery-attack-on-ancient-jerusalem/00000182-789c-d428-a1e6-fcdfaf340000?_amp=true

 

 

Edited August 8, 2022 by guy

[guy]

 

Another nice article on the research:

“Using computerised ballistic calculations based on finds found adjacent to the Jerusalem Municipality building, Israel Antiquities Authority archaeologist, Kfir Arbiv, has been able to identify the locations of the Roman siege engines used during the attack.

This was done by considering the local topography and the location of the Second Temple period city walls, in combination with ballistic calculations and the launching angle for the ballista stones found today within the ancient city.

As for the location of the Roman siege weapons, it appears that a significant number were placed in Cat Square, located around the centre of modern Jerusalem.“

https://www.heritagedaily.com/2022/08/archaeologist-identifies-position-of-roman-siege-engines-used-during-attack-on-jerusalem/144375?amp