The remains of a Hasmonean citadel believed to be part of a fortress dating back to the second century BCE have been found on Mt. Carmel in Haifa. The finds, which include the ruins of walls, graves which had been robbed in olden days, and pottery fragments, were discovered in the Romema quarter, which overlooks Wadt Rushmiya.
The Government Antiquities Department and Haifa University are co-sponsoring the dig, which is under the direction of Dr. Moshe Prausnitz and Azriel Siegelman. Until the present find, the existence of Hasmonean fortresses was known only from written sources. The Romema citadel had been repaired and expanded several times. It appears to have been in use until the first half of the fifth century CE, and was rebuilt by the crusaders. The excavations are being financed by the Jacob Hecht Foundation, and will continue next summer.
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