On a remote hilltop in the Judean desert stands a fortress from the 2nd century BCE known as Hyrcania. While its location has long been known, it until now has never been excavated. Uri Shapira writes:
“The archaeological significance of the site is tremendous. Unearthing the evidence, it’s something that overwhelms us” said Michal Haber, one of the archaeologists who led the excavations.
Hyrcania is mentioned in Josephus’ book Antiquities of the Jews as one of the three fortresses that queen Salome Alexandra, wife of Alexander Janneaus (the second Hasmonean king, who ruled the land during the 1st century BCE), refused to give up to the Pharisee party. Later, the site was associated with the famous king Herod the Great. It was known as the place where the Roman-appointed king of Judea imprisoned and tortured his rivals. The fortress is also linked to the copper scroll, one of the famous Dead Sea scrolls, which contains instructions about a mysterious treasure.
“We assume that the treasures which are mentioned in the scroll are the treasures of the Temple. The late archaeologist Hanan Eshel suggested that they are also treasures from the First Temple era,” [the excavation’s director], Oren Gutfeld, said.
[Taking] part in the digging is the American Veterans Archaeological Recovery, an organization that helps war veterans facing challenges in their life.
More about: Ancient Israel, Archaeology, Hasmoneans, Herod