A Brief History of Jerusalem: From the Earliest Settlement to the Destruction of the City in AD 70

Jerusalem's archaeological history, from its earliest settlement to the Roman destruction in AD 70, remains largely unexplored due to continuous habitation and dense urbanization. A recent study by Klaus Bieberstein synthesizes existing data, highlighting significant gaps and challenges in excavation efforts, particularly in matching radiocarbon dating with archaeological finds. While early excavations (1960s–80s) provided preliminary insights, many findings remain unpublished or require reevaluation. The study emphasizes the need for a balanced approach to historical texts, noting that biblical narratives contrast with more straightforward interpretations of Josephus and the Maccabees books. Despite limitations, this work offers a foundational overview, serving as a springboard for future research.

Wegner, P. D. (2018). A Brief History of Jerusalem: From the Earliest Settlement to the Destruction of the City in AD 70. Bulletin for Biblical Research, 28(3), 455–457. https://doi.org/10.5325/bullbiblrese.28.3.0455