Ancient Jerusalem Reborn: The Discovery of the City of David—and the Palestinian Effort to Erase It

For more than 3,000 years, Jerusalem has been the beating heart of the Jewish people. The connection between Jews and Jerusalem stretches back to the Hebrew Bible—to the reign of King David, to the many kings and prophets who succeeded him, and into the Second Temple period.

With history this ancient, archaeology plays a crucial role in confirming what tradition has long held. Today, that evidence is finally being unearthed—but also contested. Palestinian and Islamic extremists continue to deny the Jewish history of Jerusalem and actively seek to erase the proof of it.

In a powerful essay for Mosaic, Doron Spielman—who helped lead the excavation and development of the City of David archaeological park—tells the story of how the most significant modern discovery in Jerusalem’s archaeology came to light. He reveals the remarkable findings that connect the Jewish people to their ancient capital—and the sinister effort to suppress them.