An archeological one:-
The remains of the southern wall of Jerusalem that was built by the Hasmonean kings during the time of the Second Temple have been uncovered on Mount Zion, the Antiquities Authority announced Wednesday.
The 2,100-year-old wall, which was destroyed during the Great Revolt against the Romans that began in 66 CE, is located just outside the present-day walls of the Old City...The Second Temple Period wall, which was built without mortar, was "amazingly" well-preserved today to the height of three meters, more than 2,000 years after it was constructed, Zelinger said.
He voiced the hope that the First Temple wall would be uncovered next.
...During the dig, the Israeli archeologists also found "souvenirs" left behind by the 19th century excavators: a laborer's shoes, the top of a gas light that was used to illuminate the tunnels, and fragments of Czech beer and wine bottles from 120 years ago.
..."This is one of the most beautiful and complete sections of construction in the Hasmonean building style to be found in Jerusalem," Zelinger said.
And they're just scratching the surface.
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Just a note for anyone who might be confused about the Hasmoneans being called "Second Temple" - yes, the Second Temple was built in 515BCE after Nehemiah and others returned to Jerusalem from Babylon in about 537BCE.
So the Second Temple Period, which most people associate with King Herod (and Jesus), actually ran from 515BCE to 70CE! The Temple and all it's accouterments associated with King Herod was more of a shiputzim project since the Temple itself was already there when Herod became king in 37BCE.
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