For Fair Use Education and Discussion Purposes

Has King David's citadel been found? Israeli archaeologist claims to have discovered site captured in the conquest of Jerusalem

By Mark Prigg

Massive fortification of five-ton stones stacked 21 feet (6 meters) wide
Find has reignited row over using the bible to identify ancient ruins
Critics say political agenda should not mix with archaeology


An Israeli archaeologist says he has found the legendary citadel captured by King David in his conquest of Jerusalem.

Eli Shukron has spent two decades uncovering a massive fortification of five-ton stones stacked 21 feet (6 meters) wide, and claims 'the whole site we can compare to the bible perfectly.'


The fortification was built 800 years before King David would have captured it from its Jebusite rulers, and Shukron says the biblical story of David's conquest of Jerusalem provides clues that point to this particular fortification as David's entry point into the city.

Scroll down for video



The claim by Eli Shukron has run into criticism, rekindling a longstanding debate about using the Bible as a field guide to identifying ancient ruins.

It joins a string of announcements by Israeli archaeologists saying they have unearthed palaces of the legendary biblical king, who is revered in Jewish religious tradition for establishing Jerusalem as its central holy city - but who has long eluded historians looking for clear-cut evidence of his existence and reign.

The present-day Israeli-Palestinian conflict is also wrapped up in the subject.

The $10 million excavation, made accessible to tourists last month, took place in an Arab neighborhood of Jerusalem and was financed by an organization that settles Jews in guarded homes in Arab areas of east Jerusalem in an attempt to prevent the city from being divided.


The Palestinians claim east Jerusalem, captured by Israel in 1967, as the capital of a future independent state.

Shukron, who excavated at the City of David archaeological site for nearly two decades, says he believes strong evidence supports his theory.

'This is the citadel of King David, this is the Citadel of Zion, and this is what King David took from the Jebusites,' said Shukron, who said he recently left Israel's Antiquities Authority to work as a lecturer and tour guide.

For Complete Story & Video:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2621612/Has-King-Davids-citadel-Israeli-archaeologist-claims-discovered-site-captured-conquest-Jerusalem.html