A Hasmonean Fortress

Yesterday was Shabbat, a day of rest and enjoyment in Israel. The group I am digging with drove to Masada, Caesarea and Ashkelon. Because I have visited two of these sites, I decided to take another walk, across Highway 1 to Ayalon Canada Park.

Wall at the Hasmonean Fortress in Ayalon Park

The park contains several ancient and not so ancient places.

Map of Ayalon Canada Park

The park is located on a ridge near the Ayalon Stream. Citizens of Canada planted trees along the ridges of this park through the Jewish National Fund.

Chapel at Emmaus

The park is located near a place called “Emmaus.” Some consider this the place that two disciples visited with Jesus after his Resurrection (Luke 24). Various scholars debate this and list at least two other potential sites for Emmaus. There are remains of an ancient chapel and a modern church next to the park.

Hasmonean Fortress near Emmaus

Emmaus is mentioned in the books of the Maccabees. 1 Maccabees 4 says, “Gorgias (the Seleucid general) took five thousand infantry and one thousand select cavalry, and this division moved out secretly at night. He wanted to come to the Jewish camp and attack without warning. Men from the elevated fortress served as his guides. But Judas heard about it, and he and his warriors moved out to attack the king’s forces in Emmaus…”

Hasmonean remains in Canada Park

I visited the Hasmonean fortress built around 165 BCE which is located on a high hill.

Hilltop with a Hasmonean fortress

Neve Shalom, the hotel of our residence while on our current archaeological dig is clearly visible from this high location.

Hasmonean Building near Emmaus

There are walls,

Hasmonean Fortress

Buildings,

Hasmonean Buildings carved from stone

Caves,

Caves for hiding in the Hasmonean Fortress

And even a Mikvah pool within the Hasmonean Fortress.

Mikvah Pool in the Hasmonean Fortress

The fortress was also used during the Bar Kochba in 135 AD.

Bar Kochba escape hole

Bar Kochba’s soldiers dug escape routes under the ground,

Bar Kochba escape Cave

Which are entered through holes in the ground.

Retaining Ponds in a valley

There are several springs in the park, and an elaborate system of aqueducts

Roman aqueduct in Ayalon Canada Park

Built by the Romans.

Second Century Roman aqueduct

The splendor of the system can be easily seen,

Roman aqueduct in Ayalon Canada Park

(I walked down the hill along the water system),

Roman aqueduct in Ayalon Canada Park

And there is a beautiful pool and plaza at the end.

Pool at the end of the Roman aqueduct

Canada Park is located close to Modi’in, which is the city of Chanukah.