Ancient sword, menorah engraving found

An ancient Roman sword and scabbard and an engraving of a menorah on a stone object were discovered during work on a 2,000 year old drainage tunnel in Jerusalem. The sword still in its leather scabbard was discovered by Israel Antiquity Authority workers excavating in the tunnel which served as a hiding refuge for residents of Jerusalem from the Romans during the time the Second Temple was destroyed, a statement issued by the IAA said. "It seems that the sword belonged to an infantryman of the Roman garrison stationed in Israel at the outbreak of the Great Revolt against the Romans in 66 CE. The sword's fine state of preservation is surprising: not only its length but also the preservation of the leather scabbard and some of its decoration, " Eli Shukron director of the excavations said. Buried in soil underneath a street near the drainage tunnel workers found a stone object adorned with a menorah, Shukron said. The fact it was found in close proximity to the Temple Mount in the Old City is important he said. Researchers believe the engraving was done by a passerby who saw the menorah and carved the impression on the stone and then tossed it to the side of the road. The excavations are being conducted between the City of David and the Jerusalem Archaeological Gardens near the Western Wall.