According to an August 19 news release from American Friends of Tel Aviv University, researchers from the Israeli academic institution have excavated the remnants of gigantic ancient fortifications constructed in defense of an Iron Age Assyrian harbor in Ashdod, Israel.  A 12-foot by 15-feet mud-brick wall forms the heart of the crescent shape fortifications, which were constructed in 800 B.C. and cover over 17 acres, and extends for hundreds of feet on either side.

The discovery came at the conclusion of the first excavation season at the Ashdod-Yam archeological dig, south of Tel Aviv.  Leading the project is Tel Aviv University’s Doctor Alexander Fantalkin, of the Department of Archaeology and Ancient Near Eastern Cultures, on behalf of the Sonia and Marco Nadler Institute of Archaeology.