At age 2,100, wall stands tall

Israeli archaeologists Wednesday unveiled a 2,100-year-old Jerusalem perimeter wall -- along with beer bottles left behind by 19th century researchers who first discovered the stone defenses.

The wall, on Mt. Zion at the southern edge of Jerusalem’s Old City, dates back to the Second Jewish Temple, which was destroyed by the Romans in AD 70.

The 10 1/2 -foot-high wall was not supported by any mortar or other bonding material and formed part of a 3 1/2 -mile-long fortification around the city, an official said.

British archaeologists surveyed the site in the 19th century, leaving behind a shoe and beer and wine bottles, which Zelinger’s team found and put on display Wednesday.