Ancient Olive Press near the Maccabees Town

Very near the ancient village of Modiin, home of the Maccabees of the Chanukah story, is the modern Israeli town of Modiin Illit.

It is home to a large community of observant Jewish families who continue to live with unwavering faith in God and the Torah, just as the Maccabees did.

When the modern town was being built, the contractors discovered a large village from the Maccabean Hasmonean period.

The archaeologists were called in and discovered a large village with homes, streets, a large Synagogue, storehouses, wine presses and more.

The ancient village was turned into a park and today it is surrounded by a bustling town filled with the Maccabees’ descendants.

One of the most fascinating finds at the site is an ancient olive oil press which may have been used to prepare the pure olive oil the Hashmonaim used to light the Menorah in the Temple in Jerusalem.