Hyperbolic wall destruction in the Bible?

ARCHAEOLOGY AND THE BIBLE: First Temple-era walls, razed in biblical account, found unbreached in Jerusalem. Missing section of 8th-7th century BCE fortification puts in question narrative of 2 Kings in which conquering Babylonians ‘tore down Jerusalem’s walls on every side’ (Amanda Borschel-Dan, Times of Israel).

At most this is hyperbole, which everyone uses. It is unremarkable.

That said, I think "on every side" is an over-translation of סביב, whose basic meaning is "around." As the article indicates, it is reasonable to read the verse in a way that does not imply that all the wall was broken down everywhere.

It's also worth highlighting the small finds of the excavation. The article has nice photos.

Inside a building abutting the new wall section, remains of rows of smashed storage jars were discovered, bearing “rosette” stamped handles, indicative of the final years of the Kingdom of Judah. Also near the wall, a stone Babylonian stamp seal was found etched with a figure standing in front of symbols of the two Babylonian gods Marduk and Nabu.

Likewise, the team discovered a clay bulla (stamp seal impression) inscribed with the Judaean personal name “Tsafan.” It is one of dozens of seal impressions and seals from this era uncovered in Jerusalem.

One of the jar handles was also inscribed with LMLK, "For the king."

The name Tsafan appears in other bullae (see the article for details) but not in the Bible. But it looks like a short form of the biblical name Zephaniah.

Background here. Also relevant for Tisha B'Av.

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