Did Sennacherib destroy Hezekiah's administrative center?

ARCHAEOLOGY AND HEBREW EPIGRAPHY: Recent excavations reveal King Sennacherib's military impact on the economy of the Kingdom of Judah. Excavations in Jerusalem revealed that Sennacherib’s 701 BCE military campaign impacted Judah's economy, uncovering administrative changes under King Hezekiah (ZIV REINSTEIN, Jerusalem Post).

“We found remains of a significant state administrative center from the time of Hezekiah – possibly even from his father, Ahaz,” said Neriya Sapir, Natan Ben-Ari, and Benjamin Storchin, the excavation directors from the IAA.

“This center was in use during the last third of the 8th century BCE and was then completely destroyed. This structure was intentionally buried under a massive heap of stones, on top of which another building was erected, overseeing the agricultural lands east of the Armon Hanatziv-Ramat Rachel ridge and was visible from afar,” they explained.

The working hypothesis is that this was a "political statement" by the Assyrians.

For more on the history and archaeology of Sennacherib's siege of Jerusalem, start here and follow the many links.

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