Ancient stone discovered in Jerusalem may help resolve questions surrounding Jewish revolt

A commemorative inscription dedicated to the Emperor Hadrian that was found outside Jerusalem's Old City, is on display at the Rockefeller museum in Jerusalem, Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2014. Israeli archaeologists said Tuesday they have discovered a large stone with Latin engravings that lends credence to the theory that the reason Jews revolted against Roman rule nearly 2,000 ago was because of their harsh treatment. Israel's Antiquities Authority said the stone bears the name of the Roman emperor Hadrian and the year of his visit to Jerusalem, a few years before the failed Bar Kochba revolt in the second century A.D. (AP Photo/Sebastian Scheiner) (The Associated Press)

Shmulik Freireich, an Israel Antiquities Authority conservationist works on a commemorative inscription dedicated to the Emperor Hadrian that was found outside Jerusalem's Old City, at the Rockefeller museum in Jerusalem. Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2014. Israeli archaeologists said Tuesday they discovered a large stone with Latin engravings that lends credence to the theory that the reason Jews revolted against Roman rule nearly 2,000 ago was because of their harsh treatment. Israel's Antiquities Authority said the stone bears the name of the Roman emperor Hadrian and the year of his visit to Jerusalem, a few years before the failed Bar Kochba revolt in the second century A.D. (AP Photo/Sebastian Scheiner) (The Associated Press)

Shmulik Freireich, an Israel Antiquities Authority conservationist works on a commemorative inscription in stone dedicated to the Emperor Hadrian that was found outside Jerusalem's Old City, at the Rockefeller museum in Jerusalem. Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2014. Israeli archaeologists said Tuesday they discovered a large stone with Latin engravings that lends credence to the theory that the reason Jews revolted against Roman rule nearly 2,000 ago was because of their harsh treatment. Israel's Antiquities Authority said the stone bears the name of the Roman emperor Hadrian and the year of his visit to Jerusalem, a few years before the failed Bar Kochba revolt in the second century A.D. (AP Photo/Sebastian Scheiner) (The Associated Press)

Israeli archaeologists say they have discovered a stone with Latin engravings that could help answer questions surrounding a Jewish revolt nearly 2,000 years ago.

Israel's Antiquities Authority announced the discovery Tuesday of a large stone bearing the name of the Roman emperor Hadrian as well as the year of his visit to Jerusalem, just years before the revolt.

The authority says the inscription, along with previous finds, may help flesh out the reason for the Bar Kochba revolt, a failed Jewish rebellion against the Romans in the second century which resulted in their exile.

The cause of the revolt is disputed. It is unclear whether the Jews were provoked by harsh Roman measures or whether they rose up independently.

The stone was found outside Jerusalem's Old City.