Subscribe to Print Edition | Thu., July 09, 2009 Tamuz 17, 5769 | | Israel Time: 11:27 (EST+7)
Haaretz israel news English
web haaretz.com
Haaretz Toolbar
Diplomacy
Defense Jewish World Opinion National
Print Edition
Car Rental
Books Haaretz Magazine Business Real Estate Focus U.S.A. Travel Week's End Anglo File
Share |
Last update - 17:38 06/07/2009
Was a recently uncovered quarry used to build the Second Temple?
By The Associated Press
Tags: Second Temple, Western Wall 

Israeli archaeologists have uncovered an ancient quarry where they believe King Herod extracted stones for the construction of the Jewish Temple 2,000 years ago, the Israel Antiquities Authority said Monday.

The archaeologists believe the 100-square-meter quarry was part of a much larger network of quarries used by Herod in the city. The biggest stones extracted from the quarry would have measured three meters long, two meters across, and two meters high.

The archaeologists said the size of the stones indicates they could have been used in the construction of the Temple compound, including the Western Wall, a retaining wall that remains intact and is a Jewish shrine.
Advertisement

The dimensions of the stones that were produced in the quarry that was revealed are suitable for the Temple walls, said Ofer Sion, the dig's director.

The two-week excavation, which was conducted before construction begins on an apartment complex at the site, also uncovered pottery, coins and what appear to be tools used in the quarry dating to the first century B.C.

Finding a large quarry related to the largest building project ever undertaken in Jerusalem ... that's more than just another discovery, said archaeologist Aren Maeir of Bar-Ilan University, who was not involved in the excavation. It's an additional block that slowly reveals the picture of construction in ancient Jerusalem.

Herod was the Roman-appointed king of the Holy Land from 37 B.C. to 4 B.C. and was known for his many major building projects, including the rebuilding of the Jewish Temple. The Second Temple was destroyed in A.D. 70 by Roman legions following a Jewish revolt.

Excavation at the site is almost complete, and the Israel Antiquities Authority says construction of the apartments will begin in the coming weeks.

Because of the amount of ancient remains in Israel, builders are required to carry out a salvage excavation before beginning construction. Such digs regularly turn up important finds.

Related articles:
  • 3,000-year-old arms storehouse uncovered in Sinai
  • 2,000-year-old gold earring found beneath Jerusalem parking lot
  • Archaeologists unearth relics from eras of First and Second Temples
    • PROMOTION: Mamilla Hotel
    Bookmark to del.icio.us  
     
    Attack in West Bank
    WATCH: Settler attacks Peace Now activists documenting settlement construction
    Blaming the Jews
    Formula One Chief reportedly accuses Jews of complicity in financial crisis
      1.   Herod was not a Roman appointed King of the HOLYLAND 21:06  |  B 06/07/09
      2.   @1 22:36  |  Elam 06/07/09
      3.   #1 You are wrong 22:36  |  Edgar 06/07/09
      4.   Israel did not exist during Roman times - it was Palestine 23:25  |  Historian 06/07/09
      5.   Herod was a Roman-supported king, 23:29  |  msh 06/07/09
      6.   Can`t be true! 01:26  |  Jordan 07/07/09
      7.   Great Discoveries 04:59  |  MarkH 07/07/09
      8.   #1 B 06:03  |  Jim 07/07/09
      9.   Any detailed chemical and atomic analysis done? 06:54  |  Mark Lincoln 07/07/09
      10.   Temple was built by Persia 16:00  |  Gully Foyle 07/07/09
      11.   History and peace in the ME 18:56  |  David Israel 07/07/09
      12.   To "Historian" 21:36  |  Judah 07/07/09
      13.   Herod was an Idumaean 22:09  |  Axel 07/07/09
    Special Offers
    Advertisement
    hotel Jerusalem
    David Citadel Hotel, come stay at the finest of Jerusalem hotels.
    ISRAEL ARMY SURPLUS STORE
    IDF insignia,Uniforms, Paladium Boots Watches, Israel Army T-shirts & Collectibles
    Dead Sea Skin Care
    Quality cosmetics from the Dead Sea. Coupon code HAARETZ for 12% off!
    Eldan Rent a Car
    Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on online reservations
    Junkyard
    Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt
    More Headlines
    10:02 G8 gives Iran 2-month deadline for nuclear talks
    06:35 Netanyahu aide laments Israel's 'abominable' past failure on Iran
    03:56 EU official: No chance of settlements deal with Israel
    03:02 Netanyahu's 'weakness' is good for Israel
    11:16 Palestinian suspects: We killed cabbie because he was a Jew
    09:50 Israel rabbi proposes 'virtual' kosher supervision - via video cameras
    08:40 Palestinians reject Netanyahu's 'economic peace' plan
    22:16 WATCH: Daily news round-up from Israel
    04:21 Suspected Lebanese spy believed to have fled to Israel
    06:23 U.S. denies reaching deal with Israel on settlement building
    01:35 U.K. cracks down on neo-Nazis, fearing mega-terror attack
    06:08 Shalit deal stalled by freeze in Hamas-Fatah reconciliation talks
    06:13 MKs warn of 'terrible injustice' to children in roundup of migrants
    Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Site rules |
    | Israel 2009 election results | Makom: Engaging on Israel
    | Search engine marketing
    Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.
    © Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved