Shocking archaeological find from Jerusalem’s Second Temple era will be included in the layout of the Western Wall

Israeli archaeologists have discovered a an opulent building where probably members of the Jerusalem Elite and important dignitaries were received as they passed through the city to reach the Temple Mount, which today is the Esplanade des Mosques, a while ago 2000 years.

It was the pre-Roman era, at least two decades before the empire’s invasions destroyed the sacred temple, and thanks to the discovery, visitors to the Wailing Wall you can visit this place which it will give you a glimpse into the glorious past of the city of Jerusalem.

Archaeologists discovered the building luxuriously gifted, which was erected around 20-30 AD “It is without a doubt one of the most magnificent public buildings of the Second Temple period ever discovered outside the walls of the Temple Mount in Jerusalem”, IAA excavation director Dr Shlomit Weksler-Bdolach said in statements to the Jerusalem Post.

The structure contained two imposing halls decorated with elaborate Corinthian capitals protruding from the walls. They were connected by another room to a sumptuous fountain of running water. The building was located on the main road leading to the Temple Mount from the west, the archaeologist said.

The rooms offered wooden sofas that ran along the walls, where visitors could lie down, rest, drink and eat. “The furniture did not survive, but you can still see its mark on the walls”, he stressed.

Part of the building was first revealed during the work of British archaeologist Charles Warren in the 19th century. He reached the roof of one of the cameras and penetrated her through a hole in the masonry.

“The structure was completely filled with earth, but just by looking at the higher parts of the walls, he understood that it was a prominent building,” dijo Weksler-Bdolach.

More than a century later, excavations resumed and in recent years the building has been completely uncovered. “We were able to get down to the ground and collect pottery and coins, as well as organic samples for carbon-14 dating, which gave us an understanding of when construction began. “ dijo Weksler-Bdolach.

Between the 1st century a. C. and the 1st century d. C., Jerusalem witnessed many constructionsas they were erected new buildings and the old buildings were enlarged.

The building passed by major transformations. One of the dining rooms has been excavated and turned into a ritual mikvah bath about seven meters long.

The steps and the bathroom are still visible today. Pilgrims were to visit the Temple in a state of ritual purity, which required immersing themselves in a mikvah.

“In the plaster used to cover the pool we find coins from 54-55 CE, just a few years before the destruction of the Temple”, dijo Weksler-Bdolach.

The newly discovered building will be integrated into the route of the tunnels of the Western wall of Lamentations which will open to the public in the coming weeks.

“The new layout provides a better understanding of the complex and important site known as the Western Wall Tunnels, while highlighting the extent of this magnificent building.IAA architect Shachar Puni said.

“It is exciting to reveal such a magnificent structure from the Second Temple period as we mourn the destruction of Jerusalem and pray for its restoration.Western Wall Heritage Foundation President Mordechai Soli Eliav said.

“These chambers are part of a new walk through the tunnels of the Western Wall, where visitors will see fascinating discoveries and walk the entire route for the first time among the remains of the Second Temple period that illustrate the complexity of the Jewish religion. life in Jerusalem between the Hasmonean and Roman periods “added.

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