Israel's Archaeological Treasures-Jerusalem: The Eternal City
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Israel's Archaeological Treasures-Jerusalem: The Eternal City

  • 1/1/2001
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     ISRAEL'S ARCHAEOLOGICAL TREASURES
     CONTENTS  |  JUDEAN FOOTHILLS  |  JUDEAN  DESERT  &  NEGEV  |  MEDITERRANEAN  COAST  |  GALILEE  &  GOLAN  |  JERUSALEM
     
      Part V - Jerusalem: The Eternal City


       CITY OF DAVID
    		 
     
    The City of David, where it is believed King David laid the foundations for the city of Jerusalem around 1000 B.C.E., is an important archaeological excavation site.

     
    		  
       WARREN'S SHAFT 
     
    An early 19th century explorer, Charles Warren, discovered this underground well. Warren's Shaft can be visited on a tour of the City of David, and the steps of the ancient Jerusalemites can be retraced to the well.

     
       CAVE OF ZEDEKIAH<
    		 
     
    The Cave of Zedekiah, which runs several city blocks under the Moslem Quarter of Jerusalem's Old City, is where according to legend, King Solomon
    quarried the stone for the First Temple. On the roof of the cave a quarry stone is left suspended from the ceiling.

     
    		  
       THE OPHEL 
     
    The extensive excavations of the south-east corner of the Temple Mount, the Ophel, was begun in 1968. The steps leading up to the Hulda Gate which opened into the courtyard of the Second Temple.

     
       THE GARDEN TOMB
    		 
     
    Believed by many to be the location of the garden of Joseph of Arimathea, outside the city walls, and the tomb where Jesus Christ was laid after crucifixion.

     
    		  
       THE CARDO 
     
    The Cardo, a Roman and Byzantine street, was discovered while foundations of an apartment building in the Jewish Quarter were being dug. The ancient street was converted into an archaeological garden and arcade of small shops.

     
       FIRST TEMPLE CITY  WALL
    		 
     
    Continuing north along the Cardo, excavated Roman pillars are situated atop the remains from the First Temple Period City Wall which has been excavated to reveal its foundations.

     
    		  
       THE BURNT HOUSE 
     
    The Burnt House is a time capsule of Second Temple Period Jerusalem. Its is believed to have been destroyed in the fires set by the Roman legions of Titus when Jerusalem was sacked in 70 C.E.

     
       THE DOME OF THE  ROCK
    		 
     
    The Dome of the Rock (Haram esh-Sharif) soars above a white rock where the great Jewish Holy Temple stood. The white rock is, according to Jewish tradition, the Stone of Foundation, the site of the Holy of Holies and the very center of the earth. Jews believe that on this spot Abraham offered to sacrifice his son Isaac, and Moslems believe that from here Mohammed rose to heaven on his horse.

     
    		  
       THE WESTERN WALL 
     
    The Western Wall, is the only wall of the Temple Mount remaining after the Roman destruction of Jerusalem in 70 C.E. To pray here has been the dream of Jews throughout the centuries. The Wall is 15 meters (50 feet) high and most of its stones were placed here during the reign of King Herod.

    		 
     
     
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