Dismantling of the western ramp to the Temple Mount is discussed in these articles by Haaretz and YNetNews (discussed previously on this blog here and here; cf. also here). The new information is that the ramp will be a bridge, crossing from the Jewish Quarter on the Western Hill. There’s also the possibility that the earthen mound would be removed but the ramp not replaced at all. The old news is that work will begin on this any day.
From a notice received today from the City of David visitor’s center:
Here are some very important updates for all travel agents, tour guides and trip organizers.
City of David Presentation – from 1.01.07, there will be a charge of NIS 5 per person for entry to the new 3-D presentation at the City of David. You can book a presentation together with a visit to the City of David, for
preset times (only by making a definite booking, approved by the booking system). Due to the high demand, cancellation fees will be according to the price of the presentation itself (NIS 5), and the cancellation fees will be charged for any cancellation made within one week of the visit.
Set daily guided tours – please note – we offer daily tours accompanied by a guard (registration in advance, available to individuals). There is a set tour in Hebrew, and a set tour in English, starting daily at 10 a.m. (duration of guided tour about 3 hours).
The Shiloah Pool (Pool of Siloam) and Herodian Street – as of 1.01.07, this site (from the Second Temple era) will become a closed site of the Nature and Parks Authority. All visitors to the City of David will, of course, continue to enjoy this impressive site. The ticket to the City of David will continue to include entry to the Shiloah Pool. Visitors who only want to visit the Shiloah Pool will be able to purchase a ticket at the entrance to the pool, at the foot of the City of David, near the Kidron ravine. Entry fee to the Shiloah Pool and Herodian Street will be NIS 6 per person.
The City of David “Segway” – special trips in an up-to-the-minute, ingeniously designed two-wheeled vehicle. The tour lasts about an hour and a half, along the Armon HaNatziv (Commissioner’s Palace) pr
omenades – the eastern Goldman Promenade, the Sherover Promenade, and the Haas Promenade. An impressive and scenic tour, accompanied by an official tour guide, with breathtaking views and an “action” ride in the state-of-the-art vehicle. NIS 150 per person for the trip!
Temporary closure of the Shiloah Tunnel (Hezekiah’s Tunnel) for routine
maintenance – between 14.01.07 and 28.01.07, the Shiloah Tunnel will be closed for two weeks for ongoing maintenance work and restoration of the plaster on the floor of the tunnel.
We will be happy to help you with any clarifications and inquiries –
City of David Booking Center – *6033
At your service
Sincerely
Shahar Shilo
Marketing director, City of David
- Tagged Jerusalem
About a week ago, there were reports that excavations at the Western Wall prayer plaza had “uncovered the remains of Jewish homes from the Second Temple period as well as a Herodian water conduit.”
In the photo below, you can see the relation between the excavations and the Western Wall. While we were there, the crane moved the white container (middle) from the area at left, suggesting that excavations will be extended in that direction. In fact, you can see the tractor beginning to break up the ground.
In the close-up below, it looks like large hewn slabs (paving stones?) have been removed in order to excavate beneath them.
My guess is that those large paving slabs are part of the Byzantine “Valley Cardo,” which has been discovered to the south.
(Yellow box = present excavations; red box = Byzantine Valley Cardo previously revealed)
- Tagged Discoveries, Jerusalem, Temple Mount
Yahoo has a photo that shows the alleged sarcophagus of Paul underneath the altar. Something we didn’t see before:
Filippi said the decision to unearth the sarcophagus was made after pilgrims who came to Rome during the Roman Catholic Church’s 2000 Jubilee year expressed disappointment at finding that the saint’s tomb — buried under layers of plaster and further hidden by an iron grate — could not be visited or touched.
All we need now are some pilgrims who want to see inside the sarcophagus and our questions will be answered.
In Jerusalem, Western Wall Rabbi Shmuel Rabinovitch and others are unhappy with the delay in building a new bridge for non-Muslim access to the Temple Mount. The pile of earth likely is not very important archaeologically, but Muslims claim its removal will damage the Al Aqsa Mosque.
The rabbis want the temporary bridge removed because it is cutting into the women’s prayer area at
the Western Wall.
The removal of the earthen embankment will not only allow more of the Western Wall to be seen, but the large lintel stone of Barclay’s Gate will be visible in its entirety for the first time in modern history. This is the second of four monumental entrances to the Temple Mount on the western side.
We’ve commented on the ramp before here and here, and the sarcophagus here. These posts have photos.
- Tagged Discoveries, Jerusalem, Temple Mount
Excavations at the Western Wall have proceeded and now remains from the Herodian period have been discovered.
Excavations at the Western Wall have uncovered the remains of Jewish homes from the Second Temple period as well as a Herodian water conduit and arches from various eras, Army Radio reported (JPost).
I suspect that the water conduit mentioned is part of the Lower-Level aqueduct that brought water from Solomon’s Pools to the Temple Mount.
See this previous post for photos of the excavation area.
UPDATE (12/21): New photos here.
- Tagged Discoveries, Jerusalem, Temple Mount
The Bible Lands Museum in Jerusalem has a special lecture series running through April 2007. The topic is “The Bible: A View from the 21st Century – Literary Genres,” and it is advertised as addressing these questions:
How did ancient Israel’s law resemble that of its neighbors? Who was a false prophet? What makes the writing of history in Ancient Israel unique? And more… Join us as leading Bible scholars will analyze the various literary genres of the books of the Bible, their content and their form.
The lecture schedule posted so far is as follows:
November 15, 2006
Lecture I in the Hebrew series “The Bible, A View from the 21st Century – Literary, Genres”:
The Bible – Beginning of the Jewish “Big Bang”
Prof. Yair Zakovitch, Hebrew Univ.
Lecture in Hebrew
November 22, 2006
A Chalcolithic Cemetery in Palmachim: Features of a Peripheral Site in the Center?
Amir Gorzalczany, IAA
Lecture in Hebrew
November 29, 2006
Lecture I in the English series “The Bible, A View from the 21st Century – Literary, Genres”:
The Bible – Beginning of the Jewish “Big Bang”
Prof. Yair Zakovitch, Hebrew Univ.
Lecture in English
December 6, 2006
Lecture II in the Hebrew Series “The Bible, A View from the 21st Century – Literary Genres”:
Teachings and Commandments; Laws and Statutes: Features of Biblical Law
Dr. Baruch Schwartz, Hebrew Univ.
Lecture in Hebrew
December 13, 2006
Antiochus IV and the Levant: the Wider Context of the Macchabean Revolt
Dr. Gerald Finkielsztejn, IAA
Lecture in Hebrew
December 27, 2006
Lecture II in the English Series “The Bible, A View from the 21st Century – Literary Genres”:
Teachings and Commandments; Laws and Statutes: Features of Biblical Law
Dr. Baruch Schwartz, Hebrew Univ.
Lecture in English
January 3, 2007
Lecture III in the Hebrew Series “The Bible, A View from the 21st Century – Literary Genres”:
History Writing in Israel: Scope, Origins, Forms, and View
Prof. Sarah Japhet, Hebrew Univ.
Lecture in Hebrew
The lectures are free with museum entrance.