In the heart of Jerusalem, at Mount Hotzvim, archaeologists have unearthed a treasure trove of history. This massive quarry, spanning about 3,500 square meters, offers a glimpse into the Second Temple period – a time when Jesus walked the streets of the Holy Land.
The Israel Antiquities Authority’s team has been hard at work, uncovering an array of building stones, pathways, and tools. But it’s not just the variety that’s impressive – it’s the sheer size of these ancient building blocks.
“We’re talking about stones that are absolutely massive,” explains Michael Tchernin, one of the excavation managers. “Some of these blocks measure about 8 feet long, 4 feet wide, and a foot thick. Each one weighs around 2.5 tons!”
These colossal stones aren’t just big for the sake of it. Their size hints at a greater purpose. Tchernin and his colleague Lara Shilov believe these stones were likely destined for major construction projects in Jerusalem during the late Second Temple period.
But here’s where it gets really interesting. These stones might have played a role in shaping the very streets Jesus walked on. In another recent dig in the City of David, archaeologists found a paved street from the same era. The kicker? The paving stones there match perfectly with the ones found at Mount Hotzvim.
An ancient stone quarry, one of the largest ever found in Jerusalem, was recently uncovered in an excavation by the @AntiquitiesIL (IAA).
The quarry is believed to have been active at the end of the Second Temple period.
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This connection brings us to “Pilgrim’s Road,” a stairway in ancient Jerusalem that opened to the public in 2019. David Friedman, former U.S. Ambassador to Israel, puts its significance into perspective: “It brings the Bible back to life. People can literally immerse themselves in that environment, where the great biblical figures of the time where Jesus walked.”
The Second Temple era, spanning 420 years from 349 BCE to 70 CE, was a tumultuous time for the Jewish people. They lived under the rule of various empires – first the Persians, then the Greeks, and finally the Romans.
Among the quarry’s findings, one stands out: a stone tool believed to be over 2,000 years old. Shilav notes, “This is a pure stone tool used by the Jewish community during the Second Temple period. It might have been made right here in the quarry, or brought in specifically for the quarrymen to use.”
Looking ahead, there are plans to make this quarry accessible to the public. Archaeologists are working with developers to integrate it into a future commercial complex at the site. Meanwhile, the ancient tools discovered will find a new home at the National Archaeology Campus in Jerusalem.
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As we uncover more of these ancient sites, we’re not just digging up rocks and tools. We’re unearthing the very times straight out of the bible.