Connect with us

Archaeology

Jerusalem's Second Temple was built with gigantic stone blocks — now we think we know where they came from

Published

3m ago

on

/ 4841 Views

The source of the building stones for Jerusalem's Second Temple may have been discovered.

The vast quarry spans about 3,500 square meters (37,674 square feet) and contains building blocks, some of which weigh about 2.5 tons (2.25 metric tons) (the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) recently announced in a statement.

Archaeologists at the newfound quarry, which is located in the Har Hotzvim area of Jerusalem, also found a stone jar that would have been used for purification of a person, along with other artifacts.

The site dates back more than 2,000 years, to a time when King Herod ruled the kingdom of Judea. Herod built many structures during his reign, the most famous being the Second Temple, the most holy site in Judaism.

Related: 31 ancient temples from around the world, from Göbekli Tepe to the Parthenon

The first temple was destroyed by the Babylonians in 587 B.C. This quarry was likely used until around A.D. 70, when the Roman Empire conquered Jerusalem during a revolt.

A stone vessel identified with the Jewish population in the Second Temple, which was discovered in the quarry.

A stone vessel identified which was discovered in the quarry used for purification of a person. (Image credit: Antiquities Authority)

The quarry was discovered during excavations before a commercial complex was built. The quarry will be preserved and integrated into the complex, according to the statement.

Tags:

Trending