Sites & Places in Jerusalem:
The Western Wall

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Jerusalem Sites: Table of Contents | The Temple Mount | Archaeological Sites

Reference

• History & Overview
• “Western” or “Wailing” Wall?
• Women of the Wall
• Photographs
• Notes in the Wall
• Photos from the Fouad Debbas Collection

Western Wall Tunnels

• History & Overview
• Ancient Herodian Street
• An Archaeological Appraisal
• Museum Information
• UN Security Council Resolution 1073

Archaeological Discoveries

• 6th Century Engraved Gold Artifacts Unearthed in Jerusalem (September 2013)
• 2,00 Year Old Cooking Pots Uncovered in Jerusalem (June 2013)
• Massive First Temple-Period Resevoir Discovered Under Western Wall (September 2012)
• Hebrew Seal from First Temple Found in Jerusalem (May 2012)
• Temple Period Ritual Purity "Voucher" Discovered in Jerusalem (December 2011)
• Artifacts Found in Ancient Drainage Channel in Jerusalem (August 2011)
• Rare Second Temple-Period Gold Bell Discovered in Jerusalem (July 2011)
• 2,000 Year Old Mikveh in Western Wall Tunnels (September 2009)

Photographs of Israel:
The Western Wall

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Photographs of Israel: Table of Contents | Historic Jerusalem | Historic Tel Aviv

Early 1900's

Modern Times

Pope John Paul II's pilgrimage to the Wall (March 2000)	IDF paratroopers gather at the Wall (June 1967)

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Sources: Old Wall photos and aerial view courtesy of Israeli Government Press Office
Kotel photos from early 1900s, Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division 

Modern Wall photos courtesy of Jack Hazut, J.H.M. Photography

Archaeological Discoveries:
6^th Century Engraved Gold Artifacts Unearthed in Jerusalem

(September 2013)

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Archaeology: Table of Contents | Recent Discoveries (2013) | What is Archaeology?

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In September 2013, Hebrew University archeologist Dr. Eilat Mazar unveiled the "Ophel Treasure" - a collection of 36 gold coins and a large gold medallion believed to date back to 614 CE that were unearthed approximately 50 meters from the southern wall of the Temple Mount inJerusalem.

The medallion, 10 centimeters long and remarkably well kept, is engraved with a seven-branched menorah, a shofar and a Torah scroll. Dr. Mazar said the medallion was likely used as an adornment for a Torah scroll.  The medallion was found buried in a small depression in the floor along with a smaller gold medallion, two pendants, a gold coin and silver clasp. Also found with the coins were a pair of large gold earrings, a gold-plated silver hexagonal prism and a silver ingot.

Given the date of the coins and medallion, Mazar estimated they were abandoned during the Persian conquest of Jerusalem in 614 CE.

"I consider this so important, as it relates to King David and shows the biblical story," she added. "[The findings are] a breathtaking, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."

According to Lior Sandberg, a numismatics specialist at the Institute of Archeology, the Ophel Treasure is only the third collection of gold coins to be found in archeological excavations in Jerusalem.

In a statement released by his office, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the treasure "a magnificent discovery." He also said, "It attests to the ancient Jewish presence and the to sanctity of this place ... This is historic testimony, of the highest order, to the Jewish people's link to Jerusalem, to its land and to its heritage."

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Sources: Jerusalem Post (September 9, 2013); Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Ancient Jewish History:
The Temples (Beit HaMikdash)

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Ancient Jewish History: Table of Contents | Twelve Tribes | Two Kingdoms

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Artists rendering of Solomon's Temple

First Temple (10th Century- 587 BCE)

• Background & Overview
• Living in Jerusalem
• Foods of the Period
• Sites in Jerusalem
• Babylonian Exile (597-538 BCE)
• After the Exile (538-332 BCE)

Second Temple (516 BCE - 70 CE)

• Background & Overview
  • Second Temple High Priests
• Living in Jerusalem
• The Great Revolt
• Destruction of the Second Temple
  • Map of the Roman Exile

Artifacts & Activites

• The Great Menorah
• Art of the Covenant
• Sacrifices & Offerings

Reference

• The Temple Mount
• The Western Wall
• City of David
• The Temples in Islamic Literature

Archaeology

• Second Temple Period Burial Sites & Tombs
• Second Temple Period Ritual Bath Uncovered (April 2013)
• First Temple Period Reservoir Discovered under Western Wall (September 2012)
• Seal from First Temple Revealed Found (May 2012)
• Second Temple Period Purity Voucher Discovered (December 2011)
• Second Temple Period Gold Bell Discovered (July 2011)
• First Temple Period Building Exposed on Temple Mount (March 2008)