Photo: Shai Halevy
An intriguing find consisting of an
impressive pyramid-shaped staircase constructed of large ashlar stones
was uncovered in an archaeological excavation currently conducted by the
Israel Antiquities Authority. The excavation is located in the
Jerusalem Walls National Park in the City of David, site of ancient
Jerusalem, and is being carried out in cooperation with the Israel
Nature and Parks Authority and the City of David Foundation.
This structure, situated alongside the
2,000 year old Second Temple stepped street, which carried pilgrims on
their way from the Shiloah (Siloam) Pool to the Temple, which stood atop
the Temple Mount. The street, a section of which was excavated in the
past, is remarkably well-preserved and is built of enormous stone slabs.
The street most likely runs above the 2,000 year old drainage channel,
discovered a number of years ago, which carried rain water out of the
city. It was constructed sometime in the fourth decade of the first
century CE, and was one of the largest construction projects undertaken
in Jerusalem during the Second Temple period. Dozens of whole pottery
vessels, stone vessels and glassware were found at the foot of the
pyramid-shaped staircase.
According to archaeologists
Nahshon Szanton and Dr. Joe Uziel, who direct of the excavation on
behalf of the Israel Antiquities Authority, "The structure
exposed is unique. To date such a structure has yet to be found along
the street in the numerous excavations that have taken place in
Jerusalem and to the best of our knowledge outside of it. For this
reason, its exact use remains enigmatic. The structure is built along
the street in a place that is clearly visible from afar by passers-by
making their way to the Temple. We believe the structure was a kind of
monumental podium that attracted the public’s attention when walking on
the city’s main street. It would be very interesting to know what was
said there 2,000 years ago. Were messages announced here on behalf of
the government? Perhaps news or gossip, or admonitions and street
preaching – unfortunately we do not know. Bliss and Dickie, two British
archaeologists who discovered a small portion of this structure about
100 years ago, mistakenly thought these were steps that led into a house
that was destroyed. They would certainly be excited if they could come
back today and see it completely revealed”.
We know from rabbinic sources there
were “stones” that were used for public purposes during the Second
Temple period. For example, one source cites the “auction block” in
connection with the street: “[a master] will not set up a market stand
and put them (slaves) on the auction block” (Sifra, BeHar 6). In the
Mishnah and Talmud the “Stone of Claims” is mentioned as a place that
existed in Jerusalem during the Second Temple period: “Our Rabbis
taught: There was a Stone of Claims in Jerusalem: whoever lost an
article repaired thither, and whoever found an article did likewise. The
latter stood and proclaimed, and the former submitted his
identification marks and
received it back. And in reference to this we learnt: Go forth and see whether the Stone of Claims is covered” (Bava Metzia 28:B).
received it back. And in reference to this we learnt: Go forth and see whether the Stone of Claims is covered” (Bava Metzia 28:B).
On Thursday (3.9), at the City of David Studies of Ancient Jerusalem’s 16th
Annual Conference that will be open to the public, Nahshon Szanton and
Dr. Joe Uziel will present their findings from the excavation and the
different interpretations regarding the nature of the podium. According
to them, “Given the lack of a clear archaeological parallel to the
stepped-structure, the purpose of the staircase remains a mystery. It is
certainly possible the rabbinical sources provide valuable information
about structures, such as this, although for the time being there is no
definitive proof.”
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