According to Esther Rakow-Mellet, archaeologist with the Israel Antiquities Authority, "In the last few days, an unexpected gift was discovered: Yaniv David Levy, our coin researcher, came here and to his great surprise found a coin, covered in dirt. Already then, we thought from the looks of it that it might be a rare coin. We waited anxiously for several days until it came back from cleaning, and it turned out that it was a greeting from the Jewish rebels in the Year Four of the Great Revolt."

According to Yanniv David Levy, a researcher and curator in the coin department of the Israel Antiquities Authority, "The coin is made of bronze, and its state of preservation is quite good. On its obverse side you can see a model of a goblet, and around it is an inscription in ancient Hebrew script: 'LeGe'ulat Zion', 'For the Redemption of Zion'. On its reverse is a lulav, a palm frond used in the Sukkot festival ritual. Next to it are two etrogs, the citron used in that same ritual. The reverse bears the inscription: 'Year Four'." This inscription denotes the number of years since the outbreak of the rebellion and allows us to accurately date the coin to the period between the Hebrew month of Nissan (March-April) of the year 69 CE, and the month of Adar (February-March) of the year 70 CE.

According to Levy, "The 'Year Four' bronze coins differ from their predecessors. Their size and weight increased significantly, and the earlier rebel coin inscription, 'For the Freedom (Herut) of Zion', is replaced by a new inscription – 'For the Redemption of Zion'.

Research accepts the assumption that "year four of the Great Revolt" coins were minted in Jerusalem under the leadership of Shimon Bar Giora, who was one of the prominent commanders in the final year of the revolt. Coins from this year are considered relatively rare, and the vast majority of them were discovered in Jerusalem and its surroundings.

According to Dr. Yuval Baruch, excavation director for the Israel Antiquities Authority and one of the site's researchers for about 25 years, "The inscription on the coin – 'For the Redemption of Zion,' replacing the earlier 'For the Liberation of Zion' – indicates a profound change of identity and mindset, and perhaps also reflects the desperate situation of the rebel forces about six months before the fall of Jerusalem on Tisha B'Av, the 9th of the Hebrew month of Av; in August of the year 70 CE. It would seem that in the rebellion's fourth year, the mood of the rebels now besieged in Jerusalem changed from euphoria and anticipation of freedom at hand, to a dispirited mood and a yearning for redemption. It is also possible that the representatives of the ritual "Four Species' depicted on the coin, which are symbols of the Sukkot Festival and the ritual national pilgrimage to the Temple, were intended to evoke among the rebels a sense of redemption and anticipation of a hoped-for miracle and happy times.

In the excavations conducted by the Israel Antiquities Authority at this location for the sixth season, numerous findings and building remains dating from the Second Temple period to the Umayyad period are being uncovered. The excavations are carried out with funding from the Shalem Project and the City of David Association.

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A fascinating archaeological excavation is currently underway north of Nahal Zohar in the Judean Desert, revealing a large pyramid-shaped structure and a waystation that operated around 2,200 years ago during the Ptolemaic and Seleucid eras. This dig, led by the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) in collaboration with the Ministry of Heritage, is unearthing secrets that promise to reshape our understanding of the region's past.

Among the discoveries are fragments of written papyrus documents, bronze coins from the reigns of Antiochus IV and Ptolemaic kings, weapons, wooden tools, fabric scraps, and more. These artifacts, preserved remarkably well due to the desert climate, offer a glimpse into life during the Hellenistic period.

The site, known as Masad Zohar, is being excavated with the help of volunteers who have flocked to the desert to assist. Matan Toledano, Dr. Eitan Klein, and Amir Ganor, the excavation directors from the Israel Antiquities Authority, describe it as "one of the richest and most intriguing archaeological excavations ever found in the Judean Desert." They note the structure's enormous size, with hand-hewn stones weighing hundreds of kilograms each. "Already in the first excavation week, the volunteers found written historical documents, exceptional bronze vessels and remains of ancient furniture, which thanks to the desert climate were preserved in amazing condition," they said.

The finds include a piece of Greek-written papyrus, colorful beads, and an ancient button, showcasing the diversity of artifacts uncovered. "This is a very promising site – every moment new findings are discovered, and we are filled with anticipation for what else the next three weeks might produce!" the directors added. The excavation is part of a broader initiative by the IAA to protect archaeological treasures from looters, a mission that has been ongoing for eight years with funding from the Ministry of Heritage, the Civil Administration's Archaeology Officer, and the IAA itself.

This national project began with a systematic survey of the Judean Desert, covering 180 kilometers of cliffs and identifying around 900 caves. Using advanced rappelling equipment, cutting-edge technology, and unique documentation methods, the team has recovered thousands of rare items, including hidden scrolls, papyrus fragments, wooden tools, weapons, fabrics, leather goods, woven straw items, and coin hoards. The current dig at Nahal Zohar builds on these efforts, aiming to rescue history before it falls into the hands of thieves.

"This excavation changes the site's historical record," said Toledano, Klein, and Ganor. Previously thought to date back to the First Temple period, the structure now appears to have been built later, during the Hellenistic period under Ptolemaic rule in the land of Israel. Its purpose remains a mystery. "Is this a guard tower, guarding an important commercial route through which the Dead Sea resources of salt and bitumen were transported to the coastal ports? Or at some point was this enormous structure on the mountaintop marking a grave, or serving as a monument in ancient history? It is an enthralling historical mystery – and to our delight, the public coming to volunteer in the excavation are our partners in uncovering the answers," they noted.

Heritage Minister Amihai Eliyahu praised the discovery, saying, "This is yet another testament to the historical and cultural wealth buried in our land's soil. The pyramid structure and rare finds illuminate an important chapter in the history of the land of Israel and strengthen our deep connection to our heritage. I'm proud of the dedicated work by the Israel Antiquities Authority staff, who, alongside hundreds of enthusiastic volunteers, are saving these treasures from antiquity looters." He added, "The Judean Desert survey project is an excellent example of how the State of Israel preserves its cultural assets for future generations."

Eli Escusido, director of the Israel Antiquities Authority, echoed this sentiment. "The Judean Desert survey is one of the most important archaeological operations ever undertaken in the State of Israel's history. The discoveries are exciting and even emotional, and their significance for archaeological and historical research is enormous," he said. "Right now, just before Passover and with the onset of Spring, I invite the people of Israel to come and participate! In such a challenging time as we are in, a few days of staying in and experiencing discovery in the Judean Desert offer a connective and uplifting experience for everyone."

The dig has also drawn attention for its community aspect. The IAA has set up an organized camp for volunteers, providing food, water, and nightly enrichment lectures on archaeology. The excavation is slated to continue for another three weeks, with more details available on the IAA's website.

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A remarkable archaeological discovery near Beit Shemesh has unveiled a 5,000-year-old settlement that provides unprecedented insights into ancient Israel's first steps toward urbanization. The site features one of the earliest known temples in the Judean Lowlands, containing dozens of pristine ritual vessels and among the region's earliest known pottery kilns.

Archaeologists from the Israel Antiquities Authority have uncovered a 5,000-year-old settlement that offers rare evidence of early urbanization in ancient Israel. The discovery, made at the Horvat Hushim site during preparations for expanding the western "Brosh" industrial zone near Beit Shemesh, centers around an extraordinary public building believed to have served ceremonial purposes.

Inside the structure, researchers found a chamber containing about 40 perfectly preserved vessels, including numerous miniature ceremonial items. "It is interesting that these many pots and juglets were placed here just shortly before the entire site was abandoned forever," said excavation directors Ariel Shatil, Maayan Hemed, and Danny Ben-Ayon of the Israel Antiquities Authority. "You can literally imagine the people who put down this ware and left it all here. It is not known what happened in this room later, but there are signs of burning, and vessels that fell on top of each other. Laboratory examination of their former contents of the vessels using different scientific methods will shed additional light on the site: We will be able to tell if they contained oil, water, wheat – or perhaps they were specifically for exotic oils or other substances."

"The size of this structure, its broad walls, the benches inside it and other variables indicate that it is an important and exceptional structure with a public function – perhaps a temple," the excavation directors explained. "We know almost no public buildings in Israel from this ancient period and earlier. This is probably one of the earliest temples ever discovered in the Judean Lowlands."

Near the main structure, archaeologists discovered an enclosed area featuring large standing stones arranged in rows. "The standing stones were erected even before this enclosed public building was erected," said Dr. Yitzhak Paz, an Early Bronze Age specialist at the Israel Antiquities Authority. "Their presence promises to be instructive of the socio-political process involved in the founding of the cultic service in Hurvat Husham – it seems that originally there was an open cultic activity area for the general public which then transformed into ritual activity in an enclosed compound with more controlled access. This development process on the site, along with other processes, attests to an increase in social complexity."

The site, first discovered in 2021 during excavations led by Marion Zindel and Natan Ben-Ari, has been under extensive investigation for the past three and a half years. The excavation also revealed two pottery kilns for vessel production, ranking among the earliest ever found in Israel. "The site uncovered in Hurvat Husham is exceptional not only because of its size, but because it reveals to us some of the first characteristics of the transition from village life to urban life," the excavation directors explained. "The site teaches us that about 5,000 years ago, the first steps were already taken towards the development of an urban society in the Judean Lowlands. A few generations later, we already see large cities in the area, surrounded by a wall, with palaces and other buildings – such as at the site of Tel Yarmouth, which is in this site's range of vision."

The Early Bronze Age, roughly 5,000 years ago, represented a pivotal moment in ancient Israel's history. This era witnessed significant population growth and the emergence of the first hierarchical complex society. These changes manifested in ambitious public construction projects, including defensive walls, fortifications, and religious and administrative buildings. The period also saw the development of specialized crafts and extensive trade networks reaching Egypt, Syria, Anatolia, and Mesopotamia.

According to Israel Antiquities Authority Director Eli Escusido, "The Land of Israel, due to its nature and its geographical location, was a fertile ground for the development of ancient civilizations. The Hurvat Husham site uncovered by the researchers of the Israel Antiquities Authority, reveals another important piece in the puzzle of urban development in our region."

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A vast quarry dating back to the late Second Temple period has been unearthed in Jerusalem's Har Hotzvim Hi-Tech Park, offering new insights into the city's ancient construction industry. The excavation, led by the Israel Antiquities Authority, has yielded rare stone vessels and enormous building blocks, potentially linked to King Herod's ambitious architectural projects, including the expansion of the Temple Mount.

The excavated area covers about 37,700 square feet and is part of a larger quarry complex. Archaeologists have discovered stone vessels at the site, which, according to Jewish law, do not contract ritual impurity and are characteristic of the Jewish population. During the dig, archaeologists uncovered dozens of building stones of various sizes, as well as quarrying and separation channels, indicating the scale of the rock blocks extracted from the site.

According to the Israel Antiquities Authority's Michael Chernin and Lara Shilov, the majority of building stones quarried at the site are enormous rock slabs. These massive stones typically measured around 8 feet in length, 4 feet in width, and 16 inches in thickness. Each of these colossal blocks weighed approximately 2.5 tons. Chernin and Shilov noted that the sheer size of these stones indicates they were likely destined for use in one of the numerous state-sponsored construction projects in Jerusalem during the late Second Temple period. These projects began during the reign of King Herod the Great, who ruled from 37 to 4 BCE.

Historical sources indicate that Herod's construction projects in Jerusalem primarily focused on expanding the Temple Mount area and renovating the Temple itself. Additionally, his reign saw the construction of numerous impressive public buildings throughout the city, including palaces and fortifications, which required vast quantities of high-quality building stones. Monumental construction projects continued under Herod's successors, with the most significant being the construction of the city's "Third Wall" by Herod's grandson, King Agrippa I (37-44 CE).

Chernin and Shilov speculated that a portion of the stones extracted from this quarry may have been used as paving materials for Jerusalem's streets during the period in question. They base this speculation on findings from a separate, recent excavation conducted by the Israel Antiquities Authority in the City of David. This dig uncovered a paved thoroughfare known as the Stepped Street or Pilgrims' Road, which dates back to the late Second Temple era. Intriguingly, the paving stones found on this ancient street match the dimensions, thickness, and geological makeup of the stone slabs currently being unearthed at the Har Hotzvim quarry site. This similarity suggests a potential link between the two locations and their roles in ancient Jerusalem's urban development.

In one corner of the quarry, archaeologists made a surprising discovery: an intact stone vessel. Hidden for two millennia, the vessel was found almost by chance by archaeologist Alex Wiegmann. Shilov explained, "This is a ritual purity vessel made of stone, a type commonly used by the Jewish community during the Second Temple period. It may have been crafted on-site in the quarry area, or perhaps brought specifically to serve the quarry workers."

The ongoing excavation sheds new light on Jerusalem's history during its golden age, shortly before its destruction by the Romans in 70 CE.

Amit Re'em, Jerusalem district archeologist at the Israel Antiquities Authority, explained, "We are working diligently with the developer to showcase the quarry and integrate it into the planned commercial complex. This will allow the public to appreciate the massive scale of stone quarrying operations for Jerusalem during the Second Temple period."

Eli Escusido, director-general of the Israel Antiquities Authority, remarked, "The unveiling of this enormous quarry, just before the Nine Days and Tisha B'Av, carries great symbolic and emotional significance. The unique stone vessels discovered here will be displayed to families at the National Campus for the Archaeology of Israel in Jerusalem, which is open to the public for the first time this summer. I encourage everyone to join our tours and experience a piece of history that has just emerged from the ground."

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A 13-year-old boy from Haifa has made an extraordinary discovery during a family hike on Mount Carmel, unearthing an 1,800-year-old ring featuring an engraving of the Roman goddess of war, Minerva (known also as Athena in Greek mythology), the Israel Antiquities Authority revealed Wednesday.

Yair Whiteson, an avid collector of fossils and rocks, spotted the small green object while hiking with his father near the ancient quarry site below Khirbet Shalala on Mount Carmel. Initially mistaking it for a rusty bolt, Whiteson quickly realized he had found something far more valuable. The IAA has confirmed the authenticity and historical significance of the find.

"While hiking, I noticed a small green item and picked it up," Whiteson said. "It was corroded, and at first, I thought it was just a rusty bolt. I thought about heating it, but then, fortunately, I understood it was a ring. At home, I saw an image on it. At first glance, I thought it was a warrior."

The family contacted Nir Distelfeld, an inspector at the IAA's Theft Prevention Unit, who transferred the ring to the National Treasures Department for examination. Experts, including Professor Shua Amorai-Stark from Kaye Academic College, analyzed the artifact.

According to Distelfeld and Dr. Eitan Klein from the IAA, the ring features a helmeted naked figure holding a shield and a spear. "Yair's identification of the figure as a warrior is very close to reality," they explained. "The figure is apparently the goddess Minerva from Roman mythology, known also as Athena in Greek mythology."

Researchers believe the small bronze ring likely belonged to a woman or girl during the Late Roman Period (2-3 century CE). The discovery site, near Khirbet Shalala, contains remains of a Roman-era farmstead and an ancient rock quarry with two burial caves nearby.

"The ring may have belonged to a woman who lived on this farm. Or, it might have fallen from a quarry worker, or it may have been a burial offering from these nearby graves. There are many possibilities," the researchers said.

Khirbet Shalala, the archaeological site near where the ring was found, has been previously documented by various expeditions, including the 19th century Palestine Exploration Fund surveyors and Israeli archaeologists Professors Ruth Amiran and Shimon Dar.

In recognition of his discovery, Whiteson and his family were invited for a tour of the new Jay and Jeanie Schottenstein National Campus for the Archaeology of Israel and received a commendation for good citizenship.

The IAA emphasized that this find contributes to the existing archaeological knowledge of the area. "The ring now connects to data gathered here in earlier excavations and surveys and sheds additional light onto this site," Distelfeld and Klein concluded.

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Israeli archaeologists have announced a groundbreaking discovery – the remains of what is believed to be the oldest shipwreck found in deep waters. Hundreds of intact amphorae, ancient storage jars dating back approximately 3,300 years, were discovered 90 kilometers (56 miles) off the northern coast of Israel, resting at a depth of 1,800 meters (5,905 feet) on the seabed.

"This is both the first and the oldest ship found in the Eastern Mediterranean deep sea, ninety kilometers from the nearest shore. This is a world-class history-changing discovery: This find reveals to us as never before the ancient mariners' navigational skills," said Jacob Sharvit, head of the Israel Antiquities Authority's (IAA) marine unit, noting that it challenges previous academic assumptions that trade during the late Bronze Age was conducted by hugging coastlines within sight of land. "From this geographical point, only the horizon is visible all around. To navigate they probably used the celestial bodies, by taking sightings and angles of the sun and star positions." The IAA believes the ship likely sank due to a storm or pirate attack.

The wreck was initially spotted by submersible robots belonging to the oil and gas company Energean, during a routine survey for potential new energy sources off the Israeli coast. Dr. Karnit Bahartan Head of the Environmental Staff at Energean stated, "Cameras picked up what seemed to be a large pile of jugs heaped on the seafloor."

Due to the immense significance of this discovery, Energean assembled a team that collaborated closely with experts from the Israel Antiquities Authority to meticulously examine the shipwreck. They utilized their "Energean Star" vessel, equipped for deep-sea operations. The company's technicians devised a unique and intricate plan, even constructing a specialized tool to extract artifacts while minimizing the risk of damage to the entire assemblage. Over the course of two days at sea, the Energean team retrieved two vessels, each from opposite ends of the ship, to minimize disturbances to the intact assemblage of the boat and its cargo.

The two amphorae are believed to have been used by the Canaanite people who inhabited an area stretching from modern-day Turkey to Egypt. "The vessel type identified in the cargo was designed as the most efficient means of transporting relatively cheap and mass-produced products such as oil, wine, and other agricultural products such as fruit. Finding such a great quantity of amphorae on board one single ship is testimony to significant commercial ties between their country of origin and the ancient Near Eastern lands on the Mediterranean coast," says Sharvit.

The discovered jars are expected to be displayed at the National Campus for the Archaeology of Israel in Jerusalem this summer.

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Tefillin, or phylacteries, during the Second Temple period around 2,000 years ago were not intentionally dyed black, contrary to the long-held Jewish tradition codified in the Talmud, a new study has revealed.

Researchers from Ariel University, the Israel Antiquities Authority, the University of Exeter (Britain), and the Weizmann Institute of Science conducted extensive scientific analysis of ancient leather tefillin cases discovered in caves near Qumran in the Judean Desert. Their findings, published Thursday in the prestigious PLOS ONE journal, contradict the long-held halachic tradition that tefillin must be dyed black – a ruling from a Talmud sage, who declared that having black tefillin was a religious law originating from Moses at Mount Sinai.

Since the Talmudic era, it has been standard practice to dye tefillin cases black. However, the multidisciplinary study, spanning several years, revealed no evidence that the early tefillin were artificially colored.

"This is an extremely important discovery," Professor Yonatan Adler of Ariel University, who led the research, said. "For the first time, tefillin were scientifically examined for their original color. Where the leather appeared very dark, we now know this resulted from natural aging and degradation over two millennia, not intentional dyeing."

The rare ancient tefillin artifacts were analyzed using advanced spectroscopic techniques and chemical compositional tests. The findings suggest that the black color stipulation emerged later in rabbinic tradition rather than as an original requirement.

"It seems likely that initially, there was no halachic significance to the tefillin's color," Adler explained. "Only in a later period did the sages rule they must be dyed black, though there remained disagreements over whether it was an obligation or merely for aesthetic reasons."

Ilit Cohen-Ofri and Yonah Maor of the Antiquities Authority's Dead Sea Scrolls unit highlighted how the research illuminates the dynamic evolution of Jewish law over generations. Adler noted, "Our studies of these ancient tefillin teach us that halakhah was always a vibrant, living tradition – the opposite of the static perception."

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An extraordinary discovery has captivated archaeologists and historians alike – a 2,300-year-old gold ring unearthed in the City of David, a renowned archaeological site in Jerusalem. The delicate artifact, likely belonging to a child during the Hellenistic period, was found during a joint excavation by the Israel Antiquities Authority and Tel Aviv University, supported by the Elad Foundation.

Tehiya Gangate, a member of the excavation team, recounted the exhilarating moment of the find: "I was sifting through the earth, and suddenly, I saw something glitter. I immediately yelled, 'I found a ring, I found a ring!' Within seconds, everyone gathered around me, and there was great excitement. This is an emotionally moving find, not the kind you find every day. In truth, I always wanted to find gold jewelry, and I am very happy this dream came true – literally a week before I went on maternity leave."

Dr. Yiftah Shalev and Riki Zalut Har-tov, directors of the excavation for the Israel Antiquities Authority, provided insights into the ring's significance. "The ring is very small. It would fit a woman's pinky, or a young girl or boy's finger," they explained. Dr. Marion Zindel noted that the ring was meticulously crafted by hammering thin gold leaves onto a metal base, reflecting the prevalent fashion of the Persian and Early Hellenistic periods from the late 4th to early 3rd century BCE.

Professor Yuval Gadot of Tel Aviv University and excavator Efrat Bocher highlighted the broader implications of this find, stating, "The recently-found gold ring joins other ornaments of the early Hellenistic period found in the City of David excavations, including the horned-animal earring and the decorated gold bead." They added, "These new finds tell a different story: The aggregate of revealed structures now constitutes an entire neighborhood. They attest to both domestic and public buildings, and that the city extended from the hilltop westward. The character of the buildings – and now, of course, the gold finds and other discoveries, display the city's healthy economy and even its elite status."

Gold jewelry was a hallmark of the Hellenistic world, with Alexander the Great's conquests facilitating the spread of luxury goods across the eastern Mediterranean Basin. Eli Escusido, head of the Israel Antiquities Authority, emphasized the significance of such discoveries, stating, "The excavation in ancient Jerusalem reveals invaluable information to us about our past."

The rare find will be exhibited to the public for the first time during the free "Jerusalem Mysteries" conference hosted by the Israel Antiquities Authority on Jerusalem Day, shedding light on the city's rich history and the lives of its inhabitants during the Hellenistic era.

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A group of antiquities thieves were caught red-handed as they were allegedly plundering an ancient archaeological site in southern Judea, the Israel Antiquities Authority reported last week.

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The robbers were digging at Horvat Zaak, an ancient Jewish village dating back to the Second Temple period.

A seemingly innocent picnic by three adults and two children caught the attention of Border Police volunteers, who inspected the visitors' vehicles and found digging tools inside.

They also heard noises underground and when a man with muddy gloves emerged from a nearby cave, they immediately understood that they had stumbled upon an antiquities robbery.

A special Israel Antiquities Authority unit for preventing such robberies was immediately alerted. Officers arrested five Bedouin suspects from Tel Arad and Rahat – a Bedouin Arab town in the Negev – and confiscated digging tools and metal detectors. One suspect managed to escape.

The robbers broke into a previously unknown underground warehouse system believed to date back to the Roman period. They were arraigned at a local police station, interrogated and, released on bail. Charges are expected to be pressed against the suspects soon. If convicted, they could face a five-year prison sentence for illegal excavation and destruction of antiquities.

"Destruction of antiquities is done out of greed, and harms our heritage," the Israel Antiquities Authority said. "Any damage [caused] to the archeological strata and the antiquities in it is disastrous and irreversible, which makes it difficult for archaeologists to piece together the historical puzzle picture of the land of Israel."

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Archaeologists from the Israel Antiquities Authority on Thursday unveiled impressive underground constructions – what may have been a 2,000-year-old city council building – dating from the end of the Second Temple period located in the Old City of Jerusalem, just a few hundred meters from its modern counterpart.

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The grand structure is a new feature on the revamped Western Wall Tunnels Tour, which allows tourists to visit the millennia-old city that exists in a time warp under today's thriving capital.

With a luxurious lobby, parts of which the IAA has already revealed, the edifice includes a sophisticated fountain and was likely used for banquets and other gatherings of the local elite or to receive foreign dignitaries within walking distance of the Temple.

"It is a truly magnificent building, one of the most splendid public buildings we know of dating from the Second Temple period," said Shlomit Weksler-Bdolah, an archaeologist at the IAA.

The Second Jewish Temple was built in the 6th century BCE, after the Babylonians destroyed the first one in 586 BCE. The original iteration was a modest replica of King Solomon's magnificent building, although King Herod undertook a massive construction project – which can still be seen today in the 144,000 square meter (1.55 million square feet) Temple Mount platform. The Romans destroyed the temple that stood at its heart in 70 CE.

The Western Wall is the only vestige of an outside retaining wall. Above the Wall stretches the Temple Mount.

At the time of the Temple, the banquet hall, partly unveiled on Thursday, was divided into several segments, and "very, very impressive ritual baths" were dug there, Weksler-Bdolah said, adding that it was still difficult to understand the timeline and motivations for construction.

According to the excavations, the site was no longer in use in the 7th century, shortly after the Muslim conquest. From this period, the inhabitants of Jerusalem lived at street level, a few meters above the underground hall.

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The newly discovered pieces, characterized by their sophistication, show how keen the rulers of Jerusalem were to leave their mark on the city, especially in the area near the Temple Mount, according to Weksler-Bdolah.

This article was first published by i24NEWS.

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