Jerusalem Excavation Uncovers Thousands of Years of History Near Jaffa Gate

Unearthing Ancient Jerusalem

• 📍 An archaeological excavation near Jerusalem's Jaffa Gate, within the Kishle complex of the Tower of David, has revealed layers of history spanning millennia.
• 🔑 The dig uncovers remnants from the Ottoman and British periods, including a British jail erected in the 1930s within an 1830s Ottoman building.

Crusader Industry and Herod's Palace

• 🛠️ Beneath the more recent structures, archaeologists found evidence of industry from the Crusader period dating back to the 12th century CE.
• 🏛️ Further excavation revealed two massive parallel walls, believed to be the foundations of King Herod's private palace from the 1st century BC, with the palace's main sewage system underneath.
• 🕎 The site also contains Hasmonian fortifications buried deep within the system, linking to the rededication of the Second Jewish Temple.

New Museum Wing and Visitor Experience

• ✨ The discoveries are part of the preparation for the Tower of David Jerusalem Museum's new Shoulick wing, focusing on archaeology, art, and innovation.
• 🖼️ Future visitors will experience the site through a floating glass floor, allowing views of the ancient remains, enhanced by projections and models.
• 📜 Museum director Elot Liieber emphasizes the goal of bringing Jerusalem's rich and complex history to the public, showcasing layers from the modern state of Israel down to ancient Jewish history.