Quarry discovery solves mystery of Herod’s temple giant construction stones

Archaeologists have unearthed the quarry believed to have supplied the stones for Jerusalem's Second Temple, a site of immense historical and religious significance. The Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) revealed in a statement that the quarry, spanning 3,500 square meters, is located in the Har Hotzvim area of Jerusalem. It contains large stones, some weighing approximately 2.5 tonnes, that were used in the construction of the temple. The excavation also yielded a stone jar likely employed for purification rituals.

Historical context

The quarry dates back to the time of King Herod, who reigned over Judea more than 2,000 years ago and undertook extensive restoration of the Second Temple. The quarry was operational until around AD 70, when the Roman Empire captured Jerusalem following a major revolt. The discovery was made during excavations conducted in preparation for a new commercial complex. The IAA has announced plans to incorporate the quarry site into the new development.

Insights from the discovery

Professor Amos Frumkin, an expert at the Institute of Earth Sciences at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, commented on the find, noting that it "provides valuable insights into the scale of construction activities in Jerusalem during its peak period." He added that the quarry reflects "the city's industrial capabilities and the immense resources that went into its monumental architecture."

Historical significance of the second temple

The Second Temple was constructed after the Babylonians destroyed the first temple in 587 BC, also known as Solomon's Temple. The new temple, completed during the reign of Persian King Darius I, was extensively renovated and expanded in the 1st century BCE by Herod the Great, leading to its alternative name, Herod's Temple. It served as the principal site for Jewish worship, ritual sacrifice, and communal gatherings until its destruction in 70 CE during the first Jewish–Roman War.