Excavations

Charles Warren’s Excavations (1867–1870)

British engineer and archaeologist Charles Warren conducted the first systematic exploration of the Temple Mount’s underground structures under the sponsorship of the Palestine Exploration Fund. Since excavations on the surface were prohibited, Warren employed vertical shafts and tunnels to investigate beneath the mount, mapping ancient water channels, subterranean chambers, and the foundations of the Temple Mount walls. His discoveries included Warren’s Shaft, a critical component of Jerusalem’s ancient water system, and the identification of the lower courses of Herodian masonry. His work laid the foundation for future archaeological studies of the site’s substructures.

Montague Parker’s Expedition (1909–1911)

Led by British aristocrat Montague Parker, this controversial expedition was fueled by a desire to uncover biblical treasures, particularly the Ark of the Covenant. Parker’s team, operating in secrecy, conducted unauthorized excavations beneath the Temple Mount and in the surrounding areas. Their activities, which included bribing Ottoman officials and secretly tunneling under the Dome of the Rock, ultimately led to local outrage and riots. While no significant finds were recorded, the expedition contributed to early surveys of the site’s underground chambers and reinforced the sensitivities surrounding archaeological work on the Temple Mount.

Benjamin Mazar’s Excavations (1968–1978)

Following Israel’s control of East Jerusalem after the Six-Day War, large-scale excavations were conducted south of the Temple Mount under the direction of Israeli archaeologist Benjamin Mazar. His team unearthed significant remains from the Second Temple period, including sections of the massive Herodian retaining walls, Robinson’s Arch, and public structures that once led up to the mount. The excavations also revealed remnants of Byzantine, Islamic, and Crusader-period buildings, offering a multi-layered understanding of the site’s history. Mazar’s work was pivotal in reconstructing the architectural grandeur of Herodian Jerusalem.

Meir Ben-Dov’s Western Wall Excavations (1968–1982)

As part of the post-1967 archaeological efforts, Meir Ben-Dov led extensive excavations around the Western Wall and the southern sections of the Temple Mount. His work uncovered Second Temple-period streets, ritual baths (mikva’ot), and remnants of the grand staircase leading up to the mount. His team also discovered remains of later periods, including early Islamic structures and Mamluk-era modifications. These excavations helped piece together the urban layout of ancient Jerusalem and the role of the Temple Mount as a central religious and civic hub.

Nahman Avigad’s Jewish Quarter Excavations (1969–1982)

Though not directly on the Temple Mount, Nahman Avigad’s excavations in the Jewish Quarter of the Old City provided crucial insights into Jerusalem’s Second Temple-era elite. He unearthed remains of large public buildings, priestly mansions, and fortifications that shed light on the city’s ruling class during the late Second Temple period. Among his significant discoveries were the “Burnt House,” evidence of the Roman destruction in 70 CE, and an extensive section of the city’s walls from various periods. His work contextualized the significance of the Temple Mount within the broader urban landscape.

The Temple Mount Sifting Project (1999–present)

In 1999, the Islamic Waqf conducted unauthorized construction work on the Temple Mount, dumping tons of soil from the Solomon’s Stables area into the Kidron Valley. Recognizing the potential archaeological loss, Dr. Gabriel Barkay and Zachi Dvira launched the Temple Mount Sifting Project to analyze this displaced material. Using meticulous sifting techniques, the project has recovered thousands of artifacts spanning from the First Temple period to the modern era. Finds include ancient coins, pottery, inscriptions, and architectural fragments, offering invaluable insights into the Temple Mount’s history despite the inability to conduct direct excavations on the site.

Eilat Mazar’s Ophel Excavations (2009–2018)

Israeli archaeologist Eilat Mazar led extensive excavations in the Ophel, an area south of the Temple Mount, revealing structures from the First Temple period and later periods. Among the most significant discoveries was a large royal structure attributed to the 10th century BCE, possibly linked to the Davidic or Solomonic era. In addition, her team uncovered a 14th-century BCE Akkadian cuneiform fragment, one of the oldest written documents found in Jerusalem. These excavations provided crucial evidence of Jerusalem’s administrative importance before and during the biblical periods.

Western Wall Tunnels Excavations (Ongoing since 1985)

The Western Wall Tunnels project has been one of the most extensive archaeological endeavors in Jerusalem, aimed at uncovering the hidden sections of the Western Wall and its surrounding structures. Excavations have revealed massive Herodian stones, underground water channels, and architectural features that were part of the Second Temple complex. Among the most notable finds is the “Western Stone,” one of the largest building blocks used in the Temple Mount’s construction. The tunnels provide a glimpse into the engineering marvels of Herodian Jerusalem and the historical significance of the site across different periods.

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