Discovery of Second Temple Era Quarry in Jerusalem's Hi-Tech Park

In a remarkable archaeological find, one of the largest ancient quarries ever discovered in Jerusalem has been unearthed in the city's bustling hi-tech park. This discovery provides an invaluable glimpse into the Second Temple period, a time of significant development and construction in Jerusalem. The Israeli Antiquities Authority announced the discovery on Thursday, highlighting its historical importance.

“Revealing this huge quarry, just before the Nine Days and the Ninth of Av, the time of year when the Jewish people the world over mourn the Jerusalem that was lost in these days, is symbolic and very moving,” stated Eli Escusido, Director of the Israeli Antiquities Authority. The ninth day of the Hebrew month of Av, beginning at sundown on Monday, marks the anniversary of the destruction of the First and Second Temples, making this discovery even more poignant.

The excavation site, located in the Har Hotzvim hi-tech park, covers approximately 3,500 square meters and reveals only a portion of the extensive quarry. The dig has brought to light numerous building stones of varying sizes, as well as quarrying and cutting trenches outlining the dimensions of the extracted blocks.

The stones uncovered include massive rock slabs, some measuring up to 2.5 meters in length, 1.2 meters in width, and 40 centimeters in thickness, each weighing around two-and-a-half tons. “Most of the building stones extracted from here were huge rock slabs, likely intended for Jerusalem’s many royal construction projects during the late Second Temple period,” explained excavation directors Michael Chernin and Lara Shilov.

These monumental construction efforts began under King Herod the Great’s reign (37-4 BCE), a period marked by expansive projects such as the enlargement of the Temple Mount and the construction of numerous public buildings, palaces, and fortifications. The construction continued under Herod’s successors, including the Third Wall by his grandson, King Agrippa I (37-44 CE).

The quarry’s connection to other significant sites in Jerusalem has also been established. “It is reasonable to assume that at least some of the building stones extracted here were used as pavement slabs for Jerusalem’s streets during that period,” noted Chernin and Shilov. Excavations in the City of David have uncovered a paved street, the “Pilgrim’s Road,” dating back to the late Second Temple period. The paving stones from this street match the size, thickness, and geological signature of the stone slabs from the Har Hotzvim quarry.

Adding to the significance of this discovery, two stone vessels were found, which are impervious to ritual defilement according to Jewish law. These vessels suggest the presence of a Jewish population in the area. One of these vessels, an intact stone purification receptacle, was discovered hidden in a corner of the quarry. “This is a stone purification vessel of the type that served the Jewish community during the Second Temple period,” Shilov noted, though it remains unclear whether the vessel was produced at the quarry or brought there for workers' use.

The Israeli Antiquities Authority is collaborating with the developer to preserve and integrate the quarry into the planned commercial complex. “The entire public will gain a lasting impression of this tremendous enterprise’s grandeur—quarrying the building stones for Jerusalem when the Second Temple was standing,” said Dr. Amit Re’em, the Antiquities Authority’s Jerusalem District Supervisor.

This discovery not only enriches our understanding of ancient Jerusalem but also strengthens the connection between modern Israel and its historical roots. As we continue to uncover and preserve these treasures, we invite you to share this story and subscribe to our newsletter to stay updated on Israel's rich archaeological heritage and vibrant culture.