New Pictures from the Trench that was dug in the Dome of the Rock Exterior Platform

Following is a video of the CPDATM member visit at the new trench that was dug in the Temple Mount upper platform near the Dome of the Rock – the site of the Temple. We were not allowed to pick up any archaeological artifacts from the soil, while in the same time the Waqf's tractor was maneuvering the earth. In the video I. Caspi (the committee chair) is asking the police chief officer of the Temple Mount what should we do if we find an ancient seal in the soil. At the distance archaeologist E. Mazar is seen examining the soil and a policemen is sent over to her in order to guard that she will not touch anything.

More video pictures could be seen in an article published by Channel 10 news.

Following are pictures taken in the last days.

Monday 9/7/07 (Taken by Gideon Charlap)

The trench. The trench at it's southern edge reach the depth of 2-3 feet. The bedrock at that location is about 2-4 feet below the level of the current platform.

Architectural remains at the northern section of the trench that are located beneath the current platform foundation.

Wednesday 11/7/07 (taken by Zachi Zweig)

The trench after it was refilled.

Many pottery shards were seen in the soil that came out of the trench.

A floor tile from the Second Temple period made of bitumen.

An fragment of an ancient glass vessel.

A fragment of a wall tile made of black marble with white veins.

The spare soil that wasn't used to cover back the trench was dumped in the improvised dump yard at the eastern section of the Temple Mount.