When archaeologists began digging below an abandoned building in Jerusalem’s Old City 15 years ago as part of an effort to expand a museum there, they likely had no idea what they were about to stumble upon. There, underneath the floor, they uncovered what’s left of the suspected palace where Jesus’ trial might have taken place before his crucifixion — a monumental event that is recounted in the New Testament, according to the Washington Post. Prior to digging, researchers knew that the location had housed an old prison used by the Ottoman Empire, but finding what they believe to be Herod the Great’s palace was a surprise. Archaeologists made the stunning find while preparing to expand the Tower of David Museum, which provides exhibits documenting Jerusalem’s history. “During the archaeological excavations that took place there over the last decade a ‘timeline’ of Jerusalem was discovered – finds from the First Temple Period, the remains of Herod’s palace and tanneries and dying pools from the Middle Ages,” reads a description on the Tower of David website.
Posted on: Mon, 05 Jan 2015 22:35:57 +0000