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The first - C quarry , which fit into theSecond Temple Period(538 B.C. to A.D. 70 ) , would ’ve view as the Brobdingnagian stones used in the construction of the metropolis ’s ancient buildings , the researcher notice .
Archaeologists also uncovered pick axis and wedges among other artifacts at the internet site in the modern - day Ramat Shlomo Quarter , a neighbourhood in northern East Jerusalem .
A quarry from the time of the Second Temple, along with various tools and a 2,000-year-old key, were uncovered in Jerusalem.
" The quarrying phenomenon created a outstanding sight of fundamentals column and steps and craters of sorts that were the event of the stone - cuttings , " Irina Zilberbod , IAA excavation director , said in a statement . " What remained are rock masses in various stagecoach of quarrying , and there were those that were recover in a preliminary microscope stage of rock - cutting prior to detachment . " [ In Photos : Amazing Ruins of the Ancient World ]
Some of the Brobdingnagian stones would ’ve pass on about 6.5 feet ( 2 meters ) in length and weighed ten if not hundreds of tons , the researchers state .
In sum , the team uncovered an area of around 11,000 square feet ( 1,000 square measure ) where the ancient quarry would ’ve subsist . The pit connects with other previously identify quarries , all of which seem to be situated in Jerusalem ’s so - prognosticate " urban center of quarry " date to the Second Temple menstruum . In a shot report in 2007 and completed before the building of an elementary school in the Ramat Shlomo Quarter , IAA scientist had uncovered another Second Temple quarry . The stones from this quarry , some of which reach 26 feet ( 8 m ) in length , would have been used byKing Herodfor his Temple at the Temple Mount and other monumental edifice , according to the IAA and news story . ( Temple Mount , also called Noble Sanctuary by Muslims , is a spiritual site inthe Holy Landof Jerusalem . )
Various tools, including a 2,000-year-old key (center of image), were also discovered at the Second Temple quarry in Jerusalem.
As for what made this area in Jerusalem such a draw for rocks , the researchers suggest the Meleke rock formation there may be part of the reason . Meleke stone , they say , is easy quarry and hardens like a shot after being cut and shaped ( or hewn ) . Also , this area would ’ve been elevated above the city of Jerusalem during the Second Temple period , perhaps making transport of the enormous stones wanton since the trek would ’ve been downhill .
In fact , researchers discovered a first - century road next to the stone pit that may have been used for stone transport .
The scientist are n’t sure how exactly the jumbo stones would ’ve been travel along this route . They mistrust Bos taurus and wooden rollers would ’ve done the trick , but some historical records observe giant wood - lifting devices were around at the fourth dimension and may have been used .
