The Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) revealed in early August that the largest quarry from the Second Temple period had been discovered in Jerusalem.

In progress revelation During excavations in the Har Hotzvim area of ​​Jerusalem, a large number of building stones of various sizes, but mostly gigantic, were discovered in the remains of a quarry. According to To the IAA. Researchers believe that some of the stones were likely used as paving slabs in Jerusalem's streets at that time.

“Each stone weighed 2.5 tonnes. The impressive size of the stones from this quarry likely attests to their intended use in one of the many royal building projects in Jerusalem during the late Second Temple period, which began under the reign of Herod the Great in 37-4 BC,” excavation directors Michael Chernin and Lara Shilov said. “Historical sources indicate that Herod's building projects in Jerusalem included, first and foremost, the expansion of the Temple Mount area and the Temple itself.” (Related: Ancient fortress discovered in Holy Land reveals hidden history)

The researchers also found a stone vessel in the quarry that had been “hidden in a corner for 2,000 years” and is thought to have been a purification vessel commonly used during the Second Temple period.

The Archaeological Institute of India's finds at another site known as the Pilgrims' Way also date to the Second Temple period, and stone slabs in the paved road match those found at Har Khotzvim, the Institute noted. (Related: The Most Surprising Bible Discoveries of 2023)

This is the path that Jesus Christ and his disciples walked, leading to the Pool of Siloam, where Jesus performed the miracle of restoring sight to a blind man. Christian Post attentionExcavation at the site is still ongoing, and as with most archaeological excavations in Israel, there are likely to be more amazing discoveries to come.