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The goal of the Mount Zion Project is to finally explore the area just inside what is believed to be, the Essene gate. The Essene gate, which is now in ruins, was part of the wall surrounding First Century (Herodian) Jerusalem. Excavated by archaeologist Bargil Pixner in 1977, the gate is mentioned by Flavius Josephus in his description of the Walls of Jerusalem (Wars B5, C4.2 -145). The gate opened into what was most likely the Essene Quarter in Jesus' time. The Essene Quarter was among other things, the traditional site of the scene of the Last Supper, and the descent of the Holy Spirit as recorded in Acts 2. This should prove to be an important site to study so that we might develop a greater understanding of the earliest Christian origins. The Mt Zion excavation site is just outside the present Old City wall, along the road between the Zion Gate and the Dung Gate, but in Roman times it was well inside the walls of the ancient city of Jerusalem. (See Map of Mt Zion.)
In 1977-78 archaeological excavations were undertaken in a small area situated below the southern Old City wall of Jerusalem, about 100 metres to the east of the Zion Gate, by M. Broshi of the Israel Museum. The object of that excavation was to clarify the date of the fortification tower situated at the base of the wall, and to establish the stratigraphy of the area to its south. These excavations were intended to allow for the construction of a new gate to an underground car-park within the Jewish Quarter. Since the plan to build this underground car-park was not undertaken, the excavations ceased in 1978 abruptly, and were not resumed. The area was later included within the Jerusalem Municipal gardens and it was surrounded by a low fence, but the deep pits in the excavation were a constant danger to passer-bys. In 2000 the excavations at the site were resumed with two objectives: to record available stratigraphical data on the earlier excavations, and to clarify the chronology of the different levels at the site, ranging from Second Temple, Byzantine, Early Islamic to Ayyubid, and Ottoman periods. In March 2007, the excavations at the site were resumed, picking up where we had left off in 2000. The object of the current excavations is to answer questions about the history of the strata represented at the site, from the Iron Age through to Medieval times. A new project will be undertaken in 2008 by Dr. Shimon Gibson and Dr. James Tabor sponsored by The University of North Carolina at Charlotte. There will be two seasons of excavation at Mount Zion in 2008. We intend to excavate the well-preserved first century CE houses at the site, as well as houses from Byzantine and Early Islamic periods, and to clarify the early 13th century fortification collapse. The spring season will be from March 2nd (Sunday) to March 28 (Friday). The minimum stay for this season is one week. The summer season will be in two sessions: from June 15 (Sunday) to July 25 (Friday), and from August 17 (Sunday) to September 12 (Friday). For information about joining this project contact Dig Mount Zion. Dr. Tabor writes on his blog: We are planning a dig season lasting from March 2 through the end of the month. Volunteers are welcome and we will be publishing full details about costs, registration, and requirements here on this Blog as well as in the January issue of Biblical Archaeology Review, in the “dig” issue that is published at the beginning of each year. Because of the Lebanon War it could well be that many digs previously planned will be curtailed, but we will have to see. Right now we plan to move ahead and by January 15th we should be able to give anyone interested a definite “green light” to join us. We are working out costs and group accommodations, meals, and a field training school. No experience is necessary. Volunteers must come for at least one week. To dig in Jerusalem is truly a dream come true and I can think of no place that has more inherent interest and importance–both to our past and our future.  Dig Mount Zion Official Web SiteChurch of the Apostles Found On Mt. ZionJerusalem's Essene Gateway: Where the Community Lived In Jesus' Time (Articles Courtesy of Biblical Archaeology Review) Reading: Pixner's With Jesus In Jerusalem
Works Of Josephus |