2008 Seasons of Excavations

Two seasons of excavations took place at Mount Zion in 2008. The intention was to reach first century CE houses at the site, as well as from Byzantine and Early Islamic periods.

The spring season was held from March 2nd (Sunday) to March 28 (Friday). The summer season was held from June 15 (Sunday) to July 25 (Friday).

Excavations revealed a stratigraphic complexity in regard to the superimposed early Islamic and Early Roman periods. It would appear that the upper level consists of a large structure with plastered walls and mosaic floors, dating from the Umayyid period (7th century). The tops of walls which we came across in the March season were substantially clarified and articulated in the summer season. They appear to represent massive consolidation walls from the Byzantine period, but whether or not they date from the time of Theodosius or Justinian has yet to be determined. Clearly, the area needs to be expanded in future seasons so that we can get a better and clearer piicture of the Byzantine remains, which are quite substantial. A corner of a structure from the Second Temple period was indeed found, and it was constructed over bedrock. It would appear that a gully existed running an an oblique angle, further to the south to this patch of bedrock.