Southern Wall Excavations

Let’s go back those retaining walls. There were four made by Herod. Did you know that in addition to the Western Wall, the Southern and Eastern walls are still fully intact. Part of the North wall is standing today. We made our way to the Southern Wall Excavations.

Here we sat outside the wall in some ancient store fronts form the Temple era. In one of these store fronts many coins were found, which means it was a money changing store for Jews who came from far and needed to exchange their money for the ½ shekel. The other store sold doves for offerings. In this shop a sign was found that told what it was used for. It was cool to be sitting in what was then downtown Yerushalayim.

We also saw the remnants of archways that were once gateways for people to enter the Beit Hamikdash. We walked up steps that actual men, women and children would enter through the south side as they visited the Beit Hamikdash. The Chulda Gate is part of the southern wall. Chulda was a prophetess who gave prophecy that is recorded in the second book of Kings.