Professor Uzi Leibner, a past fellow of the IIAS and a key member of the "Variety and Variability: Mapping the Cultural and Social Diversity of the Southern Levant in the Hellenistic Period" research group, is leading a new archaeological excavation at the Ophel, offering a fascinating glimpse into Jerusalem's rich history.

Ophel refers to a long, narrow hill located just beyond the southern edge of the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. This area, lower than the Temple Mount itself, has been the focus of extensive archaeological excavations, revealing layers of history from various periods, including the First Temple period, the Second Temple period, and the Byzantine era. It is a significant location as it served as an administrative and residential hub during these times.

In a recent interview, Professor Leibner and Dr. Orit Peleg-Barkat from the Hebrew University provided insights into the upcoming season's objectives, focusing on specific areas of the excavation site, specifically Byzantine remains and earlier Second Temple period structures.

This year's work, despite the challenges posed by the ongoing war, will delve deeper into these periods, particularly exploring a newly discovered vault and an intricate mikveh—a ritual bath used in Judaism for the purpose of achieving ritual purity. 

During the Second Temple period (516 BCE to 70 CE), the Temple served as the center of Jewish worship, attracting pilgrims from across the Jewish world. Pilgrimage during this period involved Jews traveling to Jerusalem, often from distant lands, to participate in religious festivals and rituals at the Temple. The Ophel area was a key location where pilgrims would gather before ascending to the Temple.

The ongoing research aims to offer fresh perspectives on this historically significant site, particularly in understanding how the area was designed to accommodate large numbers of pilgrims.

Watch the full interview here: https://youtu.be/U0dYP_tCg3w