A BAR Editorial: Ancient Remains on the Temple Mount Must Not Be Destroyed

060

Any archaeological discussion of the Temple or its location on the Temple Mount invariably includes a statement to the effect that it would, of course, be unthinkable to conduct any archaeological excavations on the Temple Mount itself. We do not wish to think about the unthinkable, but, on the other hand, there are a number of “on-the-other-hands,” as Asher Kaufman’s article on “Where the Ancient Temple of Jerusalem Stood” reminds us.

In that article we learn that Moslem authorities have conducted an excavation on the Temple Mount for non-archaeological purposes without, however, any archaeological oversight and without any regard for ancient remains that might be encountered in the course of excavation. This non-archaeological excavation was accomplished, we learn, by means of a bulldozer. A bulldozer is anathema to any professional archaeologist except in the narrowest and most limited circumstances, as in removing sand dunes or a previous archaeologist’s dump. Certainly the use of a bulldozer on the Temple Mount contravenes even the most rudimentary archaeological standards.

We are also told that the Moslem authorities removed the ancient remains they excavated before they could be fully examined, drawn and recorded, and apparently before they were photographed. These ancient remains—a wall over 16 feet long and 6 feet wide that, according to Dr. Kaufman, formed part of the foundation of the eastern wall of the Temple compound—have thus been 061destroyed forever without any adequate record having been made for scholars’ use now or in the future.

Fortunately, the Deputy Director of the Israel Department of Antiquities, Ze’ev Yeivin, saw the wall in situ and wrote a report about it. Inexplicably, however, this report lay unpublished and unknown for eight years until Dr. Kaufman learned about it.

Lest it be thought that all of this is an isolated incident, Dr. Kaufman advises us that other ancient monuments relating to the Temple have been covered with planting or have been otherwise modified, and some have even been demolished, and certain places at the Temple Mount are not accessible even to competent and qualified researchers.

It seems obvious that no excavations for any purpose should be permitted on the Temple Mount except by qualified professional archaeologists. After the archaeologists finish their work, the excavated area can be used for non-archaeological purposes if no ancient remains are found. It hardly needs to be added that bulldozers should not be used on the Temple Mount.

Second, no ancient remains should be removed except after competent archaeological approval, and even then only after the remains have been properly photographed, drawn and recorded.

Third, the results of these excavations should be properly and promptly published.

Fourth, no changes should be permitted to above-ground ancient remains without competent archaeological approval.

Fifth, qualified scholars should he given access to all areas of the Temple Mount at reasonable times and on reasonable notice so that they can record and report the existence of exposed ancient remains.

We hope that the Israeli and Moslem authorities will cooperate to assure that these minimal standards are followed.

The truth of the matter is that limited, but extremely useful, archaeological excavations could be undertaken on the Temple Mount without disturbing existing structures or their use. But we agree that in the current sensitive political environment, this is unthinkable. Perhaps the time may yet come when Moslem authorities will permit such limited excavations.

But, “on the other hand,” with this goes the obligation to insure that no ancient remains, exposed or unexposed, are destroyed and that scholars have access to what can be examined without excavation.

Israel has not only the right but the obligation to assure that this is the case. The archaeological remains on the Temple Mount belong neither to Israel nor to the Moslem authorities (both are only the custodians); the ancient remains belong to all mankind, and not just to this generation, but to generations past and yet unborn.

Any archaeological discussion of the Temple or its location on the Temple Mount invariably includes a statement to the effect that it would, of course, be unthinkable to conduct any archaeological excavations on the Temple Mount itself. We do not wish to think about the unthinkable, but, on the other hand, there are a number of “on-the-other-hands,” as Asher Kaufman’s article on “Where the Ancient Temple of Jerusalem Stood” reminds us. In that article we learn that Moslem authorities have conducted an excavation on the Temple Mount for non-archaeological purposes without, however, any archaeological oversight and without any regard […]