Temple Mount Sifting Project

In the course of sifting earth removed from the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, dozens of clay sealings from the First Temple period were recovered. Among them was a sealing bearing the name of the priestly family of Immer. In-depth study of the writing on the sealing, as well as the fabric imprint on its reverse, indicated with a high probability that this sealing was used in the Temple treasury. The article reviews the function and use of sealings in the administration of ancient Near Eastern treasuries and the significance of sealings with a textile imprint on their reverse. The study revealed similar patterns in the finds near the "Royal Building" exposed in the Ophel excavations, and we therefore suggest identifying it with Judah's royal treasury.

The paper presents the Byzantine pilgrimage accounts which
reveal the Byzantines identified the Jerusalem temple mount as "the Praetorium," with two Christian churches having been built there--the Church of St. Sophia and the Church of Our Blessed Lady, the former having been built over a large, square
rock and the latter at the site of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, where
a Byzantine mosaic was found by R.W. Hamilton.  On the
other hand, the sources identify the temple ruins with features consistent with the southeastern hill, such as Mount Zion, the waters of Shiloah, Eudocia's east city wall, a crypt or cave, and
the two pools of Shiloam.

Israeli archaeologists, Zachi Dvira and veteran, Gabriel Barkay, maintain the Temple Mount Sifting Project on Mount Scopus in Jerusalem. This high-level overview provides a generous explanation of their work, its importance, and highlights some of their finds.

Initially published on 28th December 2005 in Buzzle
Republished in many portals, blogs and fora, like:
https://soc.culture.israel.narkive.com/nGY7mtqf/muslims-welcome-third-jewish-temple-in-jerusalem-megalommatis

Excerpt:
The First Temple was built in a vast area between the two Islamic holy shrines on the Temple Mount, namely the Dome of the Rock and the El Aqsa Mosque. The best specialists in this regard agree on this. Since the Second Temple was built on the ruins of the First, the Third Temple is expected to stand on the very same place. Christian and Jewish groups publish apocalyptic literature according to which it is even biblically advised to have it built without razing the Court of the Gentiles, which is considered to be a reference to the two Islamic shrines. Islam would not be diminished or desecrated in anything, if Jews were allowed to have their Temple built without damaging the Dome of the Rock and the El Aqsa Mosque.

Instead of publishing Hatred literature inspired by sheer satanic guidance, Muslim religious authorities are urged by millions of modern, tolerant and progressive Muslims to accept the erection of the Third Jewish Temple on the Temple Mount.

This would be the first act of reconciliation of the two fraternal religions, opening therefore the way for a Palestinian state in Gaza and Jericho. If the political rights of the Palestinians must be respected by the Israelis, the religious rights of the Jews are to be respected by the Muslims.

Instead of leaving the search for peace to the hands of equally corrupt, ignorant, and disreputable politicians, a few enlightened sheikhs and rabbis should meet, exchange ideas, negotiate, and ultimately walk together in the only existing Path to Peace: the Religious Rapprochement.