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Second Temple

Eitan Klein, Deputy Director of the Israel Antiquities Authority Theft Prevention Unit, with dozens of stone vessel fragments found in a roughly 2000-year-old production site on the eastern slope of Mt. Scopus in Jerusalem, in a discovery announced on February 16, 2026. (Yoli Schwartz/Israel Antiquities Authority)
February 16, 2026, 2:20 pm
Tailing looters, archaeologists find 2,000-year-old stone vessel factory in Jerusalem
Cups, bowls and other ritually pure items are thought to have been fashioned out of soft limestone at Mount Scopus site along pilgrimage road in waning days of Second Temple
By Rossella Tercatin
A 2000-year-old ritual bath is unearthed beneath the Western Wall Plaza in a discovery announced on December 29, 2025. (Emil Aladjem/Israel Antiquities Authority)
December 29, 2025, 5:53 pm
Fire-blackened 2,000-year-old mikveh is a portal into 70 CE Roman conquest of Jerusalem
The newly unsealed Jewish ritual bath, uncovered beneath the Western Wall Plaza, marks the first stratigraphic identification of the burnt layer from the fall of the Second Temple
By Rossella Tercatin
Rare gladd vessels discovered in a ancient Jerusalem drainage channel, in an image released August 13, 2024. (Eliyahu Yanai/City of David)
August 13, 2024, 12:11 pm
Detritus from ancient Jerusalem drainage channel captures moment of city’s destruction
Excavation reveals rare glass and ceramic vessels, oil lamps, tableware and food remains, offering insight into state of city in period before its sacking by Rome in 70 CE
By Gavriel Fiske
Adam Hajaj speaks during a rally for hostages in Gaza in Tel Aviv on August 10, 2024. (Hostages and Missing Families Forum)
August 12, 2024, 3:54 pm
October 7 trauma reconnects Israelis with a 2,000-year-old Jewish day of mourning
Thousands of synagogues prepare to feature lamentations about the Hamas atrocities, on Tisha B’Av, a fast day that commemorates historical – and now contemporary – tragedies
By Canaan Lidor
An ancient quarry discovered in Jerusalem's Har Hotzvim neighborhood, in a picture released August 1, 2024. (Emil Aladjem/IAA)
August 1, 2024, 12:47 pm
Massive Second Temple-era stone quarry uncovered in Jerusalem industrial area
Stones, some weighing up to 2.5 tons, were likely used during King Herod’s many construction projects in the first century BCE
By Gavriel Fiske
Tefillin from around 2,000 years ago in the laboratories of the Israel Antiquities Authority. (Emil Aladjem/IAA)
June 14, 2024, 10:24 am
Study: Ancient phylacteries’ natural leather color illustrates evolution of Jewish law
Analysis of 2,000-year-old tefillin found in Judean Desert caves shows no dye was used in their construction; deep black is mandated by contemporary Jewish Law
By Gavriel Fiske
Clay token found in the sifting of dirt from the Temple Mount, bearing a Greek inscription and impression of a wine jug. (Zachi Dvira/Temple Mount Shifting Project)
April 21, 2024, 10:15 pm
Intriguing Greek-inscribed token was likely traded for feast offerings at Second Temple
Experts think several small clay artifacts uncovered by the Temple Mount Sifting Project were used by visitors to Jerusalem during the three pilgrimage festivals
By Gavriel Fiske
The limestone box discovered during the Israel Antiquities Authority excavations in the City of David. (Zohar Shemesh/Israel Museum)
February 21, 2024, 1:02 pm
Rare Second Temple-era merchants box displayed at Israel Museum
2,000-year old artifact likely used to display wares in ancient Jerusalem’s pilgrims’ market; burned sides might be from Jewish Revolt fires
By Gavriel Fiske
Section of the Pesher Habakkuk scroll, as displayed in the Israel Museum, Jerusalem. (Wikipedia Commons)
September 24, 2023, 11:41 am
First recorded evidence of Yom Kippur depicts day of affliction as sectarian struggle
Prof. Yonatan Adler, author of ‘The Origins of Judaism,’ cites dramatic passage from the Dead Sea Scrolls that shows Hasmonean-era jostling for religious authority
By Gavriel Fiske
The Siege and Destruction of Jerusalem, by David Roberts, 1850. (Wikipedia/ Creative Commons)
July 27, 2023, 1:40 am
Judicial overhaul opponents see parallel to Tisha B’Av, saddest day in Hebrew year
Image reading ‘Shisha B’Av’ circulates online to mark Hebrew date Knesset passed overhaul bill, drawing link to destruction of Temples
By PHILISSA CRAMER
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Dozens of ancient bricks manufactured by the 10th Roman Legion discovered by police in the trunk of a car in Beit Hanina, Jerusalem, May 2023. (Israel Antiquities Authority)
June 1, 2023, 11:09 am
Antiquities thief nabbed with ancient floor tiles used by destroyers of 2nd Temple
Bricks found in the trunk of a car in East Jerusalem apparently came from a bathhouse used by notorious Tenth Roman Legion some 2,000 years ago, possibly in Hebron area
By ToI Staff
People gather to hear a reading of the Book of Lamentations at the egalitarian section of the Western Wall on August 6, 2022. (Judah Ari Gross/Times of Israel)
March 27, 2023, 2:19 pm
Authors, poets to read Book of Lamentations in protest of overhaul
‘We are currently on the brink of destruction of the Third House,’ says writer Ilan Sheinfeld
By Jessica Steinberg
From 'Legend of Destruction,' Gidi Dar's 2021 film about the Jewish revolt against the Romans in 70 CE. (Courtesy: David Polonsky and Michael Faust)
February 9, 2023, 11:43 am
Award-winning animated feature about Second Temple destruction now in English
Gidi Dar says ‘Legend of Destruction’ film is ‘warning sign to Israelis’ at a time of renewed national discord
By Jessica Steinberg
A rare quarter shekel silver coin, minted in 69 CE, that was handed over to Israeli authorities in New York, September 12, 2022. (Israel Antiquities Authority)
September 13, 2022, 12:38 pm
Rare, stolen 2,000-year-old silver coin returned to Israeli authorities in US
Quarter-shekel minted in 69CE was smuggled out of country to black market; international probe results in it finally being restored to Israel Antiquities Authority
By Stuart Winer
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