Archaeologists uncovered a pyramid-shaped staircase in Jerusalem that may be an ancient podium.
The mysterious structure was discovered next to the 2,000 year old Second Temple stepped street, which is believed to have been used by pilgrims on their way from the Shiloah (Siloam) Pool to the Temple, the Israel Antiquities Society reported.
"The structure is built along the street in a place that is clearly visible from afar by passers-by making their way to the Temple. We believe the structure was a kind of monumental podium that attracted the public's attention when walking on the city's main street. It would be very interesting to know what was said there 2,000 years ago," stated archaeologists Nahshon Szanton and Joe Uziel, who direct of the excavation on behalf of the Israel Antiquities Authority.
Rabbinic sources have suggested stones were once used for public purposes during the Second Temple period. In one example an "auction block" is used in the street (Sifra, BeHar 6); in the Mishnah and Talmud the "Stone of Claims" is used in the Second Temple period and was essentially used as a "lost and found."
"Were messages announced here on behalf of the government? Perhaps news or gossip, or admonitions and street preaching - unfortunately we do not know. Bliss and Dickie, two British archaeologists who discovered a small portion of this structure about 100 years ago, mistakenly thought these were steps that led into a house that was destroyed. They would certainly be excited if they could come back today and see it completely revealed," the researchers said.
The findings will be presented Thursday at the City of David Studies of Ancient Jerusalem's 16th Annual Conference.
