Exhibit 37a- Western Wall. There are three types
of building stones found in the Kossel. The bottom seven layers are
great Herodian blocks. These are from the original wall of Har HaBayis,
built by Hurdos (King Herod). The blocks are about 3 1/2 feet high
and 3 1/2 feet thick. The lengths of the Herodian blocks vary. Each foot
of length represents 2 tons in weight. The wall is three blocks thick.
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Exhibit 37b- Western Wall at Night. The middle section of wall
consists of medium sized cubed stones. The Moslems placed them there about
1,000 years ago. The upper portion of the wall consists of small building
stones and this were put in place by the Ottoman Turks in the 16th
Century. The Romans and Byzantines tore down the upper portion of the wall
but the damage was restored by the Moslems and Turks. The height of the
wall we see today is its original height.
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Exhibit 37c- Celebration at the Kossel. The Plaza in
front of the Kossel is actually built half way up the height of the
wall. The Kossel continues below ground for another 65 feet.
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Exhibit 37d- The Southeastern Corner of Har HaBayis.
At the Kossel we could only see seven layers of Herodian stones. At
the Southeastern corner of Har HaBayis we can see about 17
layers of Herodian stones. The window in the upper left side is the only
surviving original window of Har HaBayis. The window allowed
some light and fresh air into the "basement" of Har HaBayis.
This "basement" is popularly known as King Solomon's Stables.
See Room 46.
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Exhibit 37e- City Walls. The present day Old City wall, built
by the Ottoman Turks in the mid 1500's, starts from the center of the
Southern Wall of Har HaBayis. However, in ancient times, the
city wall began from the southeastern corner of Har HaBayis.
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