Digging Up the Bible: Temple Tiles

DIGGING UP THE BIBLE
Important Archeological Finds that help Us Understand Scripture
pdf
Dr. Paul Manuel—2017
 

Temple Tile Flooring
(c. 70 AD)

The individual tile fragments that make up these larger samples are from the Temple Mount Salvage Operation, sponsored by Bar Ilan University, which looks through dump truck loads of what Muslim workers removed (without proper authorization or supervision) to make way for construction of the underground el-Marwani Mosque (1996-1999). The project counters Muslim attempts to erase evidence of early Jewish presence in the land.

 

Under the supervision of Israeli archaeologists Gabriel Barkay and Zachi Dvira, volunteers have carefully sifted through mounds of debris and discovered countless 1^st century artifacts, from clay bullae (correspondence seals) to Hasmonean and Herodian dynasty coins. Numerous tile fragments have provided a glimpse of the temple flooring, initially a gift from Caesar Augustus to King Herod, who ruled Judea from 37 to 4 B.C. The tiles above are just four of the seven geometric patterns archaeologists have managed to piece together thus far.

 

The paving for the Temple Mount courtyard and outlying buildings employed a technique known as Opus Sectile (Latin for 'cut work'), whereby materials were trimmed and inlaid to make a picture or pattern. The pieces are similar to those in other Herod building projects, his palaces at Masada, Herodium, and Jericho.
 

Jesus, the disciples, and Paul were in the temple on numerous occasions and may have walked on these very tiles. Jesus' prediction of the destruction presages what the Romans will do in A.D. 70, several years after the savior makes his final appearance there. Despite the current state of disrepair, Ezekiel says a third temple will take its place in the Messianic Age:

I saw a wall completely surrounding the temple area. (40:5)

I looked and saw the glory of the LORD filling the temple of the LORD, and I fell facedown. (44:4)

Cf. Zech 14:20 The cooking pots in the LORD's house will be like the sacred bowls in front of the altar.

Significance for Biblical Studies: When Jesus and the disciples were admiring the construction of the temple, they were probably not looking at the tiles on the floor, but rubble of what was once the pavement attests the accuracy of his prediction: "I tell you the truth, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down" (Matt 24:2).

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