Moslem Cleric Wants Archaeological Project to End

With new discoveries coming from the excavations at the temple mount some interesting claims are put forward.

Many archeologists are calling the latest Israeli archeological discovery "the find of the century" (Canadian Jewish News, October 20). Eilat Mazar, an Israeli archeologist, is claiming to have unearthed, in East Jerusalem, the palace of biblical King David.

Within weeks of beginning the dig, Ms. Mazar's team was uncovering the remains of many rooms. At first, most were more recent Roman structures, like baths and pools, but then, within the boundaries of the limited excavation area, she found the remains of "massive older walls underneath the Roman structure, running toward the rim of the Kidtron Valley" (Washington Post, op. cit.). The size of the walls, which constructed with boulders are on average two yards thick and extend at least 30 yards (Times, op. cit.), give credence to the importance and grandeur of the structure.

Not everyone in Jerusalem is happy with the work.

The top Muslim cleric in the Holy Land on Tuesday called on Israel to halt work on an archaeological project near a disputed holy site, saying continuing the dig would inflame tensions in the region.

Israeli authorities recently unveiled an underground site that strengthens Jewish ties to the hilltop compound, known to Jews as the Temple Mount and to Muslims as Haram as-Sharif, the Noble Sanctuary.

Although the safety of the Dome of the Rock, a Moslem Shrine is voiced as a concern, There is an underlying issue that is driving the call to stop the archaeological investigation. The Palestinians claim Jerusalem as their capitol. Their contention is the Jews never had a large city on the site, some even claim David and Solomon were just tribal chiefs. If the archaeology bears out the reality of the kingdom of David than the charge of Israel's illegitimacy will ring hollow.

Picnic at Basil's