Jerusalem, Israel – A rich layer of finds from the latter part of the First Temple period (8th-6th centuries BCE) was recently discovered in the northwestern part of the Western Wall plaza, 100 meters west of the Temple Mount.
Also found was a seal that bears an inscription in ancient Hebrew which reads: [belonging] to Netanyahu ben Yaush.
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The remains are from a magnificent colonnaded street from the Late Roman period (2nd century CE) paved with large heavy limestone pavers that were set directly on top of the layer that dates to the end of the First Temple period. Thus the Roman road "seals" beneath it the finds from the First Temple period and has protected them from being plundered in later periods.
This is actually the first time in the history that building remains from the First Temple period were exposed so close to the Temple Mount.
Unfortunately this may trigger an increase in Arab violence to try to stop the excavations, as historically this has occurred when things pop up that prove the ancient Jewish claim to J-m.