0:00:00 > 0:00:00- Subtitles
0:00:00 > 0:00:02- Subtitles- - Subtitles
0:00:03 > 0:00:04- The Temple Mount...
0:00:05 > 0:00:08- ..is one of the holiest places - on the face of the earth.
0:00:14 > 0:00:17- For the Jew, it is the site - of the Temple of Solomon.
0:00:21 > 0:00:25- For the Christian, the location of - Herod's Temple, where Jesus walked.
0:00:31 > 0:00:33- And for every Muslim...
0:00:33 > 0:00:37- ..it is the site from where - Muhammad ascended to heaven.
0:00:47 > 0:00:50- Three faiths, each laying claim...
0:00:50 > 0:00:52- ..to the Holy Land.
0:00:53 > 0:00:56- Throughout - Jerusalem's long history...
0:00:56 > 0:01:00- ..the faithful - have always fought for possession.
0:01:03 > 0:01:08- Today, archaeologists - are embroiled in the conflict.
0:01:08 > 0:01:13- Their work holds the key to - understanding Jerusalem's history.
0:01:13 > 0:01:16- A history - that could change our future.
0:01:16 > 0:01:22- I've come here to try and discover - the truth about the Temple Mount...
0:01:23 > 0:01:27- ..and the battle - for the Holy Land of Jerusalem.
0:01:36 > 0:01:40- The Temple Mount is at the heart - of the political feud...
0:01:41 > 0:01:44- ..between the Jews - and the Palestinians.
0:01:44 > 0:01:48- But what role does - archaeology play in the dispute?
0:01:52 > 0:01:55- What do we actually know - about the history of this site?
0:01:59 > 0:02:01- Throughout the centuries...
0:02:01 > 0:02:05- ..people have searched for - the treasures of Herod's Temple.
0:02:05 > 0:02:07- Their efforts have been in vain.
0:02:12 > 0:02:14- Despite the excavations...
0:02:14 > 0:02:17- ..few remains have been uncovered.
0:02:17 > 0:02:20- Today the site - is under Muslim control.
0:02:21 > 0:02:25- The Muslims want to keep the Jews - away from the hallowed ground...
0:02:25 > 0:02:27- ..the other side - of the Western Wall.
0:02:28 > 0:02:32- They have prohibited - excavation of the Temple Mount.
0:02:32 > 0:02:37- It's frustrating for Jews who want - to learn more about their legacy.
0:02:38 > 0:02:42- But there might be - another way of achieving that goal.
0:02:45 > 0:02:48- Beneath the city - is a network of caverns.
0:02:51 > 0:02:56- Author James Wasserman believes the - name for them, Solomon's Quarry...
0:02:57 > 0:02:59- ..is significant.
0:03:06 > 0:03:09- According to him, - Jerusalem's citizens...
0:03:09 > 0:03:12- ..are walking along streets...
0:03:12 > 0:03:17- ..directly above where stones were - quarried for the original temple.
0:03:25 > 0:03:26- This limestone...
0:03:27 > 0:03:30- ..is called melech.
0:03:30 > 0:03:32- Melech stone.
0:03:35 > 0:03:37- Which is royal stone.
0:03:41 > 0:03:44- This is the bedrock - of the Jewish faith.
0:03:48 > 0:03:52- And this is presumably the stone...
0:03:52 > 0:03:55- ..from which - Solomon's Temple was quarried.
0:03:57 > 0:04:02- With this stone in mind, the - challenge of building the temple...
0:04:02 > 0:04:04- ..becomes clearer.
0:04:04 > 0:04:08- Thousands of blocks - would've been required.
0:04:11 > 0:04:13- Every stone would've been carved...
0:04:14 > 0:04:16- ..to fit in - with the temple's design.
0:04:21 > 0:04:26- It would've been a very ambitious - project in the ancient world.
0:04:28 > 0:04:31- Stonemasons - would've spent many years...
0:04:32 > 0:04:34- ..carving these enormous stones.
0:04:37 > 0:04:39- The general stones...
0:04:39 > 0:04:43- ..were two and half tons each, - quite massive.
0:04:46 > 0:04:49- Thousands and thousands - of stones were also required...
0:04:50 > 0:04:52- ..to build - the city's defensive walls.
0:04:53 > 0:04:56- Stone - wasn't the only material needed...
0:04:57 > 0:05:00- ..to realize Solomon's dream.
0:05:02 > 0:05:05- To create a beautiful temple...
0:05:05 > 0:05:08- ..precious materials were sourced.
0:05:13 > 0:05:18- Until recently, no-one was able - to say where the copper came from...
0:05:18 > 0:05:20- ..for Solomon's Temple.
0:05:23 > 0:05:26- But now, - thanks to the work of one expert...
0:05:26 > 0:05:30- ..a possible solution to the puzzle - has been offered.
0:05:31 > 0:05:35- He has inspected - more than 200 mines...
0:05:35 > 0:05:39- ..in the ancient kingdom - of Edom in Jordan.
0:05:46 > 0:05:50- This new research - shows that the kings of Edom...
0:05:50 > 0:05:54- ..had mined for copper - during the time of King Solomon.
0:05:57 > 0:06:00- Before we started - our project here...
0:06:00 > 0:06:06- ..everybody was thinking - that the Edomites...
0:06:06 > 0:06:11- ..are not visible, archaeologically - speaking, before the 7th century.
0:06:15 > 0:06:17- But now we are better informed.
0:06:17 > 0:06:19- Copper from Jordan was accessible...
0:06:20 > 0:06:22- ..to King Solomon.
0:06:28 > 0:06:31- Dr Najjar's research proves...
0:06:32 > 0:06:35- ..that copper - was mined on an industrial scale.
0:06:43 > 0:06:47- They had to mine deep underground - to retrieve the mineral...
0:06:48 > 0:06:50- ..situated 70 metres - beneath the surface.
0:06:55 > 0:06:58- Working conditions - would've been torturous.
0:07:00 > 0:07:04- Slaves or criminals - would have toiled here.
0:07:12 > 0:07:15- Evidence suggests - that once they arrived here...
0:07:15 > 0:07:18- ..they never saw daylight again.
0:07:35 > 0:07:39- There were smelting works nearby - to turn the mineral into metal.
0:07:53 > 0:07:55- Almost 3,000 years later...
0:07:55 > 0:07:59- ..the slag, which is the waste - from the smelting process...
0:07:59 > 0:08:01- ..can still be seen today.
0:08:12 > 0:08:17- Dr Najjar has established that - labourers working here in Jordan...
0:08:17 > 0:08:22- ..produced a mountain of copper - weighing upwards of 200,000 tons.
0:08:28 > 0:08:33- He believes that it is - through their hard labour...
0:08:33 > 0:08:36- ..that there was copper - in Solomon's Temple.
0:08:51 > 0:08:54- We know - the description of the temple...
0:08:54 > 0:08:59- ..and we know it had been decorated - with copper plates and pillars.
0:09:03 > 0:09:09- The metal would've been transported - 150km across the desert...
0:09:10 > 0:09:11- ..to Jerusalem.
0:09:15 > 0:09:17- So it would make perfect sense...
0:09:18 > 0:09:23- ..that the copper used - in the decoration of the temple...
0:09:23 > 0:09:25- ..was produced here.
0:09:30 > 0:09:33- But as we learn more - about Solomon's era...
0:09:33 > 0:09:38- ..archaeologists raise new questions - about Jerusalem's recent history.
0:09:39 > 0:09:41- According to the Bible...
0:09:41 > 0:09:43- ..Jews built two temples here.
0:09:44 > 0:09:49- The Temple of Solomon and the Temple - of Herod, known to Jesus Christ.
0:09:52 > 0:09:57- What is known about the archaeology - of the building where Jesus taught?
0:09:57 > 0:10:01- Some believe - that the ruins of that temple...
0:10:01 > 0:10:04- ..can be found - the other side of the wall.
0:10:05 > 0:10:10- One such man - has taken our cameras underground...
0:10:10 > 0:10:14- ..to show us a very special place.
0:10:18 > 0:10:22- Is he's correct, at - the furthest end of these caverns...
0:10:23 > 0:10:26- ..the mysteries of Herod are buried.
0:10:31 > 0:10:35- This is the western retaining wall - of the Temple Mount.
0:10:35 > 0:10:37- Its continuation further south...
0:10:38 > 0:10:41- ..is the Wailing Wall - where the Jews are praying at.
0:10:41 > 0:10:44- You've got enormous - four blocks of stones.
0:10:44 > 0:10:47- This is the biggest stone - ever found in this country...
0:10:47 > 0:10:49- ..and one of the world's largest.
0:10:50 > 0:10:52- You see, the stone starts here.
0:10:52 > 0:10:54- And it ends...
0:10:54 > 0:10:57- Look, you can see yourself - how far it is.
0:11:00 > 0:11:02- You see, it goes all the way...
0:11:04 > 0:11:06- ..to here.
0:11:06 > 0:11:10- You see? - All this is one enormous stone.
0:11:10 > 0:11:14- But what's astounding...
0:11:14 > 0:11:18- ..is what lies the other side - of the stone, according to Bahat.
0:11:19 > 0:11:22- I believe that here - inside the Temple Mount...
0:11:22 > 0:11:24- ..there is an enormous vault.
0:11:24 > 0:11:29- And this one is the counterforce - which holds the vault in place.
0:11:29 > 0:11:33- He says that behind the wall...
0:11:33 > 0:11:35- ..is an enormous space...
0:11:35 > 0:11:37- ..where, for 2,000 years...
0:11:37 > 0:11:40- ..the temple's treasures - have remained hidden.
0:11:43 > 0:11:47- But this sanctuary - is sacred to Muslims...
0:11:47 > 0:11:49- ..as well as Jews.
0:11:49 > 0:11:51- Further investigation...
0:11:51 > 0:11:56- ..would be tantamount to starting - a religious war across the world.
0:11:57 > 0:12:01- Anything could be found there - if we could reach it.
0:12:01 > 0:12:03- I'll tell you what.
0:12:03 > 0:12:07- It doesn't look that serious - but if I dig inside here...
0:12:07 > 0:12:10- ..I'll dig for World War Three.
0:12:12 > 0:12:12- .
0:12:14 > 0:12:14- Subtitles
0:12:14 > 0:12:16- Subtitles- - Subtitles
0:12:19 > 0:12:21- The Noble Sanctuary - or the Temple Mount.
0:12:22 > 0:12:24- Two names and one platform...
0:12:24 > 0:12:26- ..for three world faiths.
0:12:31 > 0:12:34- David, Solomon, Jesus and Muhammad.
0:12:34 > 0:12:37- According to history, - they have all walked here.
0:12:38 > 0:12:42- But many archaeological questions - about the site...
0:12:42 > 0:12:44- ..are still left unanswered.
0:12:46 > 0:12:50- Muslim authorities prohibit - any excavation on the Temple Mount.
0:12:52 > 0:12:56- However, underground excavations - are taking place...
0:12:56 > 0:13:00- ..with contentious conclusions, - to say the least.
0:13:01 > 0:13:06- It's legal for Jews to dig just - outside the Temple Mount's walls.
0:13:11 > 0:13:16- Archaeologists have recently - capitalized on this opportunity.
0:13:20 > 0:13:25- They are inspecting a portion of the - wall at the corner of the site...
0:13:25 > 0:13:27- ..six metres underground.
0:13:31 > 0:13:33- No-one has dug here for 2,000 years.
0:13:36 > 0:13:39- What they have discovered...
0:13:39 > 0:13:42- ..confirms - an archaeological proverb.
0:13:42 > 0:13:48- A find doesn't have to - look remarkable to be significant.
0:13:51 > 0:13:55- Nobody paid much attention - to this small piece of clay.
0:13:57 > 0:14:00- Until someone - recognized its inscription.
0:14:04 > 0:14:07- It's a seal impression. - It's a sort of token.
0:14:07 > 0:14:10- It has six letters saying...
0:14:10 > 0:14:14- ..when I translate it into Hebrew, - at least, pure to God.
0:14:14 > 0:14:19- The belief is that they have - recovered a religious token...
0:14:19 > 0:14:22- ..that could've been spent - in the temple.
0:14:27 > 0:14:30- As Jewish pilgrims - arrived in Jerusalem...
0:14:31 > 0:14:35- ..they would've exchanged the token - for an animal to sacrifice.
0:14:40 > 0:14:43- This is - the first piece of evidence...
0:14:43 > 0:14:47- ..of a Jewish spiritual act - on the Temple Mount...
0:14:47 > 0:14:51- ..relating to a time - long before Islam arrived here.
0:14:58 > 0:15:03- Does this confirm to the Jews that - the Temple of Solomon stood here?
0:15:09 > 0:15:12- After 25 years in Jerusalem...
0:15:12 > 0:15:15- ..making excavation - all over the city...
0:15:16 > 0:15:19- ..this is the most important object - that I've found...
0:15:19 > 0:15:24- ..that gives us some information - about what happened in the temple.
0:15:26 > 0:15:29- And it came from the temple itself.
0:15:36 > 0:15:39- The ruins - of the old city of Jerusalem...
0:15:40 > 0:15:41- ..can be seen in daylight too.
0:15:42 > 0:15:45- For Jews, - this is enough to prove their case.
0:15:45 > 0:15:47- This is - the bedrock of their faith...
0:15:47 > 0:15:51- ..despite the Muslim sanctuaries - that are here today.
0:15:51 > 0:15:55- But the Muslims - take a very different perspective.
0:16:02 > 0:16:07- This is not the Temple Mount - but the Noble Sanctuary.
0:16:08 > 0:16:13- In the Islamic faith, it was here - that Muhammad ascended to heaven...
0:16:13 > 0:16:16- ..accompanied by the Angel Gabriel.
0:16:22 > 0:16:26- Al-Aqsa Mosque - is the third holiest place in Islam.
0:16:30 > 0:16:32- Since the seventh century...
0:16:33 > 0:16:35- ..Muslims have come here to worship.
0:16:36 > 0:16:38- Parts of this building - have stood here...
0:16:38 > 0:16:41- ..for close to 1,000 years.
0:16:50 > 0:16:54- But in 1967, - during the Six-Day War...
0:16:55 > 0:16:58- ..Israel occupied - the east of Jerusalem.
0:17:01 > 0:17:04- However, the Noble Sanctuary...
0:17:04 > 0:17:08- ..remained in the hands - of the Palestinians.
0:17:10 > 0:17:14- And the position of the mosque - continues under Muslim rule.
0:17:16 > 0:17:20- But until recently, - Islamic leaders...
0:17:20 > 0:17:25- ..urged the faithful to stay away - as a protest against Israeli action.
0:17:29 > 0:17:33- I'm glad to say that this advice - has since been withdrawn.
0:17:50 > 0:17:54- We're welcome to return to - experience the special ambience...
0:17:54 > 0:17:57- ..spanning centuries of devotion.
0:17:57 > 0:18:02- For pilgrims from afar, there is - no disputing the peace here...
0:18:02 > 0:18:05- ..and the presence of the eternal.
0:18:05 > 0:18:08- It is the Muslim's pure sanctuary.
0:18:08 > 0:18:11- But where do the Jews worship?
0:18:11 > 0:18:16- The Western Wall is the closest they - are allowed to come to the site.
0:18:22 > 0:18:24- They flock here to pray...
0:18:24 > 0:18:28- ..coming as close as they can - to their ancient temple.
0:18:28 > 0:18:31- But are they in the correct place?
0:18:31 > 0:18:35- Eli Shukron and I - dig outside the Temple Mount area.
0:18:35 > 0:18:37- Just next to, parallel to...
0:18:37 > 0:18:40- ..the Western Wall - of the Temple Mount area.
0:18:42 > 0:18:44- The work has raised doubts.
0:18:44 > 0:18:48- Is there a real basis - to the wall's tradition?
0:18:49 > 0:18:51- As well as the sacred token...
0:18:52 > 0:18:55- ..Reich and Shukron - have just announced...
0:18:55 > 0:18:59- ..that a collection of coins - has emerged.
0:19:01 > 0:19:05- From searching an archaic - baptismal site for Jewish rituals...
0:19:05 > 0:19:09- ..they found - a total of 17 ancient coins.
0:19:12 > 0:19:16- You can see the steps - that built on the bedrock.
0:19:16 > 0:19:19- Those steps - are part of the ritual...
0:19:19 > 0:19:22- ..but the Western Wall build on it.
0:19:22 > 0:19:26- The coins that we found, - we found them here in this area.
0:19:27 > 0:19:31- Nobody had touched the coins...
0:19:31 > 0:19:37- ..in 2,000 years, since the - construction of the Western Wall.
0:19:37 > 0:19:39- According to tradition...
0:19:39 > 0:19:44- ..Herod had built the wall - as the foundation for his temple.
0:19:47 > 0:19:50- When Eli Shukron - realised what he'd found...
0:19:50 > 0:19:55- ..he headed straight to an esteemed - expert on Israeli ancient coins.
0:19:59 > 0:20:02- Immediately, - it was obvious to him...
0:20:02 > 0:20:05- ..that there was - a visible date on the coins.
0:20:05 > 0:20:09- That date - is 20 years after Herod's death.
0:20:12 > 0:20:15- The coins - turned out to be very revealing.
0:20:15 > 0:20:18- Instead of the coins dating...
0:20:18 > 0:20:22- ..as late as Herod, - they went beyond the dates of Herod.
0:20:22 > 0:20:26- The coins date - as late as the early 20s CE.
0:20:27 > 0:20:30- And then we can date that stone...
0:20:31 > 0:20:33- ..to 20 years after King Herod.
0:20:35 > 0:20:40- The coins came from a site - beneath the wall erected by Herod.
0:20:40 > 0:20:45- But they hadn't been minted - until after the king's death.
0:20:46 > 0:20:49- So here's a coin - of year five of Tiberius.
0:20:50 > 0:20:52- Minted in Jerusalem.
0:20:52 > 0:20:55- This is the latest - well-dated coin we have...
0:20:55 > 0:20:59- ..from the fill that now - is getting all the excitement...
0:20:59 > 0:21:04- ..because it redates - at least one piece...
0:21:04 > 0:21:06- ..of the Herodian support wall...
0:21:07 > 0:21:10- ..to the time of Tiberius, - well after Herod's death.
0:21:11 > 0:21:15- Before, we thought that all - the walls around the Temple Mount...
0:21:16 > 0:21:18- ..were built by King Herod...
0:21:18 > 0:21:22- ..and now we understand - that here in this area...
0:21:22 > 0:21:26- ..King Herod - didn't build the Western Wall.
0:21:31 > 0:21:33- Ancient coins - leading to a new discovery.
0:21:34 > 0:21:37- But if there's no basis - to the old tradition...
0:21:37 > 0:21:40- ..why do the Jews - worship here at all?
0:21:40 > 0:21:45- A complex question, and perhaps too - complex to unsettle the faithful.
0:21:48 > 0:21:50- The devout Jew is in no doubt.
0:21:51 > 0:21:54- This is the site - of the ancient temple...
0:21:54 > 0:21:58- ..a site that is completely - integral to their heritage.
0:22:01 > 0:22:05- But a Muslim sanctuary - stands here today.
0:22:06 > 0:22:09- Few signs show that either side...
0:22:09 > 0:22:12- ..is willing to acknowledge - the rights of the other.
0:22:13 > 0:22:18- In the next episode, we discover - how close to war the feud is moving.
0:22:18 > 0:22:22- Dangerous times - for everyone on the planet.
0:22:22 > 0:22:28- On the Temple Mount, the battle over - the Holy Land of Jerusalem rages on.
0:22:57 > 0:22:59- S4C Subtitles by Adnod Cyf.
0:22:59 > 0:22:59- .