‘Holy Work’

In Hebrew, we have a term called "Avodat Kodesh," which literally means 'Holy Work,' but actually refers to an unpleasant or tedious job done for a higher cause, one that very few are ready to take upon themselves. Occasionally, we at the TMSP…

Sukkot at the Temple Mount Sifting Project

This Sukkot holiday we will be raffling off (at no extra charge) among all those who make sifting reservations and share this post, two professionally produced replicas of an ancient Jewish coin from the end of the Second Temple period. This…
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A Glimpse into the Difficulties of Conducting Archaeology in Jerusalem

Three weeks ago, we transferred more of the Temple Mount debris piles to our sifting site, which were buried in the upper terraces of Emek Tzurim. Unfortunately, we had to leave a lot of the soil behind to preserve the terraces and the trees. Here's…

Unity Around the Really Important Things – The Heritage of the Temple Mount

We find ourselves a few days before Rosh Hashanah, in these days of controversy among the people of Israel, when questions are being discussed like what kind of majority is needed to make essential and fundamental decisions.  At such a…
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Even the Shattered Fragments of the Tablets Contain Meaning

Moses breaking the tablets, Gustav Dora (1832-1883). Yesterday was the 17th day of Tammuz, which is considered one of the four fasts observed by the Jewish People in order to commemorate the destruction of Jerusalem and the First and Second…

Find and Finder of the Month: Yiftah Levi Found a Knights Templar Horseshoe Nail

For want of a nail the shoe was lost  For want of a shoe the horse was lost  For want of a horse the rider was lost  For want of a rider the battle was lost  For want of a battle the kingdom was lost  And…
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A Piercing Insight Into Ancient Beads

When coming into the sifting site, groups are shown into a gallery where a few of our finds are displayed, and our guides are presented with a tough choice – with limited time, which do you point out and discuss?  Personally,…
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Find and Finder of the Month: Robert Kolb found a Spindle Whorl with a significant number

Robert Kolb with the spindle whorl Our latest Finder of the Month is Robert Kolb, a retired US Army officer. Robert tells us that he “was so excited to have played a small part in helping us understand the history of this amazing country.…
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An Important Letter from the Temple Mount Sifting Project

The story of the Temple Mount Sifting Project is your story just as much as it is ours. Ever since its founding, the project has continuously relied upon people just like you. It is our many followers, supporters and volunteers who play a vital…
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The Archaeology of Archaeology

The term ‘archaeology of archaeology’ may not be that common, but that’s what we did last week. Occasionally, archaeologists carry out excavations at sites that were created as the result of previous archaeological activity. Generally,…
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Find and Finders of the Month: André and Daniela Lopes Found a Piece of a Stone Vessel

When we heard about the Temple Mount Sifting Project months before we planned our trip to Israel, we made sure to plan our participation. Being able to have the experience of touching such ancient and sacred materials was a unique opportunity!…
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The Deeper Meaning of the Temple and Your Part in Continuing Revealing it

The Jewish people commemorate and mourn the destruction of the Temple every year in the Jewish date 9th of Av. This year it turns on Shabbat, so the mourning will not take place tomorrow but on Sunday, the 10th of Av. The first days of the…