Column Capital of the Doric Order (2nd cent. BCE – 1st cent. CE)

A limestone column capital of the Doric order, 75 cm at base, preserved to a height of 36 cm.

The capitol, which headed a column standing 3.8–4.5 m in height, is of exceptional shape, already out of style by Herod’s period, and likely stood in “Solomon’s Porch”, the eastern portico of the Temple Mount built before the Herodian construction (Jewish Wars 5.145; John 10:23; Acts 3:11).

Capitals of the Doric order from the Second Temple Period in Jerusalem were found in the Tomb of the Ḥezir priestly family, in the Western Wall Tunnels, in the Ophel south of the Temple Mount and in additional sites, and are dated to the days of the Hasmonaean dynasty and onwards.