Monumental baths reveal where pilgrims may have purified themselves before entering Jerusalem's Temple
A monumental complex of ritual baths, most likely used by Jewish pilgrims visiting the Temple in Jerusalem, has been uncovered at the foot of the Temple Mount. Dating to the late Second Temple period (first century BCE–70 CE), the exceptionally well-preserved complex includes three large ritual baths (mikva'ot), a monumental plastered pool, a paved plaza and an extensive water system.
A recently discovered complex, containing several mikvaot, has been unearthed at the foot of Jerusalem's Temple Mount, potentially offering insight into the rituals of Jewish pilgrims preparing to enter the Temple. The excavation, conducted over five seasons by Prof. Uzi Leibner and Prof. Orit Peleg-Barkat from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem's Institute of Archaeology, began in 1968 and was initially led by Benjamin Mazar.
The complex, spanning approximately 280 square meters, consists of a large central pool and multiple mikvaot, located near the "Triple Gate," a primary entryway to the Temple Mount during the Second Temple period. The site's layout, including the central pool, ashlar structures, and extensive drainage system, suggests it was designed to accommodate pilgrims and facilitate their purification rituals.
The surviving mikveh, measuring 4.2 meters in height, once functioned as a water reservoir during the Byzantine era. The discovery of earlier mikvaot and evidence of destruction from the Roman period underscores the site's historical significance in understanding ancient pilgrimage practices at the Temple Mount.
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