Prof. Nahman Avigad, head of an archaeological team, disclosed today that the remains of a pre-Herodian building of “monumental” proportions were unearthed during excavations in the Jewish quarter of the Old City last year. He said a column base almost two yards wide was found indicating that the structure possessed columns at least 12 yards high, reminiscent of the Hasmonaean palace once built in Jerusalem. According to Prof. Avigad, such columns were usually used in a temple rather than a palace. King Herod, a ruler of Judaea, lived between 73-4 BCE. The archaeologist said capitals of “superb design” were found near the column base.
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