Have you ever held a piece of ancient Jerusalem in your hand? Don’t miss the opportunity to take part in real archaeological work.
The Temple Mount Sifting Project is a unique initiative accessible to everyone, allowing you to get your hands wet and touch real treasures from the First and Second Temple periods. You will personally help retrieve artifacts that shed light on the ancient ways of life Jerusalem and the Temple Mount.
The Story in Brief
This incredible project was born from an unfortunate event. Vast heaps of soil, laden with countless artifacts, were illegally dug-up and removed from the Temple Mount compound. While the Temple Mount itself has never been accessible to archaeological excavation, these debris heaps provided a rare, one-time opportunity to reveal history buried within its soil.
A creative solution was devised to rescue these hidden treasures: a wet sifting technique that allows residents and tourists alike to save ancient artifacts and connect deeply with Jerusalem’s heritage.
What to Expect?
First, you’ll hear the fascinating story of the earth extracted from the Temple Mount. Then, you’ll receive guidance on how to sift through the soil and identify archaeological treasures yourself.
To date, over 260,000 people have participated, making this the most publicly engaged archaeological project in the world. Thousands of items have been recovered, including coins, ancient weaponry, signets, and even colored tiles from the floors of the courts around the Second Temple.
Make Your Mark on History Now, it’s your turn to contribute to the preservation of history for future generations. For every significant find, we record the name of the person who found it. Visitors who have discovered rare artifacts have even made headlines in Israel and across the globe!
Excited? Join us - who knows what you will find!
“For your servants have cherished her stones, and have redeemed her dust” (Psalms 102:14-15)
