It was our second time at the Temple Mount Sifting Project and surely not the last!nIts educating and interesting for adults and little kids alike
Join The Temple Mount Sifting Project & Reveal Jerusalem’s Buried Secrets
Photo: Courtesy of the Dirt Filter Project from the Temple Mount
Photo: Courtesy of the Dirt Filter Project from the Temple Mount
Photo: Courtesy of the Dirt Filter Project from the Temple Mount
Photo: Courtesy of the Dirt Filter Project from the Temple Mount
Photo: Courtesy of the Dirt Filter Project from the Temple Mount
Photo: Courtesy of the Dirt Filter Project from the Temple Mount
Photo: Courtesy of the Dirt Filter Project from the Temple Mount
Photo: Courtesy of the Dirt Filter Project from the Temple Mount
Photo: Courtesy of the Dirt Filter Project from the Temple Mount
Photo: Courtesy of the Dirt Filter Project from the Temple Mount
Dates & Times
If you’re looking for a unique activity for the whole family and all ages, the special sifting activity of the Temple Mount is an excellent idea for you!
A unique and fascinating experience, that allows you to hold the story of the Temple Mount in your very hands.
All members of the family will try themselves in real archaeological work, becoming real-life archaeologists who are seeking historical relics in the soil.
How the activity goes?
You’ll listen to the story of the soil you’ll be sifting.
It was removed from the Temple Mount site in the dead of night, and now you’d look for archaeology in it.
The Temple Mount was such an important place with a rich history. Remnants of it can be found in every fistful of dirt – jewelry, seal prints, ancient weapons, decorated flooring tiles from the Temple, and countless other special items that will fill up the pages of history.
And you and your family can contribute to that.
Over 200,000 people have already taken part in the sifting work, with thousands of diverse remains uncovered – the names of each person who found them were marked as well, being mentioned in the media in Israel and around the world.
So what’s the story in a nutshell?
It all started in 1999 when illegal construction work on the Temple Mount was initiated by the Muslim Waqf.
To protect the historical value of the soil, huge amounts of earth containing archaeological remains of the temple were excavated and evacuated to Kedron Creek.
Since the Temple Mount is inaccessible for archaeological excavation, sifting the dirt removed from it provides a rare opportunity to uncover the archaeological treasures that remained hidden in the mountain’s soil.
Is the idea of discovering items of Jewish history excite you?
Take the role of an archaeologist for a day and help save and uncover ancient relics from the most important site in the heritage of the People of Israel!
Important Notes
- The activity lasts for about two hours and does not involve physical exertion.
- The weather conditions on site are suitable for all seasons, even on Hamsin days.
- The Hamasu’ot Lookout is at the highest point in Jerusalem and is highly windy.
- The sifting activity is done in water, which helps endure the heat.
- In the winter and on rainy days, the activity is held in a greenhouse, and the sifting is done using heated water.
Dates & Times
Getting There
Arriving by car
Paid parking – at the Hebrew University parking lot. Type into WAZE: “HaMasu’ot Lookout – parking” (WAZE link). After you park, cross the road towards the sifting site that is outlined by the fence. You’ll see brown-colored signposts pointing toward the observatory.
Free parking – on “Hadassa Lempel Str” (WAZE link). Park at the beginning of the street and continue on foot (1-minute walk), at the intersection of the road, turn right and on the next one – turn right again and enter the compound.
*Please note – be careful not to go down towards Emek Tzurim National Park mistakenly.
-It’s prohibited to drive directly away from the sifting site to the parking on Hadassa Lempel street.
Read MoreArriving by public transportation
The site is located in a short walking distance from the following bus stops:
Line 48A – “School of Education / Buber” bus stop (2-minutes walk to the sifting site).
Line 48 – “House Of Light / Lempel” station.
Line 84 – “Mount Scopus tunnel Road / Martin Buber” station.
TripAdvisor Reviews
Based on 191 traveler reviews"A great experience on Mount Scopus"
we were brought to experience the sifting Project that now the sift remains of many archeological sites in Jerusalem, it started with the Temple Mount and now they do another site, but it is a great experience and very much recommend it, I found a small coin....other of my colleagues as well found pieces...
Morewe were brought to experience the sifting Project that now the sift remains of many archeological sites in Jerusalem, it started with the Temple Mount and now they do another site, but it is a great experience and very much recommend it, I found a small coin....other of my colleagues as well found pieces of clay....it is fun and worth it
Less"Always fun and interesting"
"Very unique place, combination of both contribution to the community and a very exiting experience."
You can touch History :-) nArcheological findings stretching over 3,000 years!!!nMy children had a very good time.