Israeli anger over holy site workWhatever the date of the remains, they should be excavated scientifically by specialists who know what they're doing.
By Martin Asser
BBC News, Jerusalem
A group of Israeli archaeologists is protesting about fresh excavations at Jerusalem's holiest religious shrine, saying it threatens priceless relics.
Muslim authorities at al-Aqsa mosque, also venerated by Jews as the Temple Mount, are digging a 150-metre trench for water pipes and electricity cables.
Israeli critics say the work is causing irreparable damage, indiscriminately piling up earth and carved stones.
Mosque officials insist it is urgent infrastructure work doing no damage.
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Dr [Gabriel] Barkai identifies the area currently under excavation as the outer courts of the Second Temple, built by Herod the Great in the First Century BC.
He maintains it is where the best preservation of antiquities was anticipated, since other parts of the compound are built on exposed bedrock.
He accuses the Islamic authorities of wanting to "show who is the boss" by destroying Jewish remains in al-Aqsa mosque.
He also lambastes the Israeli Antiquities Authority, meant to supervise any work at archaeological sites, for apparently giving the work legitimacy.
Yusuf Natsheh of the Islamic Waqf dismisses such claims, saying the area has been dug many times and arguing that remains unearthed would be from the 16th or 17th century Ottoman period.
He says the work is urgently needed to maintain the al-Aqsa compound as an important religious institution.
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Earlier coverage here, here, here, and here.
