According to Dr. Shlomit Weksler-Bdolach, Excavation director on behalf of the IAA, “This is, without a doubt, one of the most magnificent public buildings from the Second Temple period that has ever been uncovered outside the Temple Mount walls in Jerusalem. It was built around 20–30 CE. The building, which, apparently, stood along a street leading up to the Temple Mount, was used for public functions – it may even have been the city council building where important dignitaries were received before entering the Temple compound and the Temple Mount.”The building is going on display as part of the Western Wall Tunnels complex. For more on the latter, see the links collected here and also here and here.
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