Jerusalem, the Old City, Wilson’s Arch and the Great Causeway

A monumental public hall from the Second Temple period, known as the Masonic Hall, was uncovered beneath Wilson's Arch and the Great Causeway in Jerusalem. This discovery, first documented by scholars in the 19th century, was further investigated through excavations and tunnel work conducted by various institutions, including the Ministry of Religious Affairs and the Israel Antiquities Authority. The research involved removing soil, repairing ancient vaults, and exposing street remains dating to the Roman-Byzantine period, including parts of the eastern cardo. Additional findings included a monumental staircase from the Second Temple period above Wilson's Arch. These excavations have significantly contributed to understanding Jerusalem's architectural evolution and its historical layers.

Weksler-Bdolah, S., Onn, A., & Bar-Nathan, R. (2011). Jerusalem, the Old City, Wilson’s Arch and the Great Causeway. Hadashot Arkheologiyot - Excavations and Surveys in Israel. https://doi.org/10.69704/jhaesi.116.2004.1738