JERUSALEM (Reuters) – When Jesus entered the ancient synagogue in Jerusalem, his feet found hewn stones and earth-colored tiles in a cold geometric design, touching the reservoir.
This is the understanding of Israeli archaeologists and Freemasons, who designed historical monuments and texts and recreated the sacred ground so that it can be enjoyed today.
“We had scratches and all kinds of marks, and it looked like it was then,” archaeologist Asaf Abraham told Reuters in an ankle-high replica on Mount Olive, from about three square feet. The old city of Jerusalem and the sacred places.
According to the New Testament, Jesus went to church as a boy to wander and study, and as an old pastor he kicked out those who exchanged money in anger. The Gospel of John describes him “walking in the temple under the porch of Solomon”.
King Herod designed this temple to resemble other magnificent structures in Judea during Roman times. The remaining tiles from these ruins were the materials used by archaeologists – like hand-made limestone and Dead Sea stone, as well as imported marble – and the carvings were in the ornate “Opus Sectile” style.
The then Jewish historian, Josephus Flavius, wrote that the courtyards of the temple were “made of all kinds of stones,” another sign that the tiles were of different colors and textures.
Avi Thavisal, director of the artisan group, said it took seven months to rebuild the floor, which was “very hard work”.
“But it was so interesting, we did it wholeheartedly,” he said. “We hope people can come and see, feel, touch and feel what it was like 2000 years ago.”
(Written by Don Williams, edited by Ed Osmond)