Jerusalem Temple Mount southern steps 09

When the Romans destroyed the temple and much of the Temple Mount retaining wall in AD 70, the huge stones from the top of the wall crashed down on the structures below, covering whatever lay beneath for nearly 1,900 years. After the Six-Day War in 1967, archaeologists began clearing the debris. On the southern side of the Temple Mount, they uncovered a series of steps that had led to a major entrance to the place of worship. No doubt, every person we read about in the Gospels walked on these steps. Peter’s Pentecost sermon (Acts 2) may have taken place here. The steps are surrounded by ritual washing pools that could have served as a place for baptism.