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Archaeological Exploration in Zedekiah’s Cave

Wyatt Archaeological Research announces archaeological exploration in Zedekiah’s Cave – also known as King Solomon’s Quarries. Jerusalem, Israel – September 2011

History:

Far beneath the Old City of Jerusalem lies Zedekiah’s Cave, a vast underground quarry thought to have been employed in the building of the temple in Jerusalem. Forgotten for hundreds of years, the cave was rediscovered in 1854 by James Barkley, an American missionary, while searching for his lost dog.

Between the years 2003 and 2006, as a part of a larger area survey, Wyatt Archaeological Research conducted extensive subsurface radar and resistivity scans in and around the caverns. In addition, excavation was conducted in an area of the cave marked by an ancient carving of a cherub, discovered in 1873 by French archaeologist Charles Clermont-Ganneau. Ron Wyatt described that area as an extension of the cave, a passageway leading north to the area of Jeremiah’s grotto and The Garden Tomb.

Even farther down, under Zedekiah’s Cave lies another layer of caverns that tourists never see, and that very few people are even aware of. Over 15 years ago, without speculation, Wyatt Archaeological Research quietly pointed out the area to a limited number of people. The lower cave could present a connection between the existing caverns and those thought to have originally extended farther to the north. Recent discoveries of hidden corridors beneath Jerusalem prove that anything is possible. What is most interesting about the lower cave system is the fact that a defensive wall was discovered, which recent surveys show to be directly under the towering northern walls of Jerusalem. How do we know that it is a defensive wall? The wall has arrow ports, an opening in the wall consisting of a narrow slit on the outside of the wall with a larger wedge shaped opening on the inside to allow archers to defend the city. From the outside all that is seen is a narrow slit – from the inside the entire area beyond the wall. The point is: that wall, at some point in time, seems to have defended that area from being entered from outside the Old City of Jerusalem.

Previous Excavations:

Our extensive excavations in the area of The Garden Tomb were concluded in 2007. Those highly successful excavations uncovered portions of first century Jerusalem that had not been seen for thousands of years. Some thirty feet underground, artifacts were found that can be traced back to Haran and Ur of the Chaldees, the area from which Abraham was called out. Most importantly, we were able to document the fact that the area near The Garden Tomb was indeed a garden – an agricultural center – during the first century.

There is more to be learned, and after four long years of waiting, the time is now right, for many reasons. Permission has just been granted for the continuation of our efforts. During the month of September, Wyatt Archaeological Research, in conjunction with Israel Antiquities Authority, will be conducting investigations and excavations in the lower level of Zedekiah’s Cave. We need your help.

Now’s the Time:

Since our previous excavations, many of you have expressed an interest in working with us in Israel. Now you can have the unique opportunity to work under the Old City of Jerusalem, in the actual quarries of King Solomon. As in the past, Wyatt Archaeological Research is looking for financial support, and for volunteers to help with the work. Archaeological research involves more than just physical labor. We also need people to help with photography and videography, the transportation of workers, internal security, the cleaning and cataloguing of pottery and artifacts, arranging for work site meals and many other related tasks. During past excavations our team members have ranged from 9 to 85 years of age. There is work for everyone.

Touring:

On our days off, and as time permits, we are also making plans to tour the area of Galilee: including the City of Tiberias – The Sea of Galilee, The Mount of Beatitudes – Capernaum – Hazor – Chorazim – The Golan Heights, and the Jordan River. As our work will be conducted in Jerusalem there will be plenty of time to see all the sites, including the Western Wall, The Via Dolorosa, The Old City Marketplace, The Mount of Olives, The Garden Tomb, The Rabbi’s Tunnel, The Archaeological Park, and much more. Museums in Jerusalem include The Israel Museum, Bible Lands Museum, Holocaust Museum, Rockefeller Museum and others. In addition, our workers will have the unique privilege to visit the Israel Archaeological Authority laboratories – the centers where artifacts are painstakingly documented and restored.

As always, we will schedule a time for travel to the Dead Sea. At Qumran we will visit the sites where my son David and I performed radar scans as a part of a History Channel documentary. Then on to Sodom and Gomorrah where fire and brimstone turned the cities of the plain into ashes. While some may wish to spend more time searching for brimstone, others might want to ride the cable car to the top of Masada, the mountaintop fortress of King Herod.

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We need your help. There is a great deal of expense involved with a project of this magnitude. Wyatt Archaeological Research, as a non-profit research organization, depends on and appreciates your most generous contributions. It is only by way of your support that the work at hand becomes a reality. Tax deductible contributions can be made to Wyatt Archaeological Research – 2502 Lynnville, Hwy. – Cornersville, TN 37047. Contributions by way of credit card can be made by calling the Museum at (931)293-4745 or by visiting our website www.wyattmuseum.com Follow the links for donations under the heading Zedekiah’s Cave project – 2011.

We invite you to join with us in this historical and timely undertaking. Over and over again archaeology has proven the scriptures to be an accurate record of history. Please pray that through our joint efforts exciting discoveries will be made, great things will be accomplished, and that as a result, people will be awakened and drawn to our Creator.

Thank you again for your continued interest and support of our efforts in the field of Biblical archaeology. I sincerely appreciate your consideration.

Your friend and fellow servant,
Richard Rives

“Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.” 1 Thessalonians 5:21

For more information contact:
Richard Rives, President of Wyatt Archaeological Research.
Wyatt Museum – (931)293-4745
richardrives@yahoo.com

P.S. Please let us hear from you soon. The exploration of King Solomon’s Quarries, scheduled for September, is only three months away, and we really need your help.

One comment

  1. Much after your need of 9/2007, I appreciate you and all WAR has done in this field!

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