In Jerusalem, whose history takes precedence?

This is part of our daily newsletter series. Want this in your inbox? Subscribe here.

Jerusalem is one of the world’s fastest growing tourist destinations, and Israeli

archaeologists have helped turn a quiet Arab neighborhood into one of the city’s most popular attractions. What once was a dusty parking lot is now an enormous pit open to the sky, encompassing much of the city’s past 2,600 years—from early Islamic workshops and a Roman villa to impressive Iron Age buildings predating the Babylonian destruction of 586 B.C.

Soon the excavation pit (see below) will open to the public, beneath a large new visitors center.

But in a city central to the three great monotheistic faiths, putting a spade into the ground can have immediate and far-reaching consequences. Politics, religion, and archaeology have long been deeply entwined

DON'T MISS THE REST OF THIS STORY!
Create a free account to continue and get unlimited access to hundreds of Nat Geo articles, plus newsletters.

Create your free account to continue reading

No credit card required. Unlimited access to free content.
Or get a Premium Subscription to access the best of Nat Geo - just $19
SUBSCRIBE

Go Further

Subscriber Exclusive Content

Why are people so dang obsessed with Mars?

How viruses shape our world

The era of greyhound racing in the U.S. is coming to an end

See how people have imagined life on Mars through history

See how NASA’s new Mars rover will explore the red planet

Why are people so dang obsessed with Mars?

How viruses shape our world

The era of greyhound racing in the U.S. is coming to an end

See how people have imagined life on Mars through history

See how NASA’s new Mars rover will explore the red planet

Why are people so dang obsessed with Mars?

How viruses shape our world

The era of greyhound racing in the U.S. is coming to an end

See how people have imagined life on Mars through history

See how NASA’s new Mars rover will explore the red planet