During May 2012, a salvage excavation was conducted in the Sanhedriyya quarter of Jerusalem (Permit No. A-6508; map ref. 220762–74/634171–88; Fig. 1), prior to construction. The excavation, undertaken on behalf of the Israel Antiquities Authority and underwritten by A. Hacker, was directed by I. Zilberbod, with the assistance of N. Nehama (administration), V. Essman, Y. Shmidov and E. Belashov (surveying and drafting) and A. Peretz (field photography).
Remains of a quarry (c. 2.0×7.5 m; Figs. 2, 3) were exposed in the excavation. Numerous quarries have been identified at the top of the Nahal Sanhedrin channel, which runs from Nahal Zofim to the Sanhedriyya quarter. Rock-hewn burial caves were documented in the Sanhedrin Garden during the survey of Jerusalem, c. 50 m south of the current excavation (Kloner 2001:58–61, Sites 141–145).
The entire eastern side (length c. 7 m, depth c. 4 m) of the quarry, which was hewn in the bedrock without steps, was exposed. The southern side (length c. 1 m, depth c. 1.5 m; Fig. 4) and the northern side (length c. 2 m, depth c. 3 m; Fig. 5) were partially uncovered. The western side was located beyond the bounds of the excavation area. Numerous separating channels (L2, L4–L6; length 2–3 m, width c. 0.15 m, max. depth c. 0.3 m) and signs of rock-cutting and detachment of stones (size of stones c. 1.5×2.0 m; Fig. 6) were exposed on the floor of the quarry. A large rock block (L13; 1.3×1.5×1.5 m) was revealed in situ on the floor; however, it was not completely detached from the bedrock. Rock-cutting debris was found in the southern part of the quarry, consisting of alternating layers of small and medium-sized stone chips and layers of light yellow-brown soil. No datable finds were discovered.
Kloner A. 2001. Survey of Jerusalem: The Northeastern Sector. Jerusalem.