In August 2007, a trial excavation was conducted along the route of a sewer line in the courtyard of the Scottish Church in Jerusalem (Permit No. A-5242; map ref. 221390-5/630760-5). The excavation, undertaken on behalf of the Israel Antiquities Authority and financed by the church, was directed by G. Solimany, with the assistance of R. Abu Halaf (administration), V. Essman (surveying) and T. Kornfeld (drafting).
Excavation of the square (3 × 6 m; Fig. 2) revealed quarrying debris (L100; Fig. 3) consisting of small and medium-sized stones mixed with brown earth beneath a layer of modern soil fill. The fill rested against a wall (W1) built of large un-mortared fieldstones. Another fill (L103; Fig. 4) that abutted and leaned against W1 was exposed below Fill 100. It too contained quarrying debris but its composition was slightly different and consisted of small and medium-sized stones without soil. For safety reasons, to prevent the collapse of the wall, the fills next to it were not cleaned.
The ceramic finds recovered from the fills date to the Iron Age, the Early Roman and the Byzantine periods. The fragments of glass are from the Byzantine period.
In sum, the excavation revealed a retaining wall and fills dating to the Byzantine period.
Avner R. and Zelinger Y. 2015. A Cemetery, a Quarry and Remains of a Church at Ketef Hinnom, Jerusalem.
ʽAtiqot 80 (Hebrew, pp. 23*–53*; English summary, pp. 141–142).
Barkay G. 1984. Excavations on the Slope of the Hinnom Valley, Jerusalem. Qadmoniot 68:94–108 (Hebrew).
Barkay G. 1986. Ketef Hinnom: A Treasure Facing Jerusalem’s Walls. (Israel Museum Catalogue 274). Jerusalem.