What are the Tombs of Jerusalem?:
Jerusalem is surrounded by tombs and graves — mostly Jewish but also many Muslim tombs as well. It has been said that Jerusalem’s population of the dead is a large as that of the living. Burials within Jerusalem were forbidden under Jewish custom, so the hills around the city were filled by burial plots. It was believed that in the final days the dead would rise again and immediately gaze upon the Holy City, now sanctified by God.
Jerusalem is surrounded by tombs and graves — mostly Jewish but also many Muslim tombs as well. It has been said that Jerusalem’s population of the dead is a large as that of the living. Burials within Jerusalem were forbidden under Jewish custom, so the hills around the city were filled by burial plots. It was believed that in the final days the dead would rise again and immediately gaze upon the Holy City, now sanctified by God.
Where are the Tombs of Jerusalem?:
Tombs and graves are located all around Jerusalem, but the most elegant and famous are the Tomb of Absalom, the Tomb of the Sons of Hezir, and the Tomb of Zechariah. They are located in the Kidron Valley on the lower western slope of the Mount of Olives (very close to the Garden of Gethsemane). All date to the time of the Second Temple. The oldest grave sites of Jerusalem are also found around the Kidron Valley
Tombs and graves are located all around Jerusalem, but the most elegant and famous are the Tomb of Absalom, the Tomb of the Sons of Hezir, and the Tomb of Zechariah. They are located in the Kidron Valley on the lower western slope of the Mount of Olives (very close to the Garden of Gethsemane). All date to the time of the Second Temple. The oldest grave sites of Jerusalem are also found around the Kidron Valley
Why are the Tombs of Jerusalem important?:
Tombs like this were carved right into the hard limestone and thus were very expensive to construct. The presence of such tombs points to a thriving economy and culture and, if any are discovered before grave robbers get there, they can provide archaeologists with a wealth of information about life and customs of the time.
Tombs like this were carved right into the hard limestone and thus were very expensive to construct. The presence of such tombs points to a thriving economy and culture and, if any are discovered before grave robbers get there, they can provide archaeologists with a wealth of information about life and customs of the time.
