The book is excellent, your drawings are exquisite and I found the introductory “Tour” chapter to be delightful as well as comprehensive. I look forward to finishing the rest more carefully.

For now, this comment is merely in response to the pages you cited above: The evidence is definitely strong, and of course you must be right that it can only refer to the time period of Herod the Great. However, as I see the inscription is fragmentary with just 7 words in 5 lines and the word translated “for the pavement” is isolated on the 4th line… I have to wonder.

Isn’t it at least possible that this merely paid for the paving of the sanctuary instead of the entire courtyard?

I’d be thankful if you might be open to corresponding more privately by e-mail on my other questions about paving in Jerusalem and paving in general, because I really don’t intend to _keep_ hijacking your posts like this.

Please understand, I know I could never in a million years even begin to do all the work you’ve put together. So I will consider it a great honor indeed if you’ll take some time on this and then revisit my blog post on the courtyard whenever you have the time.

Thanks again for your graciousness so far…

Thank you so very, very much for your feedback and help. And once again, thank you for doing all this work! I look forward to getting your books and (hopefully) to further discussion.

I think it was Wycherley’s “How the Greeks Built Cities” that first surprised me with the idea that most ancient streets and the floors of most homes remained unpaved, packed earth. And so my question is: have you done any research on that as it applies to the Temple Courts being Court”yards”?

I did a post on this topic this morning, and having since perused your blog I must leap at this timing. Will you please come and comment on the feasibility of my hypothesis? I freely admit as an amateur that may be all it is, but even if you’ll at least stop by, I’ll be thrilled.

I should also say it was merely my studies in NT chronology that led me to even consider the Temple Mount as a topic itself. (I was summarizing events of the year 4 BC.) But I mention this here just to admit I know less than very little about NT Archaeology. So I really do hope you’ll forgive whatever rough edges I’m certain my posts will display.

You may also be able to set me straight, if need be, on my post of last night regarding the pre-construction phase of Herod’s Temple.

This takes html, I trust? Here’s the dirt and the prep-work.

You may also enjoy my other sites, as well. I’d be pleased to receive any any feedback or helpful critique you can offer.

I remain in awe of your body of work. And so very grateful for any bits of your time.

Thanks so much. ‘See you’ soon.