10_CRD 
The_AT0 Magnificence_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 Metropolis_NN1 
Israeli_AJ0 archaeologists_NN2 ,_PUN professional_AJ0 and_CJC amateurs_NN2 ,_PUN are_VBB not_XX0 merely_AV0 digging_VVG for_PRP knowledge_NN1 and_CJC objects_NN2 ,_PUN but_CJC for_PRP the_AT0 reassurance_NN1 of_PRF roots_NN2 ._SENT 
—_PUN Amos_NP0 Elon_NP0 
On_PRP June_NP0 20_CRD ,_PUN 1969_CRD ,_PUN three_CRD bombs_NN2 went_VVD off_AVP in_PRP an_AT0 alley_NN1 near_PRP the_AT0 Western_AJ0 Wall_NN1 ,_PUN killing_VVG one_CRD Arab_AJ0 man_NN1 and_CJC injuring_VVG several_DT0 others_NN2 ._SENT Israel_NP0 blamed_VVD saboteurs_NN2 from_PRP Jordan_NP0 ._SENT An_AT0 angry_AJ0 Prime_AJ0 Minister_NN1 Golda_NP0 Meir_NP0 quickly_AV0 approved_VVD the_AT0 rabbinical_AJ0 request_NN1 to_TO0 demolish_VVI the_AT0 fifteenth-century_AJ0 buildings_NN2 clustered_VVN around_PRP the_AT0 Mughrabi_NP0 Gate_NN1 ,_PUN where_AVQ members_NN2 of_PRF the_AT0 Abu_NP0 Saud_NP0 family_NN1 still_AV0 lived_VVN ._SENT 
A_AT0 century_NN1 after_PRP Warren_NP0 had_VHD sparred_VVN with_PRP the_AT0 family_NN1 ,_PUN the_AT0 Arab_AJ0 residents_NN2 were_VBD evicted_VVN ,_PUN and_CJC Israeli_AJ0 bulldozers_NN2 leveled_VVD the_AT0 compound_NN1 without_PRP archaeological_AJ0 supervision_NN1 ._SENT Its_DPS most_DT0 famous_AJ0 resident_NN1 had_VHD lived_VVN there_AV0 as_PRP a_AT0 child_NN1 in_PRP the_AT0 1930s_CRD ;_PUN his_DPS mother_NN1 was_VBD an_AT0 Abu_NP0 Saud_NP0 ._SENT Five_CRD months_NN2 before_PRP the_AT0 demolition_NN1 ,_PUN he_PNP had_VHD been_VBN chosen_VVN to_TO0 chair_VVI the_AT0 Palestine_NP0 Liberation_NN1 Organization_NN1 (_PUL PLO_NP0 )_PUR ,_PUN which_DTQ had_VHD as_PRP its_DPS goal_NN1 the_AT0 liberation_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 region_NN1 from_PRP Israeli_AJ0 control_NN1 ._SENT His_DPS name_NN1 was_VBD Yasser_NP0 Arafat_NP0 ._SENT 
"_PUQ On_PRP the_AT0 few_DT0 occasions_NN2 he_PNP has_VHZ spoken_VVN of_PRF his_DPS childhood_NN1 ,_PUN he_PNP mentioned_VVD the_AT0 destruction_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 Abu_NP0 Saud_NP0 house_NN1 ,_PUN "_PUQ noted_VVD one_CRD biographer_NN1 ._SENT Arafat_NP0 was_VBD already_AV0 involved_VVN in_PRP demolition_NN1 of_PRF his_DPS own_DT0 ,_PUN in_PRP the_AT0 form_NN1 of_PRF bombing_NN1 attacks_NN2 against_PRP both_AV0 Israel_NP0 and_CJC Jordan_NP0 ._SENT 
Israeli_AJ0 archaeologists_NN2 ,_PUN however_AV0 ,_PUN were_VBD more_AV0 concerned_AJ0 with_PRP the_AT0 Chief_AJ0 Rabbinate_NN1 Council_NN1 than_CJS the_AT0 nascent_AJ0 PLO_NP0 ._SENT They_PNP feared_VVD the_AT0 compound_NN1 's_POS destruction_NN1 marked_VVD the_AT0 start_NN1 of_PRF a_AT0 campaign_NN1 by_PRP the_AT0 rabbis_NN2 to_TO0 extend_VVI its_DPS control_NN1 south_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 plaza_NN1 ._SENT Soon_AV0 after_PRP the_AT0 bulldozer_NN1 dust_NN1 had_VHD settled_VVN ,_PUN the_AT0 clerics_NN2 forbade_VVD archaeological_AJ0 work_NN1 within_PRP thirty_CRD feet_NN2 of_PRF the_AT0 entire_AJ0 southern_AJ0 length_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 Western_AJ0 Wall_NN1 ._SENT 
Mazar_NP0 and_CJC Ben-Dov_NP0 boldly_AV0 ignored_VVD the_AT0 decree_NN1 ._SENT They_PNP expanded_VVD their_DPS excavations_NN2 from_PRP the_AT0 south_NN1 slope_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 southern_AJ0 wall_NN1 to_PRP the_AT0 south_NN1 portion_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 Western_AJ0 Wall_NN1 ._SENT Alarmed_AJ0 Orthodox_AJ0 believers_NN2 backed_VVN by_PRP the_AT0 Ministry_NN1 of_PRF Religions_NN2 quickly_AV0 created_VVN a_AT0 prayer_NN1 space_NN1 south_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 gate_NN1 as_PRP a_AT0 kind_NN1 of_PRF spiritual_AJ0 barricade_NN1 to_TO0 block_VVI the_AT0 profane_AJ0 researchers_NN2 ._SENT The_AT0 conflict_NN1 threatened_VVD to_TO0 turn_VVI violent_AJ0 until_PRP the_AT0 ministry_NN1 backed_VVD down_AVP ,_PUN and_CJC the_AT0 worshippers_NN2 withdrew_VVD ._SENT 
From_PRP then_AV0 on_AVP ,_PUN the_AT0 Mughrabi_NP0 Gate_NN1 and_CJC its_DPS sloping_AJ0 ramp_NN1 formed_VVD a_AT0 second_ORD fraught_AJ0 frontier_NN1 ._SENT While_CJS the_AT0 first_ORD border_NN1 separated_VVN Muslims_NN2 on_PRP the_AT0 platform_NN1 to_PRP the_AT0 east_NN1 from_PRP Jews_NN2 on_PRP the_AT0 plaza_NN1 to_PRP the_AT0 west_NN1 ,_PUN the_AT0 second_ORD separated_AJ0 religious_AJ0 Jews_NN2 from_PRP their_DPS secular_AJ0 counterparts_NN2 ._SENT Israeli_AJ0 archaeologists_NN2 reigned_VVD supreme_AJ0 south_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 gate_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC rabbinical_AJ0 authorities_NN2 held_VVD sway_NN1 to_PRP the_AT0 north_NN1 ._SENT 
Nowhere_AV0 were_VBD the_AT0 two_CRD starkly_AV0 competing_AJ0 visions_NN2 of_PRF Israel_NP0 —_PUN one_CRD secular_AJ0 and_CJC scientific_AJ0 minded_AJ0 ,_PUN the_AT0 other_AJ0 traditional_AJ0 and_CJC religious_AJ0 oriented_AJ0 —_PUN more_AV0 apparent_AJ0 ._SENT South_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 border_NN1 ,_PUN tanned_AJ0 young_AJ0 men_NN2 and_CJC a_AT0 few_DT0 women_NN2 dug_VVN through_PRP ancient_AJ0 debris_NN1 in_PRP shorts_NN2 and_CJC tank_NN1 tops_NN2 ._SENT To_PRP the_AT0 north_NN1 ,_PUN men_NN2 had_VHD to_TO0 wear_VVI head_NN1 coverings_NN2 and_CJC women_NN2 were_VBD kept_VVN strictly_AV0 segregated_AJ0 ;_PUN all_DT0 were_VBD expected_VVN to_TO0 dress_VVI modestly_AV0 ._SENT 
Both_AV0 secular_AJ0 and_CJC religious_AJ0 Israeli_AJ0 Jews_NN2 soon_AV0 united_VVN in_PRP surprise_NN1 and_CJC delight_NN1 by_PRP what_DTQ Mazar_NP0 's_POS team_NN1 found_VVD ._SENT Workers_NN2 hit_VVD a_AT0 stone_NN1 inscribed_VVN with_PRP the_AT0 Hebrew_AJ0 words_NN2 for_PRP "_PUQ the_AT0 place_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 trumpeting_NN1 ._SENT "_PUQ That_DT0 phrase_NN1 echoed_VVD a_AT0 mention_NN1 by_PRP the_AT0 Roman_AJ0 Jewish_AJ0 historian_NN1 Josephus_NN1 of_PRF a_AT0 spot_NN1 on_PRP the_AT0 Temple_NP0 Mount_NP0 "_PUQ where_CJS it_PNP was_VBD custom_NN1 for_PRP one_CRD of_PRF the_AT0 priests_NN2 to_TO0 stand_VVI and_CJC to_TO0 give_VVI notice_NN1 ,_PUN by_PRP sound_NN1 of_PRF trumpet_NN1 ,_PUN in_PRP the_AT0 afternoon_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 approach_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC on_PRP the_AT0 following_AJ0 evening_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 close_AJ0 ,_PUN of_PRF every_AT0 seventh_ORD day_NN1 ._SENT "_PUQ 
The_AT0 stone_NN1 presumably_AV0 had_VHD been_VBN cemented_VVN at_PRP the_AT0 top_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 platform_NN1 wall_NN1 built_VVN at_PRP the_AT0 order_NN1 of_PRF Herod_NP0 the_AT0 Great_AJ0 ,_PUN and_CJC it_PNP was_VBD compelling_AJ0 evidence_NN1 that_CJT this_DT0 was_VBD ,_PUN indeed_AV0 ,_PUN the_AT0 site_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 temple_NN1 complex_NN1 during_PRP the_AT0 time_NN1 of_PRF Jesus_NP0 ._SENT When_CJS it_PNP fell_VVD —_PUN likely_AJ0 during_PRP the_AT0 Roman_AJ0 destruction_NN1 of_PRF 70_CRD CE_NP0 —_PUN it_PNP landed_VVD on_PRP a_AT0 broad_AJ0 and_CJC well-paved_AJ0 street_NN1 paralleling_VVG the_AT0 Western_AJ0 Wall_NN1 ._SENT 
Subsequently_AV0 ,_PUN in_PRP a_AT0 nearby_AJ0 trench_NN1 ,_PUN the_AT0 team_NN1 came_VVD across_PRP the_AT0 fragment_NN1 of_PRF a_AT0 biblical_AJ0 verse_NN1 written_VVN in_PRP Hebrew_NN1 during_PRP the_AT0 Byzantine_AJ0 or_CJC early_AJ0 Islamic_AJ0 period_NN1 ._SENT "_PUQ And_CJC you_PNP will_VM0 see_VVI and_CJC your_DPS heart_NN1 will_VM0 rejoice_VVI ,_PUN "_PUQ it_PNP said_VVD ._SENT This_DT0 suggested_VVD a_AT0 Jewish_AJ0 presence_NN1 close_AJ0 to_PRP the_AT0 Western_AJ0 Wall_NN1 long_AV0 after_PRP the_AT0 temple_NN1 was_VBD ruined_VVN ,_PUN when_CJS either_DT0 Christianity_NN1 or_CJC Islam_NN1 was_VBD dominant_AJ0 ._SENT 
The_AT0 discoveries_NN2 created_VVD a_AT0 sensation_NN1 in_PRP Israel_NP0 ._SENT One_CRD newspaper_NN1 declared_VVD the_AT0 dig_NN1 "_PUQ the_AT0 most_AV0 spiritual_AJ0 excavations_NN2 ever_AV0 in_PRP Israel_NP0 ,_PUN "_PUQ while_CJS another_DT0 referred_VVN to_PRP the_AT0 effort_NN1 as_PRP "_PUQ a_AT0 holy_AJ0 work_NN1 ._SENT "_PUQ Leading_VVG Israeli_AJ0 politicians_NN2 ,_PUN including_PRP Prime_AJ0 Minister_NN1 Meir_NP0 and_CJC the_AT0 retired_AJ0 Ben-Gurion_NN1 ,_PUN visited_VVD the_AT0 site_NN1 ,_PUN as_CJS did_VDD scores_NN2 of_PRF Israeli_AJ0 and_CJC international_AJ0 reporters_NN2 ._SENT The_AT0 media_NN0 attention_NN1 also_AV0 attracted_VVD thousands_CRD of_PRF volunteers_NN2 from_PRP around_AV0 the_AT0 world_NN1 ,_PUN Christian_AJ0 as_CJS well_AV0 as_CJS Jewish_AJ0 ,_PUN eager_AJ0 to_TO0 participate_VVI in_PRP unearthing_VVG biblical_AJ0 artifacts_NN2 ._SENT 
The_AT0 finds_NN2 gave_VVD Mazar_NP0 and_CJC Ben-Dov_NP0 an_AT0 edge_NN1 in_PRP their_DPS battle_NN1 with_PRP the_AT0 rabbis_NN2 ,_PUN since_CJS it_PNP undercut_VVB their_DPS claims_NN2 that_DT0 archaeology_NN1 could_VM0 disturb_VVI the_AT0 area_NN1 's_POS "_PUQ sublime_AJ0 sanctity_NN1 ._SENT "_PUQ Work_NN1 continued_VVD in_PRP all_DT0 seasons_NN2 ,_PUN employing_VVG an_AT0 army_NN1 of_PRF engineers_NN2 ,_PUN surveyors_NN2 ,_PUN architects_NN2 ,_PUN artists_NN2 ,_PUN and_CJC photographers_NN2 as_CJS well_AV0 as_CJS laborers_NN2 ,_PUN both_AV0 paid_VVN and_CJC volunteer_NN1 ._SENT Many_DT0 of_PRF the_AT0 day_NN1 laborers_NN2 were_VBD local_AJ0 Arab_AJ0 men_NN2 ._SENT In_PRP the_AT0 first_ORD five_CRD years_NN2 ,_PUN the_AT0 team_NN1 moved_VVD more_AV0 than_CJS one_CRD million_CRD cubic_AJ0 feet_NN2 of_PRF earth_NN1 ,_PUN or_CJC enough_AV0 to_TO0 fill_VVI a_AT0 dozen_CRD Olympic_AJ0 swimming_NN1 pools_NN2 ._SENT 
The_AT0 focus_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 work_NN1 was_VBD squarely_AV0 on_PRP what_DTQ Mazar_NP0 called_VVD "_PUQ the_AT0 magnificence_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 metropolis_NN1 in_PRP the_AT0 first_ORD century_NN1 A.D._AV0 ,_PUN "_PUQ when_AVQ Jewish_AJ0 Jerusalem_NP0 was_VBD at_PRP the_AT0 height_NN1 of_PRF its_DPS glory_NN1 ._SENT As_CJS a_AT0 result_NN1 ,_PUN structures_NN2 from_PRP later_AJC periods_NN2 —_PUN from_PRP late_AV0 Roman_AJ0 to_PRP Ottoman_AJ0 times_NN2 —_PUN were_VBD recorded_VVN but_CJC removed_VVN ._SENT "_PUQ One_CRD of_PRF the_AT0 ironies_NN2 of_PRF searching_VVG for_PRP and_CJC preserving_VVG the_AT0 remains_NN2 of_PRF the_AT0 past_NN1 is_VBZ that_CJT the_AT0 archaeological_AJ0 endeavor_NN1 entails_VVZ destruction_NN1 ,_PUN "_PUQ Ben-Dov_NP0 explained_VVD ._SENT "_PUQ The_AT0 brutal_AJ0 fact_NN1 is_VBZ that_CJT if_CJS you_PNP want_VVB to_TO0 know_VVI what_DTQ lies_VVZ under_PRP a_AT0 certain_AJ0 stratum_NN1 ,_PUN you_PNP have_VHB no_AT0 choice_NN1 but_CJC to_TO0 destroy_VVI it_PNP ._SENT "_PUQ 
He_PNP added_VVD later_AV0 that_CJT "_PUQ the_AT0 idea_NN1 is_VBZ to_TO0 remove_VVI all_DT0 the_AT0 remnants_NN2 of_PRF later_AJC periods_NN2 and_CJC leave_VVB only_AV0 those_DT0 from_PRP Second_ORD Temple_NN1 times_NN2 ._SENT "_PUQ This_DT0 period_NN1 of_PRF Jewish_AJ0 dominance_NN1 before_PRP the_AT0 Roman_AJ0 destruction_NN1 of_PRF 70_CRD CE_NP0 was_VBD considered_VVN the_AT0 most_AV0 important_AJ0 ,_PUN since_CJS its_DPS ruins_NN2 were_VBD "_PUQ so_AV0 impressive_AJ0 and_CJC numerous_AJ0 ._SENT "_PUQ Yet_AV0 this_DT0 decision_NN1 ,_PUN as_CJS is_VBZ often_AV0 the_AT0 case_NN1 at_PRP sites_NN2 with_PRP multiple_AJ0 layers_NN2 ,_PUN came_VVD at_PRP a_AT0 cost_NN1 ._SENT 
The_AT0 team_NN1 ,_PUN for_PRP example_NN1 ,_PUN dismantled_VVD an_AT0 elegant_AJ0 room_NN1 in_PRP a_AT0 medieval_AJ0 Islamic_AJ0 building_NN1 that_CJT in_PRP turn_NN1 revealed_VVD a_AT0 late_AJ0 Roman_AJ0 chamber_NN1 beneath_AV0 littered_VVN with_PRP erotic_AJ0 oil_NN1 lamps_NN2 ,_PUN elaborate_AJ0 rings_NN2 once_AV0 owned_VVN by_PRP Roman_AJ0 soldiers_NN2 ,_PUN and_CJC a_AT0 small_AJ0 bronze_NN1 Celtic_AJ0 cavalryman_NN1 identical_AJ0 to_PRP one_PNI that_CJT turned_VVD up_AVP in_PRP the_AT0 River_NP0 Thames_NP0 in_PRP London_NP0 ._SENT When_CJS this_DT0 area_NN1 was_VBD taken_VVN apart_AV0 ,_PUN the_AT0 excavators_NN2 reached_VVD the_AT0 paved_AJ0 street_NN1 laid_VVD down_AVP next_ORD to_PRP the_AT0 Western_AJ0 Wall_NN1 during_PRP the_AT0 time_NN1 of_PRF Jesus_NP0 ._SENT This_DT0 monumental_AJ0 street_NN1 remained_VVN for_PRP future_AJ0 tourists_NN2 to_TO0 walk_VVI ;_PUN Israeli_AJ0 researchers_NN2 judged_VVD this_DT0 era_NN1 to_TO0 be_VBI of_PRF greater_AJC interest_NN1 to_PRP visitors_NN2 than_CJS what_DTQ came_VVD after_PRP ._SENT 
Later_AV0 archaeologists_NN2 cringed_VVD at_PRP the_AT0 speed_NN1 with_PRP which_DTQ massive_AJ0 amounts_NN2 of_PRF ancient_AJ0 material_NN1 were_VBD swept_VVN away_AV0 with_PRP little_DT0 or_CJC no_AT0 documentation_NN1 ._SENT "_PUQ It_PNP was_VBD one_CRD of_PRF the_AT0 largest_AJS excavations_NN2 ,_PUN "_PUQ said_VVD one_PNI ,_PUN "_PUQ and_CJC one_PNI of_PRF the_AT0 worst_AJS ._SENT "_PUQ Little_DT0 of_PRF the_AT0 tons_NN2 of_PRF earth_NN1 was_VBD closely_AV0 sifted_VVN for_PRP small_AJ0 artifacts_NN2 ,_PUN which_DTQ are_VBB often_AV0 the_AT0 most_AV0 revealing_AJ0 ._SENT 
Mazar_NP0 's_POS team_NN1 was_VBD able_AJ0 to_TO0 solve_VVI a_AT0 number_NN1 of_PRF research_NN1 questions_NN2 ,_PUN including_PRP the_AT0 purpose_NN1 of_PRF Robinson_NP0 's_POS Arch_NN1 ,_PUN the_AT0 bit_NN1 of_PRF stone_NN1 springing_VVG from_PRP the_AT0 Western_AJ0 Wall_NN1 near_PRP Mughrabi_NP0 Gate_NN1 ._SENT Warren_NP0 and_CJC others_NN2 believed_VVD it_PNP to_TO0 be_VBI part_NN1 of_PRF a_AT0 massive_AJ0 bridge_NN1 connecting_VVG the_AT0 Temple_NP0 Mount_NP0 with_PRP the_AT0 main_AJ0 part_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 city_NN1 that_CJT lay_VVD on_PRP the_AT0 slope_NN1 to_PRP the_AT0 west_NN1 ._SENT Instead_AV0 ,_PUN the_AT0 team_NN1 determined_VVD it_PNP was_VBD an_AT0 enormous_AJ0 pedestrian_NN1 interchange_NN1 that_CJT was_VBD a_AT0 wonder_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 ancient_AJ0 world_NN1 ._SENT Such_DT0 discoveries_NN2 ,_PUN Mazar_NP0 said_VVD ,_PUN confirmed_VVD the_AT0 boast_NN1 found_VVN in_PRP the_AT0 Babylonian_AJ0 Talmud_NP0 ,_PUN a_AT0 foundation_NN1 of_PRF rabbinical_AJ0 teaching_NN1 compiled_VVN centuries_NN2 after_PRP the_AT0 city_NN1 's_POS destruction_NN1 :_PUN "_PUQ Whoever_PNQ has_VHZ not_XX0 seen_VVN Jerusalem_NP0 in_PRP its_DPS splendor_NN1 has_VHZ never_AV0 seen_VVN a_AT0 fine_AJ0 city_NN1 ._SENT "_PUQ 
Orthodox_AJ0 believers_NN2 had_VHD long_AV0 repeated_VVN the_AT0 phrase_NN1 ,_PUN but_CJC it_PNP was_VBD secular_AJ0 Israeli_AJ0 archaeologists_NN2 who_PNQ made_VVD that_DT0 splendor_NN1 tangible_AJ0 ._SENT 
Foiled_VVN in_PRP their_DPS attempt_NN1 to_TO0 expand_VVI the_AT0 Western_AJ0 Wall_NN1 Plaza_NN1 to_PRP the_AT0 south_NN1 ,_PUN the_AT0 chief_AJ0 rabbis_NN2 wasted_VVD no_AT0 time_NN1 in_PRP taking_VVG a_AT0 page_NN1 from_PRP nineteenth-century_AJ0 archaeologists_NN2 like_PRP Warren_NP0 ._SENT The_AT0 Ministry_NN1 of_PRF Religions_NN2 turned_VVD its_DPS gaze_NN1 north_NN1 ,_PUN to_PRP what_DTQ the_AT0 British_AJ0 explorer_NN1 's_POS colleague_NN1 Charles_NP0 Wilson_NP0 had_VHD called_VVN "_PUQ one_CRD of_PRF the_AT0 most_AV0 perfect_AJ0 and_CJC magnificent_AJ0 remains_NN2 in_PRP Jerusalem_NP0 ._SENT "_PUQ 
Unlike_PRP Mazar_NP0 's_POS well-publicized_AJ0 digs_NN2 ,_PUN this_DT0 effort_NN1 was_VBD clandestinely_AV0 planned_VVN and_CJC executed_VVN ._SENT Eventually_AV0 it_PNP would_VM0 become_VVI one_PNI of_PRF Jerusalem_NP0 's_POS most_AV0 popular_AJ0 tourist_NN1 attractions_NN2 and_CJC extensive_AJ0 prayer_NN1 spaces_NN2 ._SENT It_PNP would_VM0 also_AV0 spark_VVI frequent_AJ0 protests_NN2 ,_PUN two_CRD international_AJ0 crises_NN2 ,_PUN and_CJC leave_VVB more_AV0 than_CJS one_CRD hundred_CRD dead_AJ0 and_CJC nearly_AV0 a_AT0 thousand_CRD injured_AJ0 ._SENT Ultimately_AV0 it_PNP would_VM0 become_VVI a_AT0 major_AJ0 stumbling_NN1 block_NN1 in_PRP resolving_VVG the_AT0 Israeli-Palestinian_AJ0 crisis_NN1 ._SENT 
The_AT0 fully_AV0 intact_AJ0 ancient_AJ0 arch_NN1 named_VVN for_PRP Wilson_NP0 had_VHD once_AV0 acted_VVN as_PRP the_AT0 final_AJ0 support_NN1 for_PRP a_AT0 broad_AJ0 stone_NN1 aqueduct_NN1 carrying_VVG water_NN1 through_PRP the_AT0 western_AJ0 side_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 city_NN1 to_PRP the_AT0 Temple_NP0 Mount_NP0 ,_PUN though_CJS the_AT0 date_NN1 of_PRF its_DPS construction_NN1 was_VBD disputed_VVN ._SENT By_PRP the_AT0 time_NN1 the_AT0 British_AJ0 Royal_AJ0 Engineer_NN1 examined_VVD it_PNP with_PRP Schick_NP0 in_PRP 1866_CRD ,_PUN the_AT0 monumental_AJ0 stonework_NN1 was_VBD covered_VVN with_PRP later_AJC structures_NN2 and_CJC the_AT0 area_NN1 beneath_AV0 had_VHD been_VBN converted_VVN into_PRP a_AT0 cistern_NN1 ._SENT 
Two_CRD years_NN2 later_AV0 ,_PUN Warren_NP0 had_VHD cut_VVN through_PRP the_AT0 concrete_AJ0 floor_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 reservoir_NN1 ,_PUN struggled_VVD past_AJ0 boulders_NN2 and_CJC broken_AJ0 masonry_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC dug_VVD through_PRP mud_NN1 reeking_NN1 of_PRF sewage_NN1 ._SENT His_DPS team_NN1 's_POS efforts_NN2 paid_VVD off_AVP when_CJS they_PNP opened_VVD up_AVP a_AT0 labyrinth_NN1 of_PRF ancient_AJ0 chambers_NN2 ,_PUN including_PRP what_DTQ he_PNP called_VVD the_AT0 Masonic_AJ0 Hall_NN1 ._SENT Massive_AJ0 foundations_NN2 of_PRF medieval_AJ0 Islamic_AJ0 schools_NN2 to_PRP the_AT0 north_NN1 halted_VVD their_DPS progress_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC complaints_NN2 that_CJT the_AT0 work_NN1 endangered_AJ0 buildings_NN2 above_AV0 prompted_VVD the_AT0 Ottoman_AJ0 governor_NN1 to_TO0 seal_VVI the_AT0 entrance_NN1 ._SENT No_AT0 one_PNI had_VHD entered_VVN the_AT0 space_NN1 since_CJS then_AV0 ._SENT As_CJS late_AV0 as_CJS 1965_CRD ,_PUN one_CRD American_AJ0 archaeologist_NN1 noted_VVD that_CJT "_PUQ presumably_AV0 the_AT0 pasha_NN1 's_POS wall_NN1 is_VBZ still_AV0 there_AV0 ,_PUN waiting_VVG to_TO0 be_VBI removed_VVN by_PRP a_AT0 yet_AV0 greater_AJC diplomat_NN1 than_CJS Charles_NP0 Warren_NP0 ._SENT "_PUQ 
Neither_DT0 could_VM0 have_VHI guessed_VVN that_CJT the_AT0 work_NN1 halted_VVN in_PRP 1868_CRD would_VM0 be_VBI resumed_VVN not_XX0 by_PRP diplomats_NN2 or_CJC scientists_NN2 ,_PUN but_CJC by_PRP Jewish_AJ0 clerics_NN2 ._SENT Precisely_AV0 a_AT0 century_NN1 later_AV0 ,_PUN Minister_NN1 of_PRF Religions_NN2 Wahrhaftig_NP0 approved_VVD a_AT0 plan_NN1 to_TO0 dig_VVI an_AT0 underground_AJ0 passage_NN1 north_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 plaza_NN1 to_TO0 expose_VVI the_AT0 foundation_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 Western_AJ0 Wall_NN1 ._SENT The_AT0 entire_AJ0 wall_NN1 is_VBZ longer_AJC than_CJS the_AT0 Empire_NN1 State_NN1 Building_NN1 is_VBZ tall_AJ0 ,_PUN with_PRP most_DT0 of_PRF its_DPS length_NN1 and_CJC height_NN1 buried_VVN under_PRP later_AJC construction_NN1 ._SENT Accessing_VVG it_PNP required_VVD digging_VVG directly_AV0 beneath_PRP the_AT0 heart_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 Muslim_AJ0 Quarter_NN1 ,_PUN which_DTQ was_VBD thick_AJ0 with_PRP homes_NN2 and_CJC businesses_NN2 and_CJC included_VVD some_DT0 of_PRF the_AT0 city_NN1 's_POS oldest_AJS and_CJC most_AV0 important_AJ0 Islamic_AJ0 structures_NN2 ._SENT 
Wahrhaftig_NP0 's_POS idea_NN1 had_VHD the_AT0 enthusiastic_AJ0 support_NN1 of_PRF Rabbi_NP0 Shlomo_NP0 Goren_NP0 ,_PUN the_AT0 former_DT0 chief_AJ0 rabbi_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 Israeli_AJ0 Defense_NN1 Forces_NN2 and_CJC a_AT0 fervent_AJ0 Ashkenazi_AJ0 nationalist_NN1 ._SENT Goren_NP0 was_VBD bitter_AJ0 that_CJT the_AT0 Temple_NP0 Mount_NP0 had_VHD been_VBN left_VVN in_PRP the_AT0 hands_NN2 of_PRF Muslims_NN2 at_PRP the_AT0 end_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 1967_CRD war_NN1 ._SENT This_DT0 had_VHD been_VBN done_VDN at_PRP the_AT0 direction_NN1 of_PRF General_NP0 Moshe_NP0 Dayan_NP0 ,_PUN who_PNQ saw_VVD it_PNP as_PRP a_AT0 "_PUQ historical_AJ0 site_NN1 of_PRF commemoration_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 past_NN1 "_PUQ rather_AV0 than_CJS a_AT0 place_NN1 for_PRP Jewish_AJ0 prayer_NN1 ;_PUN he_PNP also_AV0 hoped_VVD to_TO0 avoid_VVI igniting_VVG a_AT0 wider_AJC holy_AJ0 war_NN1 ._SENT 
In_PRP protest_NN1 ,_PUN Goren_NP0 had_VHD organized_VVN a_AT0 Jewish_AJ0 prayer_NN1 on_PRP the_AT0 Temple_NP0 Mount_NP0 in_PRP August_NP0 1967_CRD that_CJT resulted_VVD in_PRP a_AT0 riot_NN1 ,_PUN the_AT0 first_ORD recorded_AJ0 clash_NN1 between_PRP Jews_NN2 and_CJC Muslims_NN2 on_PRP the_AT0 sacred_AJ0 platform_NN1 ._SENT Exposing_VVG the_AT0 foundations_NN2 of_PRF the_AT0 Western_AJ0 Wall_NN1 would_VM0 seemingly_AV0 offer_VVI a_AT0 less_AV0 fraught_AJ0 alternative_NN1 for_PRP Jewish_AJ0 worshippers_NN2 ._SENT A_AT0 second_ORD key_AJ0 supporter_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 tunnel_NN1 was_VBD Yehuda_NP0 Getz_NP0 ,_PUN a_AT0 Sephardic_AJ0 cleric_NN1 who_PNQ had_VHD just_AV0 been_VBN appointed_VVN to_PRP the_AT0 new_AJ0 post_NN1 of_PRF rabbi_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 Western_AJ0 Wall_NN1 ._SENT 
As_CJS a_AT0 first_ORD step_NN1 ,_PUN the_AT0 underground_AJ0 wall_NN1 built_VVN by_PRP order_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 pasha_NN1 was_VBD dismantled_VVN in_PRP the_AT0 summer_NN1 of_PRF 1968._CRD Since_CJS Wahrhaftig_NP0 considered_VVD his_DPS ministry_NN1 exempt_AJ0 from_PRP the_AT0 nation_NN1 's_POS antiquities_NN2 laws_NN2 ,_PUN no_AT0 dig_NN1 permit_NN1 was_VBD requested_VVN ,_PUN though_CJS an_AT0 archaeological_AJ0 supervisor_NN1 was_VBD appointed_VVN :_PUN Ben-Dov_NP0 served_VVD as_PRP the_AT0 project_NN1 's_POS nominal_AJ0 scientific_AJ0 supervisor_NN1 for_PRP the_AT0 next_ORD eighteen_CRD years_NN2 ._SENT Busy_AJ0 with_PRP his_DPS other_AJ0 excavations_NN2 ,_PUN he_PNP visited_VVD the_AT0 site_NN1 only_AV0 sporadically_AV0 and_CJC published_VVD no_AT0 scientific_AJ0 papers_NN2 on_PRP the_AT0 effort_NN1 ._SENT 
Keeping_VVG the_AT0 project_NN1 under_PRP wraps_NN2 in_PRP its_DPS initial_AJ0 stages_NN2 was_VBD vital_AJ0 ._SENT "_PUQ Fear_NN1 of_PRF disapproval_NN1 within_PRP Israel_NP0 and_CJC abroad_AV0 was_VBD so_AV0 great_AJ0 that_CJT all_DT0 of_PRF the_AT0 work_NN1 was_VBD conducted_VVN in_PRP the_AT0 utmost_AJ0 secrecy_NN1 ,_PUN "_PUQ wrote_VVD the_AT0 archaeologist_NN1 Dan_NP0 Bahat_NP0 ,_PUN who_PNQ took_VVD over_AVP for_PRP Ben-Dov_NP0 in_PRP the_AT0 mid-1980s_NN2 ._SENT 
Rabbi_NP0 Getz_NP0 oversaw_VVB the_AT0 work_NN1 ._SENT Born_VVN in_PRP Tunisia_NP0 ,_PUN he_PNP came_VVD from_PRP a_AT0 long_AJ0 line_NN1 of_PRF Jewish_AJ0 scholars_NN2 trained_VVN in_PRP the_AT0 mystical_AJ0 tradition_NN1 of_PRF Kabbalah_NN1 that_CJT had_VHD so_AV0 fascinated_VVN the_AT0 Finnish_AJ0 scholar_NN1 Juvelius_NN1 ._SENT This_DT0 path_NN1 ,_PUN which_DTQ developed_VVD in_PRP medieval_AJ0 Muslim_AJ0 Spain_NP0 ,_PUN influenced_VVN and_CJC was_VBD influenced_VVN by_PRP Muslim_AJ0 Sufi_AJ0 thought_NN1 and_CJC practices_NN2 ._SENT Kabbalah_NP0 was_VBD rich_AJ0 in_PRP stories_NN2 and_CJC imagery_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 future_AJ0 Jewish_AJ0 return_NN1 to_PRP Jerusalem_NP0 ,_PUN the_AT0 appearance_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 Messiah_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC the_AT0 end_NN1 of_PRF history_NN1 ._SENT 
