FOUR TOMBS IN THE KIDRON VALLEY

Note to Jewish readers : The area may house forgotten graves. Kohanim should therefore refrain from visiting the site. However, the structures may be viewed from afar.

The Kidron Valley begins to the north/east of the Old city of Jerusalem & extends to the Dead Sea. The valley being the natural border between the ancient city of Jerusalem & the Mount of Olives, the apex of which delineates the start of the Judean desert. Home to a 3000 year old Jewish cemetery which accommodates 122 000 Jewish graves, the Mount of Olives cemetery is still active today. Israel's adversaries regard this cemetery as occupied land, however 122 000 departed Jewish souls attest to the falsity of this claim.

At the base of the Mount of Olives on the east side of the Kidron Valley are 4 tombs, namely Zechariah's tomb, the tomb of Hezir's Sons, Absalom's pillar & Jehoshaphat's Cave.

ZECHARIAH'S TOMB : The tomb is associated with the prophet & priest Zechariah, who lived during the First Temple Period. He was stoned to death on the orders of king Jehoash (2 : Chronicles 24 : 20-22), the 8th king of Judah (835 B.C.E-796 B.C.E.). However, the tomb has been dated to the second half of the 1st century B.C.E. which is much later than the biblical event. One possible explanation to this discrepacy in dates is that the tomb is actually a "nefesh", which is a funerary monument built at a later date adjacent to the burial site. The burial site itself not having survived the rigours of time. The architectural make up of the tomb certainly supports this hypothesis. The relief façade is without doubt inspired by both the Hellenist's who occupied the Holyland from 332 B.C.E. to 167 B.C.E. & the Roman's who's occupation began in 63 B.C.E., the latter of which corresponding to the tomb's dating.

The whole façade is carved in relief. Relief is a sculptural technique where the sculpted elements remain attached to a solid background of the same material. The façade begins with 2 steps which lead to a plinth on which sits the column base's & pilasters (column's in relief), which in this case are crowned with ionic capitols. Just below the capitols there is evidence of column fluting (grooves carved into the column) but these do not extend down to the column base's which is usually the case. Above the column capitols are the architrave, frieze & cornice which are collectively known as the entablature. The aformentioned components are devoid of decoration which is uncommon. Uncharacteristic of Hellinistic or Roman structures is the triangular roof which could have been inspired by Egyptian architecture. An opening at the base of the stairs leads to an internal chamber.

THE TOMB OF HAZIR'S SONS : King Uzziah (767 B.C.E.-740 B.C.E.), the 10th king of Judah was not a priest but nevertheless attempted to serve as a Kohen (priest) in the Temple. As a divine punishment, he was smitten with leprosy and banished for the remainder of his life to the site that is occupied by the Tomb of Hazir's sons. (2 Chronicles 26 : 21). There are some who believe this to be the burial site of Uzziah, but the architectural make up of the stucture suggests otherwise & indicates that it was built during the 2nd century B.C.E. With the exception of the missing plinth's & column bases, the façade is made up of columns that end in capitols which support an entablature made up of an architrave, frieze & cornice. In addition, a Hebrew inscription from the 1st century B.C.E. reads, "This is the tomb & the "nefesh" of Elazar, Hanya, Yoezer, Yehudah, & Elezar sons of Chanya, priests from the sons of Hazir". These being members of a priestly family who lived during the First Temple Period (1 Chronicles 24 :15 ) & continued to serve during the Second Temple Period (586 B.C.E – 73 C.E.). The tomb itself comprises of an entrance hall that leads to the main hall, beyond which are three rooms which housed the remains of Hazir family priests from the Second Temple Period.

ABASALOM'S PILLAR : Again we have a discrepancy between the biblical event and the architectural makeup of the pillar. Absalom, King David's rebellious son, proclaimed his intent to build a monument to himself (2 Samuel 18:18). However, the architecture is in the style of the 1st century C.E., approxiamately a 1000 years later than the reign of King David. (1010 B.C.E – 970 B.C.E.). Once again the façade is carved in relief. The lower section is made up of a step, plinth, column base & pilaster (a column in relief ) that is capped with an ionic capitol. Above which is the entablature made up of the architrave, frieze & cornice. The upper section comprises of a square pedistal made up of ashlers which are finely dressed cut stones who's edges have been smoothed, therby forming a frame around the stone's perimeter. The ashlars support a circular element known as a thalos, which is a concave conical roof crowned by an egyptian styled lotus flower. One theory is that the lower section of the" pillar" served as a burial sight whilst the upper section as a "nefesh". The structure was possibly financed by wealthy 2nd Temple families. Absalom's rebelion againts his father & resultant demise created a tradition amongst Jewish, Christian & Muslim residents of Jerusalem. Unruly children were taken to the site and told of the consequences of rebeling againts their parents. ( 2 : Samuel 18 : 14-17 ).

CAVE OF JEHOSHAPHAT : Located adjacent to Absalom's Pillar & in all probhability an extension of Abasalom's pillar. One theory is that the cave served as a burial chamber for the offspring & the "pillar" was reserved for family heads.

Ron Traub : (Tour Guide & Architect). Website : rontraub-tours.com Photo's : Rimonah Traub. Sketches : Ron Traub.