In 1999, 15,000 tons of archaeological earth were ruined | Eylon Levy with Doron Spielman
Israel: State of a Nation
In 1999, a significant archaeological controversy unfolded when 15,000 tons of earth containing valuable historical artifacts were displaced during the expansion of a mosque on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. This earth, laden with objects of immense archaeological importance, was discarded, effectively erasing critical aspects of history that the site could have revealed. The action provoked outrage and led to one of the largest petitions in Israel's history, with many calling for the preservation of archaeological integrity in such a historically and religiously significant area. Doron Spielman of the City of David Foundation discusses the implications of this event with Eylon Levy, highlighting the ongoing tensions between development and historical conservation in this contentious region.