This is an article I wrote several years ago that explain the steps I take in researching any item within the Temple. This same process can be used for any topic, whether related to the Temple or not.
In the more than 1900 years since its destruction the trail of the Temple has dimmed for many reasons. There are so many obstacles to over come that it might seem impossible. There is neither a clear archaeological foot print to pinpoint the location of the buildings nor a complete Biblical or Rabbinical record that ascertains there position, size or even appearance. An analysis of the problem is the first step toward a solution.
The First Temple was built by Shlomo and added to over the years by the later kings until the layout of the buildings and courtyards that had been received by David was completed. Then in 586 B.C.E. the Temple was destroyed by the Babylonians. Har haBayit (the Temple Mount) was burned and left as a pile of rubble. Har haBayit is described as a 500 amot (cubit) square that in the First Temple period included not only the Temple and its courtyards with all of its side chambers but also the king’s palace, residential gardens and courtyards. When the men from the golah (dispersion) rebuilt the Temple they first had to clear this rubble and build in many cases from the ground up. The area that had been the palace of the king was never reconstructed as before but became an area for new structures or an open outer courtyard used for access to the inner courtyards. In the building of the Second Temple by Zerubbabel this entire area of the palace was erased from the Mount. The Hasmoneans and Herod repeated this practice of tearing down the earlier structures in order to build new buildings. In many instances the names of reconstructed buildings changed adding confusion to the history of a particular structure. With each reconstruction and expansion the record became more and more diminished. The Roman destruction in 70 C.E. was unprecedented in the sheer amount and scope of its upheaval, further adding to the problem.
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