Wed 14 Oct 2009
Sifting & Searching for Ancient Treasures in the City of David
Posted by Shebet under Be A Tourist, Historical Sites, Just Plain Fun, Pre School, School Age, Teenagers
[3] Comments
The Temple Mount Sifting Operation in the City of David is one of Fun In Jerusalem’s favorite “FUN for the whole family” activities.
On a hot Friday morning during Succot 2009, I took my kids (ages 6 and 3) along with their cousins (ages 8-3) to the Emek Tzurim National Park for a great Sifting Activity. After a brief description of the location and instructions, the sifting began. The kids were given buckets of rubble to pour into their sifting nets. They were then given hoses of water to use to spray on the dirt to begin the sifting process. Experienced guides and archaeologists were on hand to teach us how to tell the difference between regular rocks and precious pieces of pottery and mosaic. (The green glass from a modern day beer bottle was quickly set aside in the junk pile.)
The kids were then able to sort the items they found which included ancient glass, mosaic stones, pieces of jewelry, pottery and even nails and pieces of weaponry. The rubble that is sifted comes from the Temple Mount and visitors are given the job to begin the sifting process. It is a win win situation for the archaeologists who are able to teach the visitors (adults and children) about ancient artifacts and to use the extra manpower to begin the sifting process. The entire activity takes 2 hours but you are able to leave earlier if you need to.
My 6 year old was definitly disappointed when he found out that he couldn’t keep the treasures that he found, but he was equally excited to receive a certificate that said that he played a key role in the Temple Mount Antiquities Salvage Operation. It was fun for the whole family and even my 3 year old enjoyed it, although I had to keep a close eye on him.
Visiting Tips
- Parking is at the top of the valley and there are over 200 steps to take to get to the work tent (my son counted them as he came down
) - The site is not stroller accessible.
- The work area is covered with a tarp but even on a hot day it felt cool in the tent
- Wear clothes that can get dusty and muddy.
- Drinks and Ice Cream are available for purchase
- There are port-a-potty toilets next to the work area.
- Tours are available in Hebrew and English
- Reservations are required
For hours and reservations please call the City of David Reservations at *6033.
Mount of Olives Archeological Experience
Emek Tzurim
Adult: 15 NIS
Student: 15 NIS
Senior Citizen/Child: 12 NIS
How To Get To The Emek Tzurim National Park…
By Car
Take Route 60 past the Old City towards French Hill. Make a right when you see the Hebrew University Sculpture. Drive straight and stay in the right lane. When you see a tunnel stay to the right and DO NOT enter the tunnel. Make a right at the Mormon University sign. Free parking is available on the street and enter the valley at the City of David sign. Look for the black tent at the bottom of the steps. (This path is not wheelchair or stroller accessible).
By Bus:
19, 28, 26, 23, 4, 30, 48
For other great City of David Activities for kids, teens and adults visit our City of David Post.
wow-that sounds great ! Although like your son, mine has expressed disappointment about not being able to take potential finds home!!
This is probably the best family activity we have done in several years. Good for a wide variety of ages, appreciation increases with the age of the participant. Not so good for toddlers, they just get in the way, mostly.
The site is completely accessible by car so that you can avoid the walk down from the Mormon Uni car park but requires driving through an arab village.
You drive past the turn off to the the Mormons until you get to a t-junction. You turn right and pass Augusta Victoria on your left. Turn right at the first road you can and keep going down the hill for quite a while until you come to the first traffic island in the road. At this point turn right, there is a brown sign there which reads Emek Zurim.
Where the road bends to the right you continue straight even though the road surface is less good. Within a few metres you will come to the guard tower and barrier which are at the entrance to the Ein Zurim sifting car park. There is plenty of free parking right by the sifting tent.
I have gone this way many times and never encountered any problem.
Helen Cohn
Licensed Tour Guide
+972 (0)54 308 1150