Bible Exploration
A Roman Period theater mentioned by Josephus, first century Jewish historian, but never found by archaeologists has been discovered under Wilson’s Arch Synagogue at the Western Wall. As we have taken tours of the Western Wall Tunnel each year we have seen the digging go deeper and deeper with the goal of reaching the 1st Temple Period level (Solomon’s Temple).
The area was damaged in a massive earthquake in 360 AD. Concerned that the arch would collapse, residents covered the area with dirt and debris, covering all remnants of the theater for over 1,650 years. The latest date on an excavated coin is 380 AD, meaning the theater was in use before that date.