Kidron River - Tombs

Abstract

~Along the east bank of the Kidron Valley, at the foot of the western slope of the Mount of Olives, stand the monumental tombs from the Second Temple period: Absalom's Tomb, the Cave of Jehoshaphat which is located behind it, the Tomb of Bnei Hezir and the Tomb of Zechariah. To the south on the same slope, bordering with the Arab village of Silwan, are the remains of a First Temple Period tomb known as the 'Tomb of Pharaoh's Daughter'. Below the lowest row of village houses are the openings of other tombs of First Temple times. On the north side of the slope of the Mount of Olives are several Christian monuments, among which are the Church of Dominus Flevit and the Basilica of the Agony. Beyond the Ophel Road, is the southeast corner of the Temple Mount, rising to a height of some forty meters above its surroundings. Seen from left to right are the Tomb of Bnei Hezir and the Tomb of Zechariah.