Athena Review Image Archive ™
Jerusalem: Al Aqsa Porch, Piers 2 and 10 imitation elbow brackets
Jerusalem: Al Aqsa, Piers 2 and 10 imitation elbow brackets (photo: DAP 24-574 /IAA)
The North Porch or Portico of Al Aqsa was first built by Templars during the Crusader period (AD 1099-1187). The Porch was expanded in the 13th-16th centuries under successive sultans, recorded by insciptions on the north facade.
This photo (DAP 24-574) of Piers 2 and 10 shows elbow bracket capitals installed in later alterations to the North Porch imitating the original Crusader style. The photo was taken during 1938-1942 testing by the Palestine Department of Antiquities (DAP)
The
North sides of these two piers (2 andf 10) located between outer bays W2 and W3 date from
post-Crusader construction. These bays lack the corner shafts and
capitals of the Central bay piers, but have elbow bracket capitals cut
in imitation of the original type in the central bays.
The capital of pier 10, at top, was cut from a hard material and is well preserved. That from pier 2, by contrast, is quite eroded, and may be considerably older, possibly dating from the 1217-18 additions..
DAP photos, drawings, and R. W. Hamilton`s 1942 report are in the Archives at the Israeli Archaeology Authority (iaa-archives-org.il).
Copyright © 1996-2019 Rust Family Foundation (All Rights Reserved).