Athena Review Image Archive ™
Jerusalem: Al Aqsa Porch, Pier 3 colonette, elbow bracket, and capital
Jerusalem: Al Aqsa, Pier 3 colonette, elbow bracket, and capital (photo: DAP 24-578 /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 24-578) of Pier 3 shows its corner colonette, elbow bracket, and capitals representing the original North Porch configuration. The photo was taken during 1938-1942 testing by the Palestine Department of Antiquities (DAP).
The
inner side of Pier 3 is viewed from the SE, showing a corner colonnette
with capital (d) at right, and an elbow bracket with capitals at left
(b,c). This area shows considerable wear, with part of the cornice
damaged.
While eroded, the simple acanthus leaf capitals retain enough detail to show a basic similarity to those in Piers 4, 5, 11, and 12, which jointly represent the original Crusader construction of the porch's central bays.
DAP photos, drawings, and R. W. Hamilton`s 1942 report are in the Archives at the Israeli Archaeology Authority (iaa-archives-org.il).
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