1
Literal Translation / Primary Inscription
Epigraphic RecordThe inscription reads: 'L'beit ha-tekiah l'ha[khriz...]' (To the place of trumpeting to [declare / usher in...]). The edge is damaged where the final word ended.
Trumpeting Place Inscription
Herodian Hebrew cornerstone from the southwest pinnacle of the Temple Mount for Sabbath trumpet announcements
Direct Archaeological Attestation 96%
c. 20 BC – 70 AD
Discovery Excavation: Base of southwest corner of Temple Mount, Jerusalem (Benjamin Mazar, 1968)
Current Museum / Accession: Israel Museum, Jerusalem (IAA 1978-1437)
A large ashlar stone thrown down from the southwest parapet of the Temple Mount during the Roman destruction of 70 AD, bearing a Hebrew inscription demarcating the priest's station for blowing the silver trumpets.
Archival Museum & Excavation Photography
The Israel Museum, Jerusalem
Corroboration Distribution for Connected Passages (44 records)
88% Confidence
44 sources
40.91%
31.82%
18.18%
Direct Archaeology 18 (40.91%)
Ancient Historians 14 (31.82%)
Dead Sea Scrolls & Manuscripts 8 (18.18%)
Scholarly Consensus 1 (2.27%)
Debated & Traditional 3 (6.82%)
Claim-by-Claim Epistemic Verification Breakdown
Rigorous 4-part empirical analysis separating ancient text from bias and consensus
2
Biblical Corroboration & Cross-References
Scriptural HarmonyCorroborates Josephus (*Jewish War* 4.582), who describes the tower at the roof of the temple chambers where a priest stood to announce the commencement and close of each Sabbath with trumpet blasts (`NUM.10:2, 10`).
Corroborated Passages:
3
Scholarly Debate, Historiography & Modern Consensus
Critical NuanceScholars debate whether the damaged final word should be restored as 'le-hakhriz' (to announce the Sabbath) or 'le-havdil' (to distinguish between the holy and the profane).
4
Ancient Author Bias, Royal Propaganda & Perspective
Ideological ContextDirect architectural cornerstone marking a ritual priestly station; authentic physical relic of the 70 AD Roman destruction.
Corroborated Scripture Passages
Attested Figures & Kings
Excavations & Ancient Geography
Scholarly Editions & Critical Publications
- Mazar, B. (1975). The Mountain of the Lord. Doubleday.
- Reich, R. (2011). Excavating the City of David.