When the Romans destroyed the Second Temple in 70 AD, they left behind more than ruins. Beneath the stones and ash lie countless artifacts from the Temple era. Coins minted during the Jewish revolts, seal impressions bearing ancient inscriptions,, and vessels used in Temple rituals are all examples of what has been found at the site. These physical remnants of biblical history remained buried for nearly two millennia, preserving a tangible connection to the faith of our ancestors.

The 1999 Excavation Crisis

In 1999, tragedy struck the archaeological world. During unauthorized construction to create an underground mosque entrance, the Islamic Waqf removed an estimated 400 truckloads of soil from the Temple Mount—approximately 9,000 tons of earth potentially containing these priceless historical artifacts. This irreplaceable material, spanning thousands of years of rich history, was unceremoniously dumped in the Kidron Valley, just outside Jerusalem's Old City walls like common debris. All these special artifacts were at risk of being lost.

The Temple Mount Sifting Project: Reclaiming the Past

Hope emerged in 2004 when archaeologists Dr. Gabriel Barkay and Zachi Dvira launched the Temple Mount Sifting Project. Determined to salvage what they could, they began the painstaking work of sifting through the dumped soil.

Over the years, thousands of volunteers (including the Blessed Buy Israel team!) have joined this extraordinary effort, carefully examining the earth bucket by bucket. Their dedication has yielded remarkable discoveries: ancient coins dating back to the First Temple period, arrowheads from various conquests, jewelry fragments, seal impressions, dice, game pieces, and architectural ornaments. Each tiny find adds another piece to the puzzle of understanding Jerusalem’s incredible history.

The project has recovered artifacts spanning 3,000 years—from the time of King Solomon to the Ottoman Empire—offering unprecedented insights into daily life on this sacred site.

“A Mission to Preserve History”

Temple Mount Soil Jewelry was founded in late 2024, when a team of experienced entrepreneurs learned that the Temple Mount Sifting Project was facing a critical funding crisis. After more than twenty years of excavating and cataloging Temple Mount artifacts, the sifting project faced potential shutdown due to funding shortfalls.

Driven by their passion for heritage preservation, the entrepreneurs presented Dr. Barkay and Dvira with an innovative proposal: establish a sustainable funding model that would enable global supporters to contribute to the project while gaining a meaningful link to the Temple Mount's history.

Temple Mount Soil Jewelry transforms this remarkable story into something you can wear and treasure. Each piece contains authentic soil from the Temple Mount, certified and encased in beautiful jewelry designs. These aren't mere accessories—they're tangible connections to one of the world's most significant religious and historical sites. 

The collection includes necklaces, pendants, and a refined and timeless gift set, featuring a numbered bottle of Temple Mount Soil all featuring the distinctive brownish-gray earth from this holy location. Each piece comes with a certificate of authenticity, ensuring that you're wearing genuine material from this sacred ground.

Why You Should Own This Connection

Temple Mount Soil Jewelry offers something truly unique: a physical link to biblical history. For believers, it's a way to carry a piece of the Holy Land close to your heart. For history enthusiasts, it's a conversation starter that connects ancient events to modern life. For supporters of archaeological preservation, purchasing these pieces helps fund the ongoing Temple Mount Sifting Project, ensuring that history continues to be recovered and protected.