The Site Of Solomon's Temple Discovered.

were distant from the same base line of verification in the Temple Area in Solomon ' s day . KUMERICAL TEST OF THE MAIN DISCOVERY . When Herod enlarged the Temple Area by adding another cloister called the Court

of Gentiles , he could only make this addition to three of its sides ; for the west wall of the in closure came in contact with the Old Temple Area at the western side of the Court of Israel . There was no space between . This is one of the most

important points in Mr . Beswick ' s discovery ; and it is one which has never before been suspected—the Court cf Gentiles added to the Temple Area by Herod , had no western side whatever . It had only three sides , as stated by Josephus ( "Wars" v . 5 , 1 ) .

, The new court was 30 cubits = 44 * 3113 ft . in width ; therefore the northern and southern sides of the Temple Area were 30 cubits shorter than the eastern ancl western sides . At the north-western angle of the Area was a north-western cloister , which

united the Temple Area with the Antonia . Its length was 220 cubits = 324-949 ft . including the width of the Antonia . Now Josephus gives the entire length of these cloisters , ancl his estimate will enable us to test the correctness and value of Mr . Beswick's discovery . Josephus says :

" And the cloisters were 30 cubits wide ( the three cloisters forming the Court of Gentiles ); and the wlwle circuit of cloisters measured sin furlongs when the Antonia also is included . " " Wars , " v ., 5 , 2 . Mr . Beswick gives the following lengths of the sides of the outer cloister in Herod's day :

North 520 = 7 S 2 . S 3379 South 530 „ 782 . 83379 East 560 „ 827 . 14513 West 560 „ S 27 . M 513

2180 „ 3219 . 95753 Antonia Cloister 220 „ 32494987 6 furlongs 2400 „ 3544 . 90770 Therefore the whole circuit of the outer cloister measured six furlongs , or 2 , 400 cubitsas Josephus described it when

Jeru-, salem was destroyed by Titus . This is a very remarkable and severe test of Mr . Beswick ' s plan of the Temple Area , which las been based upon his discovery of the Temple site . Fo other plan yet presented

has ever stood this test , including those of Robinson , Fergusson , Williams , Porter , Lewin , Lightfoot , Kraft , Barclay , Tobler , Thrnpp , and lastly , Captain Warren . Of course , all these . estimates are based upon the fundamental discovery , that the Sakhra was the central core of the Temple

Area . Occupying a subordinate place in this discovery is the site of the fortress Antonia , and among the many proofs which Mr . Beswick cites is the following . At the south-east corner of the sitewhere he has

, placed the Antonia , the natural rock has been cut to the actual shape of a corner , as if to form the angle of some ancient building of the same size as the Antonia . This rocky angle has been hitherto overlooked by every other explorer . Its identification

and recognition spiring out of the fact that this was the only spot where the Antonia could have been , if Mr . Beswick ' s plan of the site ancl area of the Old Temple be correct ; and upon looking for the evidences of its existence upon this spot , the scarped

angle was found to occupy the site . It clearly belongs to a square of 124 * 0717 ft ., ancl leaves a space of 100 . 439 ft . on each side north ancl south , to make up the 344 .-9498 ft ., which was the length of the north west cloister .

Width of Antonia 124 , 0717 Northern end of cloister ... 100 . 4390 Southern „ 100 . 4390 324 . 9497 About 25 ft . are clearly visible todayforming the east and south sides of

, the angle . The east side is 124 . 0717 ft . from the line of . the west wall in the Haram , and the south side of the angle is 100-439 ft . from the ancient site of the

Temple north wall . The site of the An tonia is midway between the length of the north-west cloister , of which the Antonia formed a part , and by which it was joined to the Temple Courts . The identification of this site has been based upon direct and indirect proofs too numerous to mention .

Everything appears to fall into line and take the most suitable and natural position the moment Mr . Beswick's plan is placed upon a map of the Haram drawn to the same scale as his own . In this respect the Ordnance Survey map of the Haram , published by the English Palestine Ex