During Israel Antiquities Authority excavations at Ir David located inside the Walls around Jerusalem National Park, an impressive and spacious edifice that dates to the end of the Bayis Sheni period was exposed underneath the parking facility known as the “Givati Car Par.”

In the Antiquities Authority excavations which are being carried out with the Nature and Parks Authority and the Ir David Foundation, an impressive architectural complex has been partially uncovered that includes massive foundations, walls – some of which are preserved to a height in excess of five meters and made of stones that weigh hundreds of kilograms, halls that are preserved to a height of at least two stories, a basement level that was covered with vaults, remains of polychrome frescoes, water installations and Mikvaos.

Evidence of the drama which transpired within it prior to its destruction by the Romans in the year 70 CE can be seen in the narrow openings that were discovered in the basement level through which its inhabitants attempted to flee. Much of the structure was intentionally demolished at that time: the stones from the walls and the ceilings of the upper stories were discovered mixed inside the destruction layer that accumulated on the floor of the basement. Among the finds recovered are pottery vessels, stone vessels and coins that date to the end of the Bayis Sheni period.