View of Silwan

View looking southeast at the lower portion of the Silwan neighborhood of Jerusalem from the City of David.

Just above the green grass (winter time!), but below the foundation of the houses, is a vertical rock scarp. On the right hand portion of the scarp 3 small square openings are visible. (Actually, just left of center there are three additional tomb openings on this scarp - they are best viewed using the "download" image)  These are openings to tombs, which date back to the Old Testament era (First Temple). They were first constructed in the 8th and 7th centuries B.C. Some of the tombs have been significantly modified by Roman quarrying and by being used for dwellings during later periods.