Tombs of the Kings of Judah?

Photo Comments

View looking north at two of the eight "tombs" that Raymond Weill excavated.  The two large dark holes are the largest and best preserved of the "tombs."  On the left is "T1" and on the right is "T2."

T2, on the right, has been heavily quarried.  Right now, the "tunnel" is 28 ft. long.  Note the long carved trench on the right side of the image.  It is estimated that originally it was 100 ft. longer—and that the "trench" was originally part of the "tunnel" until it was totally destroyed by quarrying.

First Kings 2:10 states "Then David rested with his father and was buried in the City of David."

These are some of the tombs that Weill, Shanks, and Zorn believe were the Tombs of the Kings of Judah!

See here for T1.

Raymond Weill excavated near the southern tip of the City of David (1913 to 1914).  This area of the City of David was subject to much quarrying after the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70 by the Romans.  Weill estimated that in some places 10 ft. of limestone had been quarried away!

The Bible says that the kings of Judah, from David to Ahaz (d. 732 BC) were buried in the City of David.  Some supposed that the unusual underground route of "Hezekiah's Tunnel" avoided passing under these "tombs."  This identification is questioned by many, but any firm alternatives are lacking.

Zorn, Jeffrey R. “Is T1 David's Tomb?” Biblical Archaeology Review 38, no. 6 (November/December, 2012): 44–52, 78.

Shanks, Hershel. “Is This King David's Tomb?” Biblical Archaeology Review 21, no. 1 (January/February, 1995): 62–67.