History Meleke

stonemasons in jerusalem (old postcard).

used building material since ancient times, royal stone has been of great importance history of city of jerusalem. when first exposed air can soft enough cut knife, exposed air hardens make stone of considerable durability, useful building. hundreds of caverns, cisterns, tombs , aqueducts in jerusalem have been excavated stone. according long-standing legend, zedekiah s cave , large ancient meleke cave/quarry near damascus gate in jerusalem s old city, source of building material solomon s first temple. richard s. barnett writes ashlars in western wall , outer retaining wall of extended herodian temple platform apparently cut meleke quarries near bezetha.

the courtyard of tomb of helena of adiabene meleke stone quarry, , staircase once ramp upon blocks extracted hauled. of 4 types of limestone found in jerusalem region, 2 used in building during islamic period in palestine: meleke , mizzi, latter being harder stone, known palestinian marble .

the use of meleke popular among frankish stonemasons of crusader kingdom of jerusalem in palestine, quarried make fine, drafted building stones use in door , window features, among other architectural features. frankish markings distinctive diagonal tools used stonemasons can seen on meleke stones put secondary use in walls surrounding old city of jerusalem.