Day: September 10, 2013

Archaeologists have recovered two bundles buried in a ruined Byzantine public structure a mere 50 meters from the Temple Mount’s southern wall, not far from the disputed Al Aqsa mosque.

Inside was 36 gold coins, gold and silver jewellery and a distinctive gold religious medallion.

The 10cm medallion is etched with the Temple’s logo a menorah candelabrum as well as other religious iconography such as a shofar (ram’s horn) and a Torah scroll. Attached to a gold chain, its discoverers believe the medallion was an ornament attached to a Torah.

It was found buried in a small hole under the floor, along with a smaller golden medallion and several gold and silver clasps and pendants which are believed to have been attached to the same document.

The second bundle appeared to have been abandoned as its owners fled or to have been hidden higher in the structure with its contents strewn over the floor.

 

The 36 Byzantine gold coins have a date range from the middle of the fourth century AD through to the early seventh century. Other items of treasure included large gold earrings, a gold-plated hexagonal prism and a silver ingot.

The discovery was made by Hebrew University of Jerusalem archaeologist Dr Eilat Mazar who is responsible for the controversial excavations at the Ophel site adjoining Muslim sectors of the Temple Mount along its southern wall.

Dr Mazar said he believes the gold was abandoned during a Persian conquest of Jerusalem in 614AD.

She has called the find “a breathtaking, once-in-a-lifetime discovery.”

“We have been making significant finds from the First Temple Period in this area, a much earlier time in Jerusalem’s history, so discovering a golden seven-branched Menorah from the seventh century AD at the foot of the Temple Mount was a complete surprise.”

The expedition, funded by investors from New York, made headlines earlier this year when it claimed to have found an ancient Canaanite inscription, possibly the oldest piece of writing so far found in the city.

The outer wheel of the 55-storey High Roller ride is scheduled to be hoisted into place today. The gargantuan project is now visible from all over the city, including the airport. Early next year, it will be outfitted with 1500 LED lights, and start its slow spin.

“It’s going to be an icon,” Project Director David Codiga said. “It’s going to be a part of your visit to Las Vegas if you ride it or not. It’s more or less impossible not to see it if you come here.”

Caesars Entertainment Corp., which owns more casinos than any other US gambling company, is building the ride as part of its $550 million Linq development, a new outdoor plaza across the street from Caesars Palace.

The walking mall, sandwiched between the Flamingo and Harrah’s hotel-casino, is expected to open this winter. It’s designed to lure gen Xers and millennials, demographics Caesars believes will contribute a majority of Sin City tourist dollars by 2015.

City after city has jumped to put a new spin on the classic carnival attraction over the past decade.

The High Roller will be 30 metres taller than the London Eye, which opened in 2000, nine metres taller than China’s Star of Nanchang, which opened in 2006, and 2.7m taller than the Singapore Flyer, which opened in 2008.

These giant urban Ferris wheels typically transport riders in large, fixed capsules instead of the smaller, teetering baskets most people remember from childhood.

High Roller riders will have to take a break from gambling and smoking when they enter one of the 28 glass capsules attached to the gargantuan wheel, Codiga said, but they will be able to take in the marquee-lit panoramic views with a drink in hand.

The wheel, which has been under construction since 2011, is taller than the Bellagio hotel-casino but still dwarfed by the Stratosphere observation tower, which rises more than 305m. It will carry 1.6 million kilograms of steel – the equivalent of about 200 Hummers- and will take 30 minutes to make one revolution.

And, because this is Las Vegas where overstimulation is the sales pitch, it will feature audiovisual shows in each 40-person pod designed to complement the views.

Codiga, who previously worked for the theme park company Universal Studios, said he doesn’t want visitors to get bored as the ride ascends and descends.

Tickets will be comparable to the London ride, which costs about $30, according to Caesars spokeswoman Christina Karas. She declined to say to how much it cost to build the ride.

The High Roller is not the only big wheel jostling for a place among the volcanoes and dancing fountains of the tourist corridor.

A rival company is building SkyVue, a 500-foot observation wheel across from Mandalay Bay at the southern end of the Strip that will feature video screens broadcasting ads. That project is expected to open in mid-2015, according to developer David Gaffin.

Last spring, a group of developers revealed plans for a third wheel – the London Thrill – near the CityCenter complex in the middle of the Strip.

The High Roller will also likely have to surrender its tallest in the world title before long. Another monster wheel is looming in New York City, where Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced plans last year for a ride on Staten Island’s waterfront.

Other wheels may grow taller, Codiga said, “but the High Roller will allow you to float over Las Vegas.”