The site of Nazareth Village contains numerous quarries, most of which remain un-excavated. Ceramic evidence from excavations suggests that they may have supplied first-century Nazareth with building material. Many of the quarries yielded blocks of consistent dimensions – 40 x 60cm – which we discovered to be ideal for interlocking door jambs in 60cm thick walls. Ideal conditions for quarrying develop when bedrock, consisting of limestone plates overlying softer layers of chalk, undergoes geologic deformation. This exposes underlying chalk to weathering, forming natural caves, channels, and exposing harder layers of stone for quarrying.
Quarry at Nazareth Village
Reconstructed house with nari blocks dimensioned after quarry
