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The Foundation Stone was a platform in the [[Holy of Holies]] that rose "three fingers" above the Temple floor. It was the resting place of the [[Ark of the Covenant]], which was lost at the time of the [[Babylonian exile]]. One difficulty with the central location theory is that the rock housed under the Dome was 58 by 51 feet. This is much larger than the Holy of Holies, which was only 20 by 20 cubits, or 30 by 30 feet.<ref>Blidstein, Gerald Y., "[https://www.encyclopedia.com/religion/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/even-shetiyyah Even Shetiyyah]," ''Encyclopedia Judaica'', 1996.</ref>

The Foundation Stone was a platform in the [[Holy of Holies]] that rose "three fingers" above the Temple floor. It was the resting place of the [[Ark of the Covenant]], which was lost at the time of the [[Babylonian exile]]. One difficulty with the central location theory is that the rock housed under the Dome was 58 by 51 feet. This is much larger than the Holy of Holies, which was only 20 by 20 cubits, or 30 by 30 feet.<ref>Blidstein, Gerald Y., "[https://www.encyclopedia.com/religion/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/even-shetiyyah Even Shetiyyah]," ''Encyclopedia Judaica'', 1996.</ref>

'''Northern location.''' According to the "northern location" theory of Dr. Asher Kaufman, the Temple was north of the Dome, with the Holy of Holies located at what is now the Shrine of the Spirits.<ref>Kaufman, Asher Selig, "[https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/reviews/the-temple-mount/ The Temple Mount: Where Is the Holy of Holies?]" ''Bible History Daily,'' January 11, 2012.</ref>

'''Northern location.''' According to the "northern location" theory of Dr. Asher Kaufman, the Temple was north of the Dome, with the Holy of Holies located at what is now the Shrine of the Spirits. A review in ''Biblical Archaeology'' complained that Kaufman's "reconstruction of the Inner and Outer Courts of the Temple [are] geographically and physically untenable."<ref>Schwartz, Joshua, "[https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/reviews/the-temple-mount/ The Temple Mount: Where Is the Holy of Holies?]," ''Bible History Daily,'' January 11, 2012.</ref>

'''Southern location.''' Tuvia Sagiv has proposed a "southern location" theory that places the Holy of Holies at the site of Al Kas fountain, south of the Dome. Tuvia suggests that Hadrian's Jerusalem temple followed the plan another temple built by Hadrian in Baalbek, Lebanon. The Dome corresponds to the hexagonal forecourt of the classical temple.<ref>''[http://templemount.org/ The Temple Mount in Jerusalem]''</ref>

'''Southern location.''' Tuvia Sagiv has proposed a "southern location" theory that places the Holy of Holies at the site of Al Kas fountain, south of the Dome. Tuvia suggests that Hadrian's Jerusalem temple followed the plan another temple built by Hadrian in Baalbek, Lebanon. The Dome corresponds to the hexagonal forecourt of the classical temple.<ref>''[http://templemount.org/ The Temple Mount in Jerusalem]''</ref>

Unlike the forecourt in Baalbek, the Dome in Jerusalem is an octogon. The Byzantine Church of Mary's Rock in Jerusalem has been suggested as an inspiration for this unusual shape.

Unlike the forecourt in Baalbek, the Dome in Jerusalem is an octogon. The Byzantine Church of Mary's Rock in Jerusalem has been suggested as an inspiration for this unusual shape.

The above positions are all tied to political views at least as much as they are to archaeology. The central location theory upholds rabbinic orthodoxy. Kaufman and Sagiv both want to rebuild the Temple and have selected locations where this might be possible.

Several of the location options are tied to political views. The central location theory upholds rabbinic orthodoxy. Kaufman and Sagiv both want to rebuild the Temple and have selected locations where this might be possible.

Norma Robertson has suggested a location next to [[al-Aqsa Mosque]]. However, this option has received far less mainstream attention.<ref name="notlocated">"[https://www.bible.ca/archeology/bible-archeology-jerusalem-temple-mount-dome-of-rock.htm The Temple in Jerusalem was not located over the Dome of the Rock]"</ref>

Norma Roberstson has suggested a location even further south, next to [[al-Aqsa Mosque]]. However, this option has received far less mainstream attention.<ref>Roberstson, Norma, "[http://templemountlocation.com/ Location of Herod and Solomon Temples on the Temple Mount Jerusalem]."</ref>

== History ==

== History ==

After the Romans destroyed the Second Temple in AD 70, Jerusalem was rebuilt as a Roman city called Aelia Capitolina. Emperor [[Hadrian]] added about 50 feet of Earth to the Temple Mount and built a temple to Jupiter on the site in 135. In 325, Emperor Constantine tore down this temple.<ref name="notlocated"/>

After the Romans destroyed the Second Temple in AD 70, Jerusalem was rebuilt as a Roman city called Aelia Capitolina. Emperor [[Hadrian]] added about 50 feet of Earth to the Temple Mount and built a temple to Jupiter on the site in 135. In 325, Emperor Constantine tore down this temple.<ref name="notlocated">"[https://www.bible.ca/archeology/bible-archeology-jerusalem-temple-mount-dome-of-rock.htm The Temple in Jerusalem was not located over the Dome of the Rock]"</ref>

The Bordeaux pilgrim visited the site in 333.{{cquote|There are two status of Hadrian; not far from the statues is a pierced stone to the Jews comes every year and they anoint it and they lament with a groan and they tear their garments and then they withdraw.<ref>[http://andrewjacobs.org/translations/bordeaux.html The Bordeaux Pilgrim (c. 333 C.E.)].

The Bordeaux pilgrim visited the site in 333.{{cquote|There are two status of Hadrian; not far from the statues is a pierced stone to the Jews comes every year and they anoint it and they lament with a groan and they tear their garments and then they withdraw.<ref>[http://andrewjacobs.org/translations/bordeaux.html The Bordeaux Pilgrim (c. 333 C.E.)].