Burnt House, Jerusalem

This house belonged to the priestly Kathros family at the time of the Second Temple. The excavated basement apparently contained a laboratory for making incense for the Temple rites. Among the finds were stone vessels, a coin mold, spearheads, and a woman's arm bone. The wealthy Herodian quarter was burnt by the Romans in August, 70 C.E. The family may have hid in the drainage canal visible to visitors, but were smoked out and killed. This is an eerily appropriate place to visit during August, when Jews commemorate the destruction of the Temple. Purchase tickets at the nearby Wohl Museum on 1, HaKara'im Street.

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