Starting from this as a definite point, I shall endeavour, not indeed to restore the sacred edifice in its minutest details, but to lay down on the existing area the position of the House itself, and the principal places in connection with it. Now the surface of the _Haram_, at the present time, is divided into three stages of different level. (1) The highest is the rock _es-Sakharah_; unquestionably the summit of Mount Moriah, which, doubtless, was left standing in a conspicuous position, as a perpetual memorial to posterity of the spot, where David offered the sacrifice, which God had so mercifully accepted. On this, then, I place _the altar of burnt offerings_. (2) The platform of the present mosque is to be regarded as the space levelled by Solomon to support _the House itself, with the Inner Court of the Priests, and the Great or Outer Court_, occupied by the people, during the performance of the sacred rites. (3) The lower plateau of the _Haram_ has been formed by the made ground constructed by Solomon; which was afterwards extended, especially at the time of Herod, to make a large and convenient space round the Temple; and was at that time called _the Court of the Gentiles_. Let us now proceed to examine in detail these three elevations, referring to the authorities whom I have already cited in my description of the Temples of Solomon and Herod[361]. I consider the _Sakharah_ to be the site of the altar of burnt-offerings, because it is very improbable that Solomon would have chosen any other position for it than that indicated by an Angel to the prophet Gad. Those who object are bound to explain why this rock alone was left in its natural rough state amid the splendour of the Temple. If it were not reserved for some purpose of the highest importance, it would never have been spared when everything around it was levelled. We shall now see that this site satisfies the requisite conditions. (1) _The altar was to be of unhewn stone, and not reached by steps._ Therefore the bronze altar of Solomon can have only been an ornamental casing for the rock. The shape of the _Sakharah_ is adapted for this purpose, and it has a regular slope on the south side leading up to the higher part; and, according to the Rabbinic traditions, this was the position of the inclined ascent. (2) _It was a square of twenty cubits._ The rock is large enough to admit of this and still leave room for the ascent. (3) There must have been _a capacious receptacle for its drainage_, as they burnt upon it the victims and their fat, and sprinkled the blood upon and around it. This was the cavern we have just visited, with the one below, which we shall presently describe. (4) _It occupied an elevated position_, as appears from both the Bible and the Rabbinic traditions; probably in order that the sacrifices might be seen by the people. The present site satisfies this condition. (5) There must have been _cisterns for water and