The written evidence that does survive consist of inscribed stones, mostly grave markers; a copy of the believed to have originated from a British scriptorium of the period; and finally, later copies of material ascribed to St.
In Jesus day when Solomons Portico stood atop this place, this corner may have been as much as 50 feet higher than it is today.
For many of these baths, such as those in the ritual bath buildings at the entrance to the Temple, this meant rainwater--water from heaven--a heavenly cleansing Jerusalem - Temple Mount Southern Wall Triple Gates Jerusalem - Temple Mount Southern Wall Triple Gates Jerusalem - Tomb of King David Jerusalem - Temple Mount Western Wall Tunnel Largest Stone 54 Tons Jerusalem - Temple Mount Western Wall, South Side, and Eastern Graves on Mount of Olives Jerusalem - Temple Mount Western Wall Robinson Arch Jerusalem - Temple Mount Western Wall near Southwest Corner with Roman Road pummelled by the Temple stones thrown down on top of it from the top of the Temple Mount Jerusalem - Temple Mount Western Wall near Southwest Corner Inscription on a Stone thrown down from the top of the Temple Mount - "To the place of trumpeting...," was discovered during B. It probably served to indicate where a priest would stand to blow the trumpet to begin and end the Sabbath.
Josephus explained the procedure: "And the last [tower] was erected above the roof of the Priest's Chambers, where it was the custom for one of the priests to stand and to give notice, by the sound of a trumpet, in the afternoon of the approach, and on the following evening of the close, of every seventh day, announcing to the people the respective hours for ceasing work and for resuming their labors" (War 4.582-83).
As with all traditional and folkloric material, these sources must be treated with caution; nevertheless, given the conservative nature of such traditions, much legitimate information may be gleaned from them.
Lastly, there is a growing body of archaeological and anthropological evidence which bear on the subject and which needs to be properly analyzed and interpreted freed from an anti-Brittonic bias.