Overview
Two vaulted passages beneath Al-Qibli reveal a different level of the sanctuary. [1][2]
The space called Ancient Al-Aqsa lies beneath the southern congregational hall. Two long passages run north–south towards the Double Gate, showing how the enclosure and the prayer building occupy different levels. [1][2]
Awqaf associates the passages with Umayyad circulation and records their reopening for prayer in 1998. “Ancient” is the name of this lower space; it should not be used to date every stone or imply that this is the whole of the early sanctuary. [1]
