Northern section of the exterior east wall of קבר דוד on הר ציון ("Mt. Zion"). A cemetery abuts this east wall. (Photograph taken facing north-northwest.)

The lower levels of this northern section, and part of the northeast corner, are made of stones thought to be re-used from the Beit ha-Miqdâsh after its destruction in 70 C.E.

This site of the original N^әtzârim Beit ha-k^әnësët (see, for example, the article by Bargil Pixner, "Church of the Apostles Found on Mt. Zion," Biblical Archaeology Review, 90.05-06, XVI.3, p. 16ff) has been partially demolished and rebuilt several times. The earliest floor is thought to date from approximately 135 C.E. At least one archaeologist argues that these earliest sections date from circa 73 C.E., shortly after the destruction of the Beit ha-Miqdash.

The Torah niche, inside, reveals that the earliest sections are from either the pre-135 C.E. N^әtzârim – Jewish – Beit ha-k^әnësët under the first 15 p^әqidim, or possibly a post-135 C.E. gentile Christian Church built, initially Jewish-style, on the same site by the first gentile (& Christian) bishop in 135 C.E. Archaeologists aren't yet sure which is the case.