The Dung gate was located during the times of the first and second temples somewhere on the south side of the city, closer to the Kidron valley. The present gate, constructed by the Ottomans, is located near the southern wall, and is the main entrance to the western (wailing) wall.
The newly constructed Ethan and Marla Davidson Exhibition and Virtual Reconstruction Center is situated at the entrance to the Jerusalem Archaeological Park, one of the largest, most significant archaeological sites in the country. It is some 100 meters south of the Temple Mount complex, in the recently excavated and restored underground storage complex belonging to a seventh century CE Umayyad Palace.
One of the most important findings of the Southern wall excavations is the monumental flight of steps leading up to the second temple mount, through the Hulda gates. The staircase consists of 15 pairs of alternating broad and narrow steps. Although most of the steps were reconstructed, this is one of the remains of the southern entrance. Archaeologists believe there was a large plaza at the foot of the staircase to handle traffic of literally millions of pilgrims during the major festivals. One can imagine people, including families with children, joyfully climbing the stairs to the Gentile Court above and then to the Temple itself.
