During excavations conducted south and southwest of the Temple Mount between 1968 and 1978, archaeologists uncovered an extensive Umayyad administrative and palatial complex. The buildings were constructed during the early eighth century, when Jerusalem was governed by the Umayyad Caliphate.

The complex included at least six large buildings arranged beside streets leading toward the Temple Mount. Its largest palace measured approximately 96 by 84 meters and contained a central paved courtyard surrounded by columns and rooms. The palace walls were covered with plaster bearing geometric and floral decoration, while some rooms had stone or mosaic floors.

See also:

Mazar, Eilat, The Complete Guide to the Temple Mount Excavations, Shoham Academic Research and Publication, Jerusalem, 2002.