Al Quods’ Urban Construction
Earliest records of construction in the city of Al-Qods were located on ad-Duhur hills that overlooked Salwan Village on the south-east side of Al-Aqsa Mosque. Two possible reasons can be derived for choosing the site. First is that it provided security because it was easy to defend and second is its proximity to the Oumm Ad-Darj Spring at the eastern part of these hills. The site was later abandoned in favor of other construction sites particularly on the Hill of Bezena. Al-Qods was able to expand and acquire protection walls through the centuries.
Since the Bronze Age, it was protected from enemy attacks by its ramparts. Excavations in the area showed the existence of such walls. During the Roman era was when the city experienced considerable development. The most important expansion of the city began during the Arab-Islamic conquest.