Archaeologists in Israel are astonished by one of the rarest discoveries ever found in Israel. Dating back 2,000 years to the time of the Second Temple, archaeologists have uncovered an ancient chisel which they believe was used by builders of the Western Wall of the Second Temple.

Found just feet from the Temple Mount compound in the Old City of Jerusalem, the discovery was made under the Davidson Center Archaeological Park near Robinson’s Arch, located south of the Western Wall Plaza.

Head archaeologist Eli Shukrun told Arutz7 that the chisel is “a moving discovery.” He explained that the chisel was made of metal and is 15 centimeters (6 inches) long.

“For the first time, after 2,000 years, we have a tool of the builders of the Kotel [Western Wall],” Shukrun said.

The chisel was found nine months ago but the news of its discovery was only publicized recently.

Shukrun has been leading excavation digs in the City of David and the Temple Mount area for the last 19 years on behalf of the Israeli Antiquities Authority. The most recent dig was through tunnels that led from the City of David, under the walls of the Old City, and eventually ended at the Western Wall.

Shukrun believes that the chisel was accidentally dropped by a worker high up on the Western Wall. The chisel was found in what are believed to be drainage tunnels for the Temple Mount.

According to the IAA, the chisel is undergoing testing to confirm that it does indeed originate from the Second Temple period.

“The Antiquities Authority is waiting for the research results on the material as is done with the rest of the finds made in excavations. When solid and firmly based results are received, the Authority will address the matter,” an IAA statement read.

Shukrun, however, is certain of the authenticity of the find. “I have no doubt that this is connected to the time of the Kotel’s construction. We found it at the base of the Kotel, roughly six meters (20 feet) below the main street of Jerusalem at the time of the Second Temple,” Shukrun explained.

“The coins we found in that area and the ceramics point to the period of the building of the Kotel,” he added. “The chisel itself was found in a refuse quarry which was made for chiseling the Kotel stones.”