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Tombs resembling the Triple Gate: In clear view of the Triple Gate, an elegant Herodian-style tomb complex may be the burial place of the family of Ananas high priest of the Temple. The tomb may have been carved to resemble the Triple Gate, through which priests entered and departed the Temple precincts. Many architectural elements of this tomb complex survive intact, giving us examples, perhaps even artistic duplicates, of the proportions and decorations of the Triple Gate.

The darkened doorway to a burial chamber pierces the back wall of the tomb’s anteroom. Projecting forward above the doorway, remains of the front wall of the anteroom display a seashell decoration. Originally a full semicircle, this seashell was carved above the central entrance of a now-destroyed triple gate to this tomb anteroom (see reconstruction drawing).