Ancient Jerusalem aqueduct discovered after 2,000 years

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 16 Oct, 16:29 · Archive

Archaeologists have uncovered a 2,000-year-old aqueduct near Jerusalem that supplied water to the Second Temple.

The Israel Antiquities Authority announced the discovery of a 2,000-year-old aqueduct near Jerusalem on 11 October, following excavations ahead of a planned residential development. Archaeologists unearthed a roughly 984-foot section of the ancient waterway south of Kibbutz Ramat Rachel. The aqueduct once carried water from Solomon's Pools near Bethlehem to Jerusalem's Temple Mount, running approximately 13 miles with a very gentle gradient, dropping just one metre in elevation per kilometre.

The waterway relied on gravity to transport water to the Second Temple complex, the centre of Jewish religious life at the time, where it was used for ritual purification and cleaning up after sacrifices. The aqueduct was probably built during the Hasmonean period and remained in intermittent use until about a century ago, according to excavation directors Benyamin Storchan, Gil Freid and Rotem Cohen of the Israel Antiquities Authority.

A biblical scholar believes the aqueduct likely supplied water used by Jesus and his disciples. The Second Temple complex was the setting of the biblical account of Jesus cleansing the Temple. The aqueduct will be preserved and incorporated into the main entrance of the planned residential development, allowing visitors to see the ancient engineering firsthand.

How it is being reported

• Extraordinary discovery unveils piece of Jesus’ world lost for 2,000 yearsArchaeologists unearthed a roughly 984-foot section of the ancient waterway south of Kibbutz Ramat Rachel.New York Post · 16 Oct, 16:14
• Lost piece of Jesus' world emerges after 2,000 years in extraordinary discoveryThe Israel Antiquities Authority uncovered a 2,000-year-old aqueduct near Jerusalem that a biblical scholar believes has links to Jesus and early Christians.Fox News · 15 Oct, 13:00

In this story: Israel Antiquities Authority · Jerusalem · Jesus · Solomon's Pools · Bethlehem · Temple Mount · Kibbutz Ramat Rachel · Second Temple

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