2,000-year-old aqueduct unearthed in Israel
An ancient aqueduct dating back 2,000 years ago was unearthed near Har Homa in in East Jerusalem city of Israel.
The discovered lower aqueduct was used in ancient times to transport water into the city of Jerusalem.
Key facts
- Constructed during the rule of kings in the Hasmonean dynasty (140 B.C. to 37 B.C). It was one of Jerusalem’s principal sources of water.
- It is 21 km long with starting point located at the En ‘Eitam spring, near Solomon’s Pools, south of Bethlehem.
- Water through it flowed down a gentle slope to Jerusalem, passing through the Israel’s modern-day cities of Umm Tuba, Sur Bahar, East Talpiot and Abu Tor.
- During the Ottoman period, around 500 years ago a terra cotta pipe was installed inside the channel in order to protect the water.
Apart from this, other sections of the extensive aqueduct were unearthed in the past in
- Armon Ha-Natziv tunnels located in the City of David.
- Around the Sultan’s Pool along the west side of Mount Zion in Jerusalem.
- On the Sherover promenade in southern Jerusalem.
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Month: Current Affairs - May, 2015