Ancient Jerusalem Aqueduct Segment Uncovered During New Neighborhood Construction
Translated & summarized from Walla by baba
Archaeologists have uncovered a 300-meter section of a 2,000-year-old aqueduct in Jerusalem, south of Kibbutz Ramat Rachel, where a new neighborhood is being built. Believed to date back to the Hasmonean period, the aqueduct supplied water to the city via gravity and was used for centuries. The find reveals modifications made during the Ottoman period and will be integrated into the new neighborhood's entrance. The Israel Antiquities Authority plans to create a park allowing public access along the ancient water system.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- A 300-meter section of a 2,000-year-old aqueduct was discovered in Jerusalem during new neighborhood construction.
- The aqueduct, likely built by the Hasmoneans, supplied water to Jerusalem using gravity alone.
- The ancient water system was used intermittently for centuries, with modifications made during the Ottoman period.
- The discovered segment will be integrated into the new neighborhood's entrance and made accessible to the public.
- Plans are underway to create a park allowing public access along the aqueduct from southern Jerusalem to the Old City.
A 300-meter section of Jerusalem's Lower Aqueduct, an impressive engineering feat dating back approximately 2,000 years, has been rediscovered. The Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) unearthed the segment south of Kibbutz Ramat Rachel, in an area where the Israel Land Authority is developing a new neighborhood. The aqueduct, believed to have been constructed during the Hasmonean dynasty, was part of an ancient system that supplied water to Jerusalem from the Gush Etzion area and Solomon's Pools, reaching as far as the Temple Mount.
According to excavation directors Benjamin Storchan and Gil Fried, the aqueduct's design was so effective that it continued to be used intermittently for centuries, up until about 100 years ago. The original aqueduct stretched approximately 21 kilometers from Solomon's Pools south of Bethlehem to Jerusalem, utilizing a remarkably gentle gradient of about one meter per kilometer to transport water via gravity alone, without pumps.
The excavation revealed layers of modifications over time. Initially, water flowed through a plastered channel. Around 500 years ago, during the Ottoman period, a ceramic pipe was laid within the ancient channel. At this time, the exterior of the aqueduct wall was also plastered, and stones were pressed into the wet plaster, creating a unique, rough surface along certain stretches.
Dr. Amit Ram, Director of the Jerusalem region at the IAA, highlighted the aqueduct as an engineering marvel, noting that even with modern technology, constructing such a system would require significant planning and effort. The IAA is collaborating with the Jerusalem Municipality and other entities to create a continuous park that will allow the public to walk along the aqueduct from southern Jerusalem to the Old City.
The discovery was made in cooperation with the Israel Land Authority, with plans to integrate the exposed section into the main entrance of the new neighborhood, making it accessible for public viewing. Yehuda Eliyahu, Acting Director of the Israel Land Authority, stated that the find serves as a reminder of the ongoing legacy of construction and development in the city. The aqueduct segment will be presented this week at the 19th Conference on "Innovations in the Archaeology of Jerusalem and its Environs."
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