2,000 Year Old Aqueduct Uncovered in Jerusalem

You never know what you’ll find when digging in Israel.  In a country where history runs so deep, you don’t need to be an archeologist to find something interesting.  The Gihon Corporation was recently doing work on the modern sewage infrastructure of Jerusalem where they discovered a spectacular arched bridge.  The structure turned out to be an aqueduct that brought water to the Temple Mount 2,000 years ago.  Upon realizing the importance of the ancient aqueduct, the company turned the site over to the Israel Antiquities Authority for a professional excavation.

According to Yehiel Zelinger, the excavation director of the site on behalf of the Israel Antiquities Authority, the bridge could still be seen in photos from the late 1800s, but gradually during the 1900s it was covered.  He explained, “We were thrilled when it suddenly reappeared in all its grandeur.”

The aqueduct dates back to the time of the Second Temple when it began near Bethlehem and ended at the Temple Mount.  Its existence has been well known to scholars for many years.

The Israel Antiquities Authority and the Nature and Parks Authority are working together with funding from the Gihon Corporation to expose the entire structure and to conserve it as a historic site that demonstrates the importance of water supply to Ancient Jerusalem.

Can you dig it?

Ynet has more information on the excavation.\

Photo provided by Flickr. Used under Creative Commons License.

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