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2000-Year-Old Aqueduct Uncovered Near Jerusalem
M
Moneycontrol•18-10-2026, 17:37
2000-Year-Old Aqueduct Uncovered Near Jerusalem
- •Archaeologists uncovered a 300-metre section of the Lower Aqueduct near Kibbutz Ramat Rachel, south of Jerusalem.
- •The ancient structure transported water from Solomon's Pools near Bethlehem to the Temple Mount over a 21-kilometre route.
- •Dating back to the Hasmonean period, the gravity-fed system supplied water to Jerusalem for centuries until roughly a century ago.
- •A biblical scholar suggests that Jesus and his disciples likely used water from this supply system, though no direct proof exists.
- •The Israel Antiquities Authority led the excavation, and the uncovered section will be preserved for public viewing.
Key Questions Answered
Archaeologists uncovered a 300-metre section of the ancient Lower Aqueduct near Kibbutz Ramat Rachel, south of Jerusalem. This 2,000-year-old structure transported water from Solomon's Pools near Bethlehem to the city's Temple Mount.
The aqueduct dates back to the Hasmonean period, which began in the second century BC. It utilized a gradual gravity-fed slope to move water across difficult terrain and remained in intermittent use until roughly a century ago.
While a biblical scholar suggests that Jesus, his disciples, and early Christians likely used water from this supply system, there is no direct proof that Jesus personally drank from it.
