Israeli authorities recently announced the start of excavations at the site of the biblical Columbarium of Siloam in Jerusalem and the opening of the historic site to the public.
For the first time, the Israel Antiquities Authority, the National Parks Authority and the City of David Foundation have announced the start of excavation in the area of ​​the Jerusalem Walls National Park,
In their post on social media, the competent authorities also presented a video of a graphic representation of Siloam’s Kolymbethra.
Kolymvithra was first constructed about 2,700 years ago, as part of Jerusalem’s water supply system in the 8th century BC. by King Hezekiah and served as a reservoir for the waters of the Gihon spring, which were diverted through an underground tunnel.
About 2,000 years ago – at the end of the Second Temple period – Kolymbithra was renovated and expanded and began to be used as a ritual bath (“mikveh”) by millions of pilgrims, who gathered there before ascending through the City of David to the Temple.
The Pool of Siloam, located in the southern portion of the City of David and within the Jerusalem Walls National Park area, is an archaeological and historical site of national and international significance. https://t.co/M02SngF67B
— Ancient Pages (@AncientPages) January 2, 2023
In 1867, Charles Warren discovered an aqueduct that ran from Jon’s Spring into the hill, from where a well led up, to the City of David.
According to Wikipedia, the cleaning of the entire tunnel system took place during the years 1909-1911 and then a huge tunnel was discovered, with an average height of 1.8 meters and a length of 533 in solid rock.
The tunnel led from the Fountain of Sons to the Pool of Siloam and is believed to be the tunnel built by Hezekiah.
On the wall of this narrow tunnel was found an inscription in ancient Hebrew writing, which stated – among others – “when the tunnel was opened, the quarries dug (the rock), each man towards his partner, a pickaxe against the another; and the water poured out from the spring into the reservoir 1,200 cubits long, and the height of the rock above the heads of the quarries was 100 cubits.”
The ancient pool of Siloam, first mentioned in the biblical book of Kings II, will be fully excavated and opened to the public, the Israel Antiquities Authority announced Tuesday. https://t.co/mhmwRT0F62
— Old School Eddie (@Old_SchoolEddie) December 27, 2022
For the first time in modern history, the excavation by the Israel Antiquities Authority will allow the site to be fully exposed as part of an official archaeological dig.
In a first phase, visitors will be able to watch the archaeological excavations, and in the coming months the Pool of Siloam will open to tourists, as part of a route that starts at the southernmost point of the City of David and culminates in the footprints of the Western Wall .
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With a wealth of experience honed over 4+ years in journalism, I bring a seasoned voice to the world of news. Currently, I work as a freelance writer and editor, always seeking new opportunities to tell compelling stories in the field of world news.
