A large reservoir discovered under the Old City was used by Temple pilgrims, dating back to the First Temple era, archaeologists said
A large rock-hewn water reservoir dating to the First Temple period was discovered in the archaeological excavations that are being conducted in the Jerusalem Archaeological Garden, at the foot of Robinson’s Arch near the Western Wall Plaza. According to archaeologists, the reservoir and a channel leading into it may be one mentioned in the Book of Joel.
The excavation, during the course of which the reservoir was discovered, is part of an archaeological project, in which the entire drainage channel of Jerusalem dating to the Second Temple period is being exposed.
The channel runs from the Shiloach (Siloam Pool) to a point beneath Robinson’s Arch. The route of the channel was fixed in the center of the main valley that extends from north to south over the length of the ancient city, parallel to the Temple Mount. In his description of Jerusalem during the Second Temple period, Josephus refers to the
