Uncovered Waterway, (Israel News photo: Assaf Peretz, IAA)

(Jerusalem, Israel)—Excavations conducted by the Israel Antiquities Authority inside the Old City of Jerusalem at Jaffa Gate have revealed a water canal, 44 yards long and 5 feet high. The discovery is a result of the recent uncovering of the "ancient precursor of today's Old City road leading from Jaffa Gate to Mt. Zion—precisely where an ancient and now-famous Mosaic map says it should be. Dr. Ofer Sion, on-site director, said, "During the course of the work, the wall of the waterway was revealed, and when we removed some of the large stones and

looked inside, we saw before us a perfectly-designed waterway, with a flat stone roof on top. People can walk inside it, bent-over, for a length of 40 meters."

"It is exciting to think that no human has set foot here for so many centuries," he added.

According to the report in Israel National News: "Originally, water was supplied to Jerusalem chiefly from the Gichon Spring. Just over 2,000 years ago, however, with the population of the city growing, a new source was sought. King Herod began work on large projects bringing water from the Hevron Mountains, using the power of gravity, to Solomon's Pools just south of the city. From there, two waterways channeled water to the city: The upper channel brought water to the King's palace, Hezekiah's Pool and other areas in the higher levels of the city, while water on the lower waterway went to the Holy Temple on the Temple Mount and the lower areas. The now-revealed section is part of the upper channel."

Source: Hillel Fendel - Israel National News