Archaeologists in Israel have uncovered an enormous wall in Jerusalem that served as a foundational architectural feature within the biblical Pool of Siloam.
In the Gospel of John, chapter 9, Jesus instructs a person who was born blind to go and wash within the Pool of Siloam. The man does so and gains his sight.
The miracle was particularly significant because it became a notable flashpoint in Jesus’ relationship with the Pharisees, who launched an intensive investigation into the healing. That investigation led to the famous quote, utilized in the hymn Amazing Grace, “whereas I used to be blind, now I see”.
The pool, which is now positioned within the City of David National Park, was effectively the results of the constructing of the oldest dam in Israel. Experts have speculated that the dam could have been built to take care of a climate crisis 2,800 years ago.
One of the excavation directors on the positioning, Itamar Berko, said, “This is the most important dam ever discovered in Israel and the earliest one ever present in Jerusalem.
“Its dimensions are remarkable: about 12 meters high, over 8 meters wide, and the uncovered length reaches 21 meters – continuing beyond the bounds of the present excavation.”
He continued, “The dam was designed to gather waters from the Gihon Spring in addition to floodwaters flowing down the most important valley of ancient Jerusalem (the historical Tyropoeon Valley) to the Kidron Stream, providing a dual solution for each water shortages and flash floods.”
According to Berko, the dating of the wall as a late ninth century BC construct is unusually precise. Twigs and branches embedded in the development mortar provided helpful clues. Other data concerning the climate of the time was used to provide a more precise date for the wall’s construction.
The newly discovered wall connects an ancient water network that began with a big tower damming the Gihon Spring, moving on to a channel that led to the Pool of Siloam, which was supplemented by floodwaters blocked by the newly discovered dam.
Eli Escusido, Director of the Israel Antiquities Authority, said, “This is probably the most impressive and significant First Temple-period stays in Jerusalem, and has been preserved to a unprecedented degree. The revealed dam is awe-inspiring and opens latest avenues of research.
“The discovery of the dam and the Siloam Pool within the City of David is the results of perseverance, professionalism, and archaeological determination.
“In recent years, Jerusalem has been revealed greater than ever before, with all its periods, layers, and cultures – and lots of surprises still await us.”
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