In the course of excavations at the site of the Museum of Montefiore in Mishkenot-Shaananim specialists from the Ministry of Antiquities of Israel found Aqueduct

In the course of excavations at the site of the Museum of Montefiore in Mishkenot-Shaananim specialists from the Ministry of Antiquities of Israel found aqueduct that brought fresh water to the Temple Mount and serve as the main water supply for filling the Sultan Basin.

For the majority of tourists and local residents Pool Sultan - the site of the annual international fair of arts and crafts «Hutzot Hayotser» (Hutzot Hayotzer). However, for many centuries before this, the reservoir is one of the most important stores of water for the entire local region.

Dr. Ron Biri (Ron Beeri), head of excavations conducted by the Ministry of Antiquities of Israel: «We are faced with a unique and aqueducts, which was used to deliver water to a height of three meters. The first thing that Sultan Suleiman I did in Jerusalem (of course, in addition to the construction of the town come down to us in the guise of) - it is repaired the existing water supply system, which was used to deliver drinking water to pilgrims arriving in the city crowds. Suleiman attached to a small aqueduct towers in the center of which was a clay pipe. As part of its allocated water from the aqueduct into the pool directly to the sultan and Sabile (sabil) - public fountain with fresh water, which was specially built with his rule to the pilgrims, on the road to Hebron, and survived to the present day ».

It was found four different aqueducts built in the same place in different epochs: a Byzantine aqueduct VI - VII centuries, Mr.. e. and three Ottoman aqueduct built in the early XVI century. e., which are located around the large underground source.

Lower Aqueduct is one of two ancient water systems, which began at the Hebron hills and ponds of Solomon and ends in Jerusalem and the Temple Mount. Studies have shown that it was intended for the delivery of clean spring water to the Temple Mount, the inhabitants of Jerusalem and pilgrims arriving in town from generation to generation. After the suppression of the Great Uprising and the destruction of the temple channel serviced Tenth Legion, followed by Aeliyu Kapitolina (Aelia Capitolina) - Roman Jerusalem. Also, this water supply was used during the Christian Byzantine rule, and after a few years passed in the service of the Muslims, seized Jerusalem. «It was found that since the Second Temple until the end of the Byzantine period, the water run for an open channel, which is covered with stone tiles. Later, in the era of Ottoman rule, the water delivered to consumers through clay pipes that were installed directly in line with the old aqueduct », - told the doctor Biri.

Detail of the lower aqueduct would be one of the sights of the museum Montefiore, which will be built in the coming years, the Foundation of Jerusalem in the Sultan Basin area.

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