Arched Aqueduct Bridge Uncovered

August 1, 2010

The discovery came during work on the modern city’s sewage infrastructure. According to Yehiel Zelinger, excavation director on behalf of the IAA, “The bridge, which could still be seen at the end of the19th century…was covered over during the 20th century. We were thrilled when it suddenly reappeared in all its grandeur during the course of the archaeological excavations.”

Zelinger said, “The route of the Low Level Aqueduct from the time of the Second Temple, beginning at Solomon’s Pools near Bethlehem and ending at the Temple Mount, is well known to scholars…Two of the original nine arches that were in the bridge were currently excavated to their full height of about 3 meters [9.8 feet]. The bridge was built in 1320 CE [AD] by the sultan Nasser al-Din Muhammed Ibn Qalawun, as evidenced by the dedicatory inscription set in it; however, it was apparently constructed to replace an earlier bridge dating to the time of the Second Temple period that was part of the original aqueduct.”

IAA, in cooperation with the Nature and Parks Authority, will expose the entire length of the arched bridge, conserve it, and integrate it into the overall development of the Sultan’s Pool, underscoring the importance of the water supply to Jerusalem in ancient times.

Source: (From IAA press releases by Charleeda Sprinkle, Assistant Editor)