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3,000-year-old Water Tunnel Uncovered

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Archaeologists in Jerusalem have uncovered a three millennia-old water tunnel.

The water tunnel, discovered during excavations at the City of David, is believed to be the “tsinnor,” or pipe, mentioned in the Old Testament account of King David’s conquest of Jerusalem approximately 3,000 years ago.

Composed of stones and bedrock, the tunnel was found under a large stone structure.

The discovery also included entire oil lamps believed to indicate the tunnel’s last use as a hidden escape passage. They are characteristic of the end of the First Temple period.

The excavations were conducted for the fourth year by Dr. Eilat Mazar on behalf of the Shalem Center and the IR David Foundation, and are under the academic auspices of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem’s Institute of Archaeology.

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