International Christian Embassy Jerusalem, 10 Sep 2007

While excavating on Sunday below First Century Jerusalem’s main road, Israeli archeologists unintentionally discovered an ancient drainage tunnel in the City of David that was used as a Jewish escape route during Rome’s destruction of Jerusalem 2000 years ago.

Professor Ronny Reich of the University of Haifa and Eli Shukron of the Israel Antiquities Authority are leading the dig and said that the ancient tunnel is under Jerusalem’s main road from the Second Temple era. Among the discoveries were pieces of pottery and ancient coins that helped the diggers understand the tunnel’s age.

The spectacular find demonstrates the city’s rulers cared for its residents through a unique drainage system, as well as how desperate Jews were to escape the Roman conquerors. "It was a place where people hid and fled to from burning, destroyed Jerusalem," Shukron said.

So far around 100 meters have been excavated and Reich believes that the tunnel extends from the north end of the Shiloah Pool all the way to the Temple Mount, extending about one kilometer.

Copyright © 2007 International Christian Embassy Jerusalem