Touring Israel's ancient water systems

Tsvika Tsuk ESHKOL

MEI KEDEM 17.10.12 Masada National Park Ancient water systems and installations “To each of the dwelling-places, both on the summit and around the palace, as well as in front of the wall, he (Herod the great) had cut in the rock a number of capacious cisterns, as reservoirs of water; thus securing a supply as ample as is derived from fountains”. (The Jewish War by Josephus Flavius book 7, chap. viii, 3).

8 8 layers of gray plaster in reservoir no. 1

The reservoirs of Masada Ritual baths (Miqvaot) at Masada 17.10.12 Jerusalem –City of David The descent to Warren’s Shaft Warren’s Shaft: top and bottom The dry Tunnel 2 and the wet Shiloah Tunnel Walking in the Shiloah Tunnel toward the Shiloah pool The second temple period drainage tunnel 18.10.12 Tel Gezer Water System

18.10.12 Ramla Aqueduct Ramla ‐ The pool of the arches 18 or 19/10.12 Eshkol Site 18 or 19.10.12 Acre Aqueduct Mizra Aqueduct –the day after it was destroyed during a storm, winter 1946. Photo: Andreas Meir Mizra Aqueduct, south of Nahariya, built in 1817 by Suleiman Pasha, in order to bring water from the Cabri springs to Acre. Photo: Andreas Meir From arches to inverted siphon El‐Imam Tower (no. 2) El Awaj tower (no. 1) and the inverted siphon crossing the city moat The Hospitallers dining room ‐ refectorium 19.10.12 Sepphoris National Park The 6 shafts tunnel and the Nile mosaic floor 19.10.12 Megiddo National Park Aerial photo of Tel Megiddo and the old secret passage to the water system The big shaft of the water system 20.10.12 Mei Kedem Mei Kedem Caesarea Aqueduct –Roman inscriptions Caesarea Aqueduct –Roman inscriptions 20.10.12 Nahal Ha’Taninim Dam Oleson Channel Reconstruction the Dam with a small lake 20.10.12 Caesarea National Park End of the show. Thank you!