Ancient reservoir discovered underneath Jerusalem's Western Wall

JERUSALEM, Sept. 6 (Xinhua) -- Israeli archaeologists discovered a 3000-year-old water reservoir beneath the Western Wall, which would help reveal how water was distributed during the First Temple era, local media reported on Thursday.

Archaeologists from the Israeli Antiquities Authority claim the cistern, which is huge in size, is the first one to be found so close to the Temple.

Researchers are convinced that the reservoir was used by pilgrims on their way to the Temple for drinking and bathing.

The cistern measures 12m x 5m x 4.5m and can hold 250 cubic meters of water, and is believed to be a significant find that will give insight into everyday life during the First Temple era, The Jerusalem Post reported.

"The exposure of the current reservoir, as well as smaller cisterns that were revealed along the Tyropoeon Valley, unequivocally indicates that Jerusalem's water consumption in the First Temple period was not solely based on the output of the Gihon Spring water-works," excavation director on behalf of the Israel Antiquities Authority, Eli Shukron, told the media on Thursday.

The find was discovered during the dig at the channels underneath the Western Wall, constructed during the Second Temple period. As archaeologists were digging, one of the channels gave in, revealing the cistern. Enditem

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