Wednesday, May 12, 2010

A ghost aqueduct-bridge from the Second Temple era

A GHOST AQUEDUCT-BRIDGE from the Second Temple era (plus a real medieval one):
Regards from the Past: Ancient Water Bridge Found in Jerusalem

by Hillel Fendel (Arutz Sheva)

Part of the ancient aqueduct that brought water to the Temple Mount has been exposed near the Sultan’s Pool across from Mt. Zion. The Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) says it found a “spectacular arched bridge” that marked part of Jerusalem’s ancient water system while conducting archaeological rescue excavations prior to work on the city’s modern water system.

Two of the bridge’s original nine arches have now been excavated to their full height of about three meters.

In actuality, the newly-discovered bridge was built in 1320 C.E. by the sultan Nasser al-Din Muhammed Ibn Qalawun, as evidenced by its dedicatory inscription. 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.

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