The discovery of the canal arouses great excitement among researchers and history buffs alike. This is an important physical evidence which contributes a lot to a deeper understanding of how Jerusalem was constructed in the ancient times. The length of the canal is 70 meters, its depth is 9 meters, and its width is 30 meters. Quarrying it without advanced mechanical equipment is an impressive technological achievement, and testifies to the impressive engineering abilities of the residents of Jerusalem in the ancient times.
The discovery took place in the City of David National Park. Archaeological findings discovered at the site, including pottery and other objects, suggested that this canal existed and was used in time of King Josiah. Although it was created at an earlier time, perhaps even 1,000 years before Josiah, in order to create a defense along the northern border of ancient Jerusalem.
The discovery of the fortification canal is expected to arouse great interest among researchers and the general public alike. It is possible that it will lead to further archaeological research in the area, and will help discover more fascinating findings from the period of the kings in Israel. It is also possible that it will be open to tourists, and will allow visitors to experience up close even more of the glorious history of Jerusalem.
The meaning of the discovery
Dr. Yiftah Shalev, director of the excavation on behalf of the Antiquities Authority, said that “the date of excavation of the moat is unknown. Such significant construction and construction works in Jerusalem are usually dated to the Middle Bronze Age – about 3,800 years ago (the beginning of the 2nd millennium BC). If the moat was dug during this period, then it was intended to protect the city from the north – the only weak point of the City of David extension. We do know with confidence that it was used during the First Temple period and the Kingdom of Judah (ninth century BC), so it created a clear buffer between the residential city to the south, and the upper city to the north.”
Prof. Yuval Gadot, director of the excavation on behalf of Tel Aviv University, said enthusiastically “Following the dramatic discovery, we returned to the past excavations of the British archaeologist Kathleen Kenyon, who excavated in the City of David in the 1960s, in an area slightly east of the Givati parking lot today. It turned out to us Kenyon noticed that the natural rock sloped towards the north, where she thought it was a natural valley, but now it turned out that she had uncovered the continuation of the moat, which was cut to the west. At least 70 meters across, from west to east.” He further adds that “this is a dramatic discovery that opens up a renewed discussion of terms from the Bible that refer to the topography of Jerusalem, such as the Ophel (meaning fortified hill or ascent)and Millo (meaning landfil or ramparts).”
