Visitors to Jerusalem can look forward to a new archaeological attraction: the Pool of Siloam, mentioned in the Bible, is to be fully excavated. Simultaneously, excavations are continuing on a roughly 2,000-year-old road that once led from the pool up to the Second Temple.
The Israel Antiquities Authority, the National Parks Authority, and the City of David Foundation have announced the complete excavation of the historic Pool of Siloam. Archaeologists discovered the site in 2004 in the southern part of the City of David, outside the Old City walls, and subsequently uncovered several levels. The new excavations will take several months. The site is expected to be open to the public in about a year, according to a statement released at the end of December.
The Pool of Siloam in the Bible
The pool was constructed during the reign of King Hezekiah approximately 2,700 years ago as part of Jerusalem's water system. The Bible states in 2 Kings 20:20: "The rest of the events of Hezekiah, and all his mighty deeds, and how he built the pool and the conduit by which he brought water into the city, are written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Judah."
The pool collected water from the Gihon Spring, which was channeled through an underground tunnel. Due to its location and importance, the Pool of Siloam was renovated and enlarged approximately 2,000 years ago. Archaeologists believe that during this period it served as a ritual bath for millions of pilgrims, who purified themselves there before ascending through the City of David to the Temple.
The pool appears in several places in the Bible. One such place is the healing of a blind man in John 9:7: “…and (Jesus) said to him, ‘Go to the Pool of Siloam (which means ‘Sent’) and wash.’ So he went and washed and came back seeing.”
As early as 1880, the so-called Siloam Inscription was discovered in the underground tunnel just a few dozen meters from the pond. Written in ancient Hebrew, the inscription is now housed in the Archaeological Museum of Istanbul, as the area was under Turkish rule at the time of its discovery. The inscription describes how the spring water was diverted into the pond during the reign of King Hezekiah.
The mayor of Jerusalem, Moshe Lion, welcomed the start of the extensive excavations. According to a statement from the Israeli Foreign Ministry, he said: “The Pool of Siloam in the City of David National Park in Jerusalem is a site of historical, national, and international significance. After many years of anticipation, we will soon be able to uncover this important site and make it accessible to the millions of visitors who come to Jerusalem every year.”
Following in the footsteps of our ancestors
According to the Israel Antiquities Authority, the entire site around the Pool of Siloam has been a magnet for archaeologists and scholars from around the world for more than 150 years. While the excavation of the entire pool began in early 2023, another excavation has been underway at full speed since 2004: the so-called Pilgrim's Way is being uncovered centimeter by centimeter. This former Roman thoroughfare led from the Pool of Siloam up to the Second Temple.
Only a small section is currently open to the public; the majority remains closed. However, as part of the "Christian Media Summit" organized by the Israeli Foreign Ministry, a group of approximately 150 Christian media professionals from around the world were permitted to visit the site in December.
Archaeologists believe the pilgrimage route was built around 30 to 31 AD, during the time of the Roman governor Pontius Pilate. Just 40 years later, it was buried during the destruction of Jerusalem. Over the centuries, the building and destruction of the city under various rulers resulted in the accumulation of new layers, ensuring the road's continued preservation.
The roughly 600-meter-long street was primarily used by Jewish pilgrims traveling to Jerusalem for the Temple sacrifices during the festivals of Sukkot, Passover, and Shavuot. After purifying themselves in the Pool of Siloam, they proceeded along this grand avenue up to the Temple. The street was lined on both sides with small shops and stalls. Merchants offered food, sacrificial animals, souvenirs from Jerusalem, clothing, and currency exchange.
High engineering
The road runs beneath the Jerusalem neighborhood of Silwan, which is now predominantly inhabited by Israeli Arabs. These underground excavations are made possible by sophisticated engineering. The tunnel is supported by a steel structure. Engineers supervise the archaeological work, proceeding with utmost care to avoid endangering the residential area above. The excavations are financed by the Israeli government and private donors.
