Mikve from era of Second Temple excavated in J'lem
The Israel Antiquities Authority, in
preparation for the construction of a new road in Jerusalem's Kiryat Menachem
neighborhood, has discovered an ancient mikve (ritual bath) from the era of the
Second Temple.
Binyamin Storchen, who headed the
excavation, said that many mikves have been discovered in recent years, but the
water running through this particular ritual bath is "unique and
unusual."
According to Jerusalem's district
archaeologist, Amit Ram, the Kiryat Menachem community has expressed a keen
interest in preserving the pool.
The recently excavated mikve has an
intricate structure, including an irrigation system involving complex canals
leading into the bath. Significantly more sophisticated than most modern
mikves, which were built much simpler, and drained water from a small nearby
man-made pool into a small enclosed space.
Due to the drought during the period of the
Second Temple, when this mikve is believed to have been built, the special
drainage techniques were implemented to ensure the use of every last drop of
water.
After use of the mikve was discontinued,
the water canals were filled with dirt and the site was used as a rock quarry.
Later, in the 20th century, a circular opening was carved into the ceiling, and
the ancient mikve served as a cistern.
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