Archaeologists working in the City of David have uncovered the largest dam ever found in ancient Israel, offering a striking glimpse into the engineering skill of the Kingdom of Judah nearly 3,000 years ago. The massive structure, excavated near the Siloam Pool, has been dated to the reign of King Joash or King Amaziah (circa 805–795 BCE). Experts believe the dam was constructed as a strategic response to a climate crisis that plagued the region, providing a solution for both drought and sudden floods.

The joint study, led by the Israel Antiquities Authority and the Weizmann Institute of Science, was recently published in the journal PNAS and will be formally presented at the upcoming “City of David Studies” conference in September. Excavation directors described the dam as “the largest and earliest ever discovered in Jerusalem,” measuring about 12 meters high, over 8 meters wide, and stretching at least 21 meters in length. Built to collect waters from the Gihon Spring as well as seasonal floodwaters, the dam represents a remarkable combination of water management and city defense, reflecting the ingenuity and resilience of Judah’s ancient builders.

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SOURCE: Israel 365 News