Archaeologists have uncovered a 3,000-year-old water tunnel during excavations at the City of David in Jerusalem. Some archaeologists believe this to be the "tsinnor" mentioned in the Old Testament's account of King David's conquest of Jerusalem, approximately 3,000 years ago.
The tunnel, composed of stones and bedrock, was discovered under a large stone structure earlier this year. The find also included complete oil lamps that are characteristic of the end of the First Temple period, and may indicate the tunnel's last use as a hidden escape passage.
"The discovery of the tunnel in the City of David will add some additional excitement to an already extraordinary year for archaeological discoveries in Israel," says Arie Sommer, commissioner of tourism, North and South America. "And with Israel celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, travelers will have even more reason to visit these historic artifacts in Jerusalem."
The excavations were conducted for the fourth year by Dr. Eilat Mazar on behalf of the Shalem Center and the IR David Foundation and under the academic auspice of the Institute of Archaeology of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
For more details of the excavations, visit www.cityofdavid.org.il, and for more information on travel to Israel, visit www.goisrael.com.