Ancient Judean cistern fills for just 3rd time since 1992

Nature and Parks Authority says ancient cistern dated to the 7th century BCE and was likely used as a hidden path to allow water to the city of Megiddo during war-time
Ynet|
The heavy rains that fell in the past week flooded the ancient cistern in the Tel Megiddo National Park, which filled up for only the third time in the last 32 years.
<< Follow Ynetnews on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | TikTok >>
More stories:
The cistern, located inside a tunnel dated to the 9th century BCE, filled up to a depth of over a meter of water. Additionally, the water flooded the pathway to the well itself, which usually serves hikers for crossings into other parts of the park.
3 View gallery
התמלא בפעם השלישית ב-32 שנה.  בור המים העתיק בגן הלאומי תל מגידו
התמלא בפעם השלישית ב-32 שנה.  בור המים העתיק בגן הלאומי תל מגידו
The flooded cistern
(Photo: Rachel Edri, Nature and Parks Authority)
The tunnel itself is estimated to date back to the time of the biblical King Ahab and served as a hidden passage to allow a supply of water to the city of Megiddo during times of war.
According to Nature and Parks Authority officials, the last time the cistern filled up was in February 2021.
3 View gallery
עובדי רשות הטבע והגנים בבור המים העתיק
עובדי רשות הטבע והגנים בבור המים העתיק
Nature and Parks authority workers at the site
(Photo: Rachel Edri, Nature and Parks Authority)
3 View gallery
מלא במים.  בור המים העתיק בגן הלאומי תל מגידו
מלא במים.  בור המים העתיק בגן הלאומי תל מגידו
Flooded path at the Tel Megiddo National Park,
(Photo: Rachel Edri, Nature and Parks Authority)
Lucy Yosef, the manager of Megiddo National Park at the Nature and Parks Authority, said: "The cistern is located in a tunnel on the western outskirts of the valley, known as the 'Ancient Waterworks.' To reach the waterworks, one must descend 183 vertical steps, about 60 meters in depth, to the source of the spring water. The location is considered to be an advanced engineering feat for its technological sophistication during the period in which it was built."
Comments
The commenter agrees to the privacy policy of Ynet News and agrees not to submit comments that violate the terms of use, including incitement, libel and expressions that exceed the accepted norms of freedom of speech.
""