Ancient Pools Near Jerusalem Set for Renovation
Published on by Water Network Research, Official research team of The Water Network in Government
Ancient pools that provided water to Jerusalem around the time of Jesus are to be restored under a $750,000 renovation funded by the United States, officials said.
Solomon's Pools, Source: Wikimedia Commons, Author: Kai Hendry
The three Solomon's Pools near Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank were built around the time of Jesus's birth and were key sources of water for the city, according to research from the Institute for Palestine Studies (IPS).
The first aqueduct which fed the pools from the south was probably built by Herod the Great between 37 and 4 BC, the study showed.
In the 2,000 years since, they have fallen into disrepair and only two of the three are full with water, with the oldest one in poor condition.
At least six people have drowned in the unmonitored pools since 1993, according to the IPS.
The US Consulate in Jerusalem has provided $750,000 for renovations and hopes to see the pools become part of a major tourism site in the West Bank, which Israel has occupied since 1967.
"This project is about more than just protecting history. It is about protecting the lives and livelihoods of the people living here today," US Consul General Donald Blome said.
Read full article: Phys.org
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