Discovery of a second pool

Although traditionally the Pool of Siloam was thought to be the one at the end of Hezekiah’s tunnel, there has been no archaeological evidence to suggest that this pool was in existence at the time of Jesus.  In fact recent evidence now suggests that this pool dates from a later period: from the 3rd or 4th century AD. (5)

For a long time, scholars have believed that another ancient pool existed in an area near to the traditional site of the Pool of Siloam, but without excavation there was no way of investigating.  Then in the summer of 2004, work along a drainage pipe revealed a number of large stone steps. (6) Ongoing archaeological excavation has revealed a large trapezoidal pool, 70m long and between 40m and 60m wide. It was built with a series of alternating steps and landings on each of the three excavated sides, so that people could walk down into the water and immerse themselves. (7) Archaeological finds at the site suggest that this is the Pool of Siloam of Jesus’ day.  The pool collected water from the Gihon Spring that flowed through Hezekiah’s tunnel, so it was ‘living water’ and suitable for ritual purification before entering the Temple. (8,9)