| Jerusalem |
| City of David |
| Conservation of the Shiloah Pool and preparing it for the public |
| Orderer | The Elad Association (the City of David) |
| Duration | May - September 2006 |
| Implemented by: |
Fuad Abu-Taa'
Aliza Van Zaiden
Tsagai Asma'in
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In recent years the Shiloah Pool, dating to the Second Temple period, is being exposed in the southern end of the City of David. The excavations are being conducted in the City of David National Park, under the direction of Eli Shukron of the Israel Antiquities Authority and Professor Ronny Reich of the University of Haifa, with funding provided by the Elad Association and under the auspices of the East Jerusalem Development Corporation.
Two phases of construction have been revealed in the stairs descending to the pool: the upper phase – stone pavement, and the lower phase – a layer of plaster. The antiquities discovered next to the stairs include an aqueduct from the time of the Second Temple; a small pool through which the aqueduct passes; a complex system of drainage channels; and a plaza from the time of the Second Temple period. The plaza is paved with large flagstones, similar to the pavement of the road that passes to the west, adjacent to the western wall of the Temple Mount.
No conservation measures have been undertaken since the excavation of the pool and the finds at the site are exposed to weathering. The aim of the project is to stabilize the pool’s stairs and prepare the site for visits by the public.A conservation plan was drawn up detailing the actions required at the site in accordance with the findings of a survey that was recently conducted there.
A conservation plan was drawn up detailing the actions required at the site in accordance with the findings of a survey that was recently conducted there.
The main measures that were conducted there are:
· Stabilization of the bedrock
· Stabilization of the walls
· Stone conservation
· Replacing missing stones in the stairs
· Pointing up the joints with bonding material
· Plaster conservation
· Stabilization of the water channel
· Stabilization of the excavation sections
· Preparation of a visitor’s path.
To view the figures, click on the figure caption
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