Archaeological Excavation Update at the Pool of Siloam, Jerusalem - Late January 2025 (Zahi Shaked)

Information about the Pool of Siloam, Jerusalem Israel itself will be provided after this announcement.
Unfortunately, I have not been able to work as a tour guide because of the war.
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Zahi Shaked
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The Pool of Siloam refers to several rock-cut pools located southeast of the Old City of Jerusalem, historically significant for their connection to the Gihon Spring. The Lower Pool, or "Old Pool," is sometimes called Birket el-ḥamra ("the Red Pool") in Palestinian Arabic.
History: During the Second Temple period, the Pool of Siloam was situated in Jerusalem's Acra suburb, also known as the Lower City, at the lowest altitude within the city’s historical boundaries. At 625 meters (2,051 feet) above sea level, it had a 115-meter (377-foot) ascent to the Temple Mount, located at an elevation of 740 meters (2,430 feet). The Pool served as a key purification site for Jewish pilgrims, who would use it to prepare for their ascent to the Temple Mount. According to the Jerusalem Talmud, the Pool marked the starting point for pilgrims making their way to the Temple.
Hezekiah's Tunnel: The Pool of Siloam was constructed during the reign of King Hezekiah (715-687 BCE), who, fearing Assyrian siege, built the Siloam Tunnel to secure access to the Gihon Spring while cutting off attackers’ access to it. This innovation replaced a vulnerable older Canaanite tunnel. During this period, the Pool of Siloam was often referred to as the "Lower Pool," distinguishing it from the older Upper Pool mentioned in earlier biblical texts.
Second Temple Period: The pool underwent reconstruction during the reign of Alexander Jannaeus (103-76 BCE). Though it is unclear if the reconstructed pool was on the same site as the one built by Hezekiah, it is known that the pool was in use during the time of Jesus. According to the Gospel of John (9:6-7), Jesus instructed a blind man to wash in the pool to complete his healing. This association has led some scholars to suggest that it was used as a mikvah (ritual bath) for pilgrims.
Byzantine and Roman Periods: During the Roman period, Emperor Hadrian constructed a nymphaeum (a type of monument dedicated to water nymphs) near the pool as part of his plan for Aelia Capitolina, the Roman city established on the site of Jerusalem in 135 CE. The Byzantine period saw further modifications, including the construction of a smaller pool at the end of the Siloam Tunnel in the 5th century, commissioned by Empress Aelia Eudocia.
Discovery in the 21st Century: The Pool of Siloam was rediscovered in 2004 during sewer excavations. Archaeologists found stone steps, confirming its identification as the Second Temple Pool. Excavations, led by archaeologists Eli Shukron and Ronny Reich, revealed the pool's dimensions-about 69 meters (225 feet) wide, with steps on three sides. The pool was not rectangular but had a trapezoidal shape, suggesting adaptation to varying water levels. Coins from the reign of Alexander Jannaeus were found in the pool's plaster lining, providing a date for its reconstruction.
Earlier Excavations: In the late 19th century, archaeologists F. J. Bliss and A. C. Dickie uncovered remnants of a Bronze Age wall and a weir system used to regulate water flow near the pool. Research by Conrad Schick suggested that the pool may have received water directly from the Gihon Spring before the construction of the Siloam Tunnel.
In 2023, further excavations led by Nahshon Szanton revealed previously unexcavated portions of the pool, expanding our understanding of this crucial historical and archaeological site. The Pool of Siloam continues to draw attention for its religious, cultural, and historical significance, particularly in the context of ancient Jerusalem.

[@Olivia.784]

Beautiful sharing 🙏🏻🌹💐🙏🏻

[@ritaschultz6859]

Zahi, you are really in your element today . Enjoying your adventure with other adventurers ❤ loved 😍 it. Thank you for sharing

[@JC-kv1vn]

A lot of fun. Great to see!
Jay from Texas

[@ryanwilson6162]

Great video, the tunnel is so much fun to walk. Amazing to see all the progress at the dig site since last year!

[@emmasalva6311]

Great video.

[@GeorgianneNienaber]

Great memory!

[@joãoAlberto-k9x]

History everywhere.

[@timmountford8610]

Shalom Zahi! I wish I was there with you. I'm glad your getting to do what you love. I'm sure your group will learn a lot.

[@CAMDAM91]

Zahi you have a tour group, this is so exciting to see. This was absolutely amazing, I do believe that is the Pool of Siloam, fascinating. God bless!

[@josephdonalde]

GOOD SILOAM POOL EXCATATIN

[@DeanZimmerman-h1c]

Wow! This Pool of Siloam looks different and new view. I enjoyed your new videos

[@joãoAlberto-k9x]

🎉 to you. Free.

[@orend84]

WOW

[@josephdonalde]

my sellars famly wer byzantines ca. 400 a d ther in jeruslm . we lost our records in many rainy storms of hiland scotland aftr 1200

[@josephdonalde]

larry ellison & i livd same times in san fran calif he s jewish & i m cathlic

[@RandyBrownlee-c2r]

why dont I see running water? or sign of it