When most people think of Jerusalem, they immediately imagine biblical times, with a triumphant David entering the city and the Temple with the Ark of the Covenant being God’s earthly home among them or where Jesus taught and many other significant events.
They may also think that the Old City is where this all took place, but that isn’t entirely the case.
About 150 years ago, many thought that the Old City was the Jerusalem of ancient and in its entirety. A British officer in the Royal Engineers was hired to excavate and explore under the Temple Mount. His discoveries included the discovery of a series of tunnels and a water shaft that would become known as Warren’s Shaft.
This discovery subsequently led to the realization that ancient Jerusalem was actually just outside of the Old City. These tunnels were used by David to capture Jerusalem as described in 2 Samuel 5:6-8.
This discovery led to a new age of biblical archaeology and continues to be the foundation of discoveries made even today. Literally, thousands of discoveries have been made that corroborate Biblical accounts.
Since then, the City of David has led to the discovery of:
- The Pool of Siloam where Jesus gave sight to the blind man.
- A Canaanite fortress spoken of in 2 Samuel.
- Ancient roads leading to the temple.
- Stone structures and foundations.
- Discoveries of artifacts dating back 4,000 years.
Today, the City of David continues to be one of the most prolific archeological sites in the entire world, offering discoveries almost daily. It is also one of the most visited places in Israel. They offer tours of the grounds, gift shops, and a spectacular new light show at night on the walls of the city that tells of the rich history of Jerusalem and Israel.
Originally posted at Immanuel Tours.