The Siloam Pool, an ancient Jewish heritage site in Jerusalem, holds a pivotal place in biblical history and archaeological study. Its origins trace back to the reign of Hezekiah, the 13th king of Judah, when a tunnel carved through rock channeled water from the Gihon Spring to a reservoir intended to sustain residents during sieges. This early water system illustrates how the capital managed essential resources in times of threat and how such infrastructure shaped daily life in ancient Jerusalem. [attribution: biblical account of Hezekiah and the Siloam tunnel]
During the Second Temple period, the pools were rebuilt and likely served as a mikveh, a ritual bath used by thousands of pilgrims as they gathered at the Pool of Siloam before ascending from the City of David to the Temple Mount. The pool figures prominently in the Gospel of John, where a man who was blind is told to wash in the pool to receive sight: “go, wash in the pool of Siloam, that is, sent. He went and washed and came seeing.” [attribution: Gospel of John 9:6]
Over the centuries, Siloam Pool has attracted scholars and explorers from around the world. Beginning in the 19th century, British and American archaeologists recovered portions of the pool’s steps, and in the 1960s, the renowned archaeologist Kathleen Kenyon conducted a comprehensive excavation in the area. These early efforts helped establish a clearer picture of the pool’s layout and its role within the surrounding urban landscape. [attribution: 19th- and 20th-century excavations]
Modern excavations continued, and in 2004, archaeologists examining sewers uncovered stone steps dating to the Second Temple period. These findings confirmed that the pool measured about 69 meters in width and featured steps on at least three sides, offering tangible evidence of its size and social function during ancient times. [attribution: 2004 sewer excavation]
The Israel Antiquities Authority has announced a new project to fully excavate the Siloam Pool. In its early phase, visitors will be able to observe the site, with plans to incorporate the pool into a broader tourism route beginning at the southern point of the City of David and extending toward the Western Wall. This development aims to provide a tangible link between past and present, allowing visitors to experience a significant historical site within a living city. [attribution: Israel Antiquities Authority]
Jerusalem’s mayor emphasized the site’s importance, describing the Siloam Pool as a place of historical, national, and international significance. After years of anticipation, plans are moving forward to open the site to the millions of visitors who travel to Jerusalem each year, highlighting how archaeology can enrich public understanding of ancient urban life. [attribution: Jerusalem Municipality]
As with any large-scale archaeological initiative, the project has sparked debate. Pro-Arab activists question the timing and implications of expanding access within the Palestinian-inhabited sections of Jerusalem, reflecting ongoing conversations about geography, governance, and heritage. The discussions illustrate how discoveries of ancient sites intersect with contemporary politics and cultural memory. [attribution: contemporary perspectives on heritage projects]
In related discoveries elsewhere, excavations in nearby regions have revealed diverse historical artifacts, contributing to a broader picture of ancient religious and urban practices in the broader Mediterranean and Near Eastern world. These finds help researchers understand the interconnected routes through which water, ritual, and public life shaped ancient communities across generations. [attribution: regional archaeological context]