Excavators have uncovered an ancient tunnel in Jerusalem, close to archaeological sites associated with the biblical Kingdom of Judah. The Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) announced the discovery on May 14. The tunnel, measuring approximately 164 feet long, 16 feet tall, and 10 feet wide, was found near Kibbutz Ramat Rachel, an area previously linked to the Kingdom of Judah through earlier excavations.
The tunnel was discovered during preparations for a new residential neighborhood north of Ramat Rachel. According to the IAA, the tunnel was filled with layers of soil accumulated over hundreds or possibly thousands of years. Excavation directors Sivan Mizrahi and Zinovi Matskevich stated that the discovery was unexpected, as they were excavating rocky terrain when they found a natural karstic cavity that developed into a long tunnel.
While parts of the tunnel remain collapsed, the IAA noted that the rock-cutting was done with precision. The purpose of the tunnel is still unclear, but researchers speculate it may have been carved to access a chalk layer used for quarrying building stones or producing lime. Evidence supporting this theory includes a shaft in the tunnel's ceiling that may have been used for ventilation and quarrying debris found on the floor.
Experts have ruled out the possibility that the tunnel was part of an ancient water system and suggest that it may have been abandoned before completion. Amit Re'em, a Jerusalem district archaeologist at the IAA, remarked that this find adds to the numerous discoveries being made in the city, which continues to yield surprises.
