Biar Aqueduct

The Biar Aqueduct, or Wadi el-Biyar Aqueduct, is an ancient aqueduct in the northern Hebron Hills (Gush Etzion area), south of Jerusalem, that formed part of the city's historic water-supply system. Traditional attribution places its construction under Herod the Great (37-4 BC), but radiocarbon dating of its plasters indicates a mid-first-century CE build with second-century renovations associated with Aelia Capitolina, although it is possible that the entire system dates exclusively to the second century.[1][2] The two-stage option might place its construction under the governorship of Pontius Pilate (AD 26–36).[2][3] Sections were refurbished under the British Mandate in 1924 and remained in service until 1967.[1]

History

The Biar Aqueduct includes a 2.8 km tunnel with vertical shafts approximately every 40 meters, as well as open channels. It operated intermittently from the Second Temple period until the 20th century and was finally decommissioned in 1967. Its water sources included the Biar Spring, Arrub Springs, and others near Solomon's Pools.[4]

Parts of the Biar (Wadi el-Biyar) aqueduct system were refurbished by the British during the Mandate period—most notably around 1924—enabling water from Solomon's Pools to continue supplying Jerusalem's Old City until approximately 1967.[1] Additionally, records indicate that under the Mandate the Arrub aqueduct was decommissioned and replaced by a modern iron pipeline.[4]

Today

The aqueduct is accessible to visitors through guided tours organized by the Gush Etzion Development Company, including walking in the ancient water tunnels.[5] The official Gush Etzion tourism site similarly notes that "a watery, enjoyable hike awaits you in the underground tunnel" of the aqueduct, advising visitors to bring a flashlight, water shoes, and change of clothes.[6]

See also

  • Qanat, Iranian aqueduct technology applied here by Romans

References

  1. ^ a b c "Solomon's Pools and relating aqueducts, the heart of Jerusalem's past water supply". Hydria Project: Hydria Virtual Museum. Archived from the original on 2024-10-13. Retrieved 2025-08-09.
  2. ^ a b Yechezkel, Azriel; Negev, Yoav; Frumkin, Amos; Leibner, Uzi (2021). "The Shaft Tunnel of the Biar Aqueduct of Jerusalem: Architecture, Hydrology, and Dating". Geoarchaeology. 36 (6): 897–913. Bibcode:2021Gearc..36..897Y. doi:10.1002/gea.21875. Retrieved 24 September 2025 – via academia.edu.
  3. ^ Hasson, Nir (19 December 2021). "Notorious Pontius Pilate Is the One Who Built Jerusalem Aqueduct, Study Finds". Haaretz. Retrieved 24 September 2025.
  4. ^ a b Barghouth, J. M. (2009). "Sustainability of Ancient Water Supply Facilities in Jerusalem". Sustainability. 1 (4): 1106–1120. Bibcode:2009Sust....1.1106B. doi:10.3390/su1041106.
  5. ^ "Hiking Through the Biyar Aqueduct". Hiking in the Holy Land. 5 July 2023. Archived from the original on 2025-07-13. Retrieved 2025-08-09.
  6. ^ "Biyar Aqueduct". Gush Etzion Tourism. Archived from the original on 2025-06-24. Retrieved 2025-08-09.
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