Near Megiddo, Haifa District, Israel — West Asia (the Levant in the Middle East)
The Water System
Photographed By Dale K. Benington, March 8, 2013
1. The Water System Marker
The problem of supplying water to large cities, a serious issue even in times of peace, could become acute in times of siege. Megiddo's main water source was located at the foot of the mound, beyond the city's fortifications. In order to ensure access to the spring from within the city, a hidden gallery was built on the slope of the mound in the 10th or 9th c. B.C. This gallery was later blocked and replaced by an elaborate water system, which remained in use in the Assyrian city of the 7th c. B.C.
[Text from the caption, written at the bottom of the marker's featured illustration]:
A square shaft dug through to the bedrock and ending in an 80m. long tunnel reaches the spring ca. 35m. below the surface of the mound. Outside access to the spring was concealed to prevent enemies from discovering the existence of the water system.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & Archaeology • Forts and Castles • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Tel Megiddo series list.
Location. 32° 35.092′ N, 35° 10.99′ E. Marker is near Megiddo, Haifa District. Marker can be reached from National
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Southern Stables (within shouting distance of this marker); A Public Grain Silo (about 120 meters away, measured in a direct line); The Southern Palace (about 120 meters away); Schumaker's Excavations (about 120 meters away); The City-Gate (about 180 meters away); a different marker also named The City-Gate (about 180 meters away); The Northern Stables (about 210 meters away); The Northern Palace (about 210 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Megiddo.
More about this marker. The "Megiddo National Park" handout/brochure has this to say about Stop 20, "The Water System" on the historic tour:
Megiddo's huge water system was hewn during the period of the Israelite kings, in order to bring water into the city without having to exit the walls. To this end, Megiddo's inhabitants dug a gigantic, 36-meter-deep shaft, from which a 70-meter-long horizontal tunnel extended to the spring, which emerged in a cave at the foot of the mound outside
Photographed By Dale K. Benington, March 8, 2013
2. The Water System Marker
Close-up view of the English text displayed on the left side of the historical marker.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. To better understand the relationship, study each marker in the order shown.
Also see . . .
1. Tel Megiddo. This is a link to information provided by Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. (Submitted on May 9, 2013, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio.)
2. The Megiddo Expedition. This is a link to information provided by The Megiddo Expedition Website. (Submitted on May 9, 2013, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio.)
3. Tel Megiddo. This is a link to information provided by the BibleWalks.com website. (Submitted on May 9, 2013, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio.)
4. Megiddo - The Solomonic Chariot City. This is a link to information provided by the Jewish Virtual Library. (Submitted on May 9, 2013, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio.)
Photographed By Dale K. Benington, March 8, 2013
3. The Water System Marker
Close-up view of the illustration of the Tel Megiddo Water System displayed on the historic marker.
Photographed By Dale K. Benington, March 8, 2013
4. The Water System Marker
View of photo displayed as part of the historical marker with the following caption: "The water tunnel."
Photographed By Dale K. Benington, March 8, 2013
5. The Water System
View of a tour group moving down the open shaft of the water system.
Photographed By Dale K. Benington, March 8, 2013
6. The Water System Marker
View of the historical marker in the foreground, and in the background is a view of people descending the staircase, into the open shaft of the ancient water system.
Photographed By Dale K. Benington, March 8, 2013
7. The Water System
View of a tour group entering the entrance to the tunnel of the water system, at the bottom of the open shaft.
Photographed By Dale K. Benington, March 8, 2013
8. The Water System
View of the water system tunnel.
Photographed By Dale K. Benington, March 8, 2013
9. The Water System
View of the Megiddo Spring that is located at the end of the water tunnel.
Credits. This page was last revised on December 27, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 9, 2013, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. This page has been viewed 562 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. submitted on May 9, 2013, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio.
