In Israel archaeologists have discovered a 2,700-year-old water basin with ancient engravings on the walls

The well-preserved 2,700-year-old reservoir, created in the Assyrian period, was recently discovered near Rosh-Haayin by archaeologists from the Antiquities Authority. This was officially announced by the Israeli authorities.

Excavations were carried out with the help of students-archaeologists before the construction of a new residential area adjacent to the site. The works were initiated by the Ministry of Construction.

The importance of a reservoir for ancient people

According to Gilad Itach, director of excavations at the Antiquities Authority, the found reservoir contains numerous engravings on the walls. Such water supply was important for the survival of local residents, who settled in the region in protracted dry seasons.

"It's hard not to be surprised at how many years ago a huge underground reservoir was erected," Itach said. - In ancient times, the collection and storage of rainwater was a fundamental necessity. With an annual rainfall of 500 mm, winter rains traveling in the region would easily fill a huge reservoir. "

Original engravings

Also Itach said: "On the walls at the entrance were found engravings of human figures, crosses and images of various plants. Probably, they were cut by passers-by in a later period. In general, we identified seven images of people, whose height is 15-30 cm. Most of them are carved with outstretched hands, and some seem to hold some object. " The reservoir, according to the archaeologist, is almost 20 meters in length, and its depth reaches more than 4 meters.

Some of the shingles that were found on the floors of the rooms are probably fragments of vessels used to extract water from the tank. It is very likely that the structure and reservoir were built at the end of the Iron Age (late VIII or early 7th century BC). The reservoir was abandoned during the Persian period, but the reservoir was still used up to the present day.

Buildings of the times of the Assyrian empire

In recent years, alongside Rosh Haayin (Israel), several other buildings were erected at the end of the First Temple period. "They were probably created after the destruction of the Kingdom of Israel in 720 BC, when the Assyrian empire began to dominate the Middle East region," Itach said. - It is interesting that many areas in the ruined Kingdom of Israel remained empty. Some scholars believe that the creation of buildings was motivated by the desire of the Assyrian empire to develop this region, which was located on the international road and near the western border. "

But Itach notes that the structure studied during excavations differs from most of the previously discovered ones. "The ordered plan of the buildings, their vast area, strong walls and an impressive reservoir, carved under it, indicate that this object was of an administrative nature. Perhaps he controlled the surrounding buildings, "he said.

Working in coordination with the Ministry of Construction and the municipality of Rosh Haayin, the Antiquities Authority plans to make a site accessible to the public close to the residential area.