An enormous ancient dam, thought to be where Jesus healed a blind man in the Bible, has been discovered in Jerusalem.
In the gospels, it is described how Jesus healed a blind beggar's sight after sending him to wash in the Pool of Siloam.
Now, archaeologists believe they have found a large dam which marks the former location of the pool.
Excavation Director Itamar Berko said: "If until today we could only read in the biblical text about the existence of the Pool of Siloam, now we can see its tangible remnants and its beginning from 2,800 years ago."
Archaeologists believe they have found a large dam which marks the former location of the Pool of Siloam
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He added: "Behind us is a monumental damn wall, enormous in size, over 11 metres high, dated to 2,800 years ago during the First Temple Period, in the time of Kings Joash and Amaziah.
"Thanks to highly precise scientific dating, this is the first time it is possible to point with certainty to a structure that formed the basis for the construction of the Siloam Pool, which until now we knew only from the Bible and historical sources."
The dimensions of the wall have been called "remarkable" by Berko and his co-directors Dr Nahshon Szanton and Dr Filip Vukosavovic.
It is believed to continue beyond the current limits of the excavation, likely measuring 12 metres high, over eight metres wide and at least 21 metres in length.
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The dimensions of the wall have been called 'remarkable'
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Researchers believe the dam is responsible for the existence of the Pool of Siloam
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Researchers believe the dam is responsible for the existence of the Pool of Siloam.
Dr Szanton said: "It is the lowest point in ancient Jerusalem.
"All the water, all the runoff from the rain that falls essentially flows here to this central large drainage basin of the city.
"If it wasn't for this dam wall, the water flowing in this channel would simply flow into the Kidron Valley straight to the Dead Sea."
The site was discovered in the heart of ancient Jerusalem
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The Gospel of John tells the story of Jesus restoring sight to a blind man.
It is said Jesus spat on the ground and anointed the man's eyes with the resulting mixture of dirt and saliva.
He then sent the man to wash in the Pool of Siloam.
The discovery was made thanks to 'perseverance, professionalism, and archaeological determination'
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Director of the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) Eli Escusido said: "This is one of the most impressive and significant First Temple-period remains in Jerusalem, and has been preserved to an extraordinary degree.
"The revealed dam is awe-inspiring and opens new avenues of research.
"The discovery of the dam and the Siloam Pool in the City of David is the result of perseverance, professionalism, and archaeological determination.
"In recent years, Jerusalem has been revealed more than ever before, will its periods, layers, and cultures - and many surprises still await us."