21.7.2022

NEW PHOTOS FROM THE RECENTLY DISCOVERED 2ND TEMPLE ERA MIKVEH

We have been sharing photos of the newly uncovered 2,000-year-old mikveh (ritual bath) over the past few weeks, and today more photos were published. The mikveh was discovered while work is underway creating an elevator shaft to take visitors from the Jewish Quarter in Jerusalem's Old City to the Western Wall Plaza just below the Jewish Quarter.

The mikveh is located in what was a first century villa, likely owned by a family of kohanic (priestly) descent. Immersing in a mikveh was required by all Israelites, kohanim and non-kohanim, before ascending to the Holy Temple, just as it is required today before ascending the Temple Mount.

Many kohanim resided in Jerusalem's upper city during the late 2nd Temple period, close to their place of work, the Holy Temple. Tens of ancient mikvehs have been uncovered in the area surrounding the Temple Mount.

-The Temple Institute

The excavated site of the mikveh.

Archaeologists Dr. Oren Gutfeld and Michal Haber at the entrance to the mikveh.

The site of the excavation at the Western Wall Plaza.

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