Ancient History

Learn how King Hezekiah built an amazing underground tunnel to protect Jerusalem's water supply.

King Hezekiah was worried about the Assyrian army attacking Jerusalem. He decided to block the water springs outside the city so the enemy couldn't use them.

Hezekiah had workers dig an underground tunnel through the mountain. Two groups started from different ends and worked toward each other until they met in the middle.

The tunnel carried water from the Gihon spring to the Pool of Siloam inside the city walls. An ancient inscription describes how the workers met in the tunnel.

Hezekiah's Tunnel