150-Year mystery unveiled: ancient fortification that shielded Jerusalem’s kings found

Excavations at the Givati Parking Lot in the City of David have uncovered a massive moat that sheds light on a 150-year-old mystery. This enormous channel, formed by extensive quarrying, separated the City of David from the Temple Mount and Ophel area, with steep cliffs rendering it impassable.

Originally unclear, the moat is now identified as the northern fortification line of the lower city. Prof. Yuval Gadot and Dr. Yiftah Shalev explain that it likely dates back to the Kingdom of Judah, around 3,000 years ago, marking the boundary between the southern residential area and the northern ruling Acropolis.

The monumental operation of constructing the moat involved extensive modifications to the natural terrain, aimed at showcasing the dominance of Jerusalem’s rulers. According to researchers, this large-scale endeavor, requiring sophisticated engineering and considerable resources, highlighted the formidable power and capabilities of the city’s rulers.

* Arutz 7 contributed to this report