Warren's Shaft in Jerusalem

Warren's Shaft in Jerusalem is an important archeological feature which reflects the history of Jerusalem and the civil life at that time. Being discovered by Charles Warren in his investigations of the city in the 1860s, this underground tunnel system has become known as "Warren's Shaft." The Warren's Shaft in Jerusalem runs from within the old city to a spot near the Gihon spring, and after its 19th century discovery was thought to have been the centerpiece of the city's early water supply system, since it would have enabled the city's occupants to safely reach fresh water which was otherwise unavailable within the city. It is one of the most valuable findings which us a clue to yesteryears and is one of the most important places of sightseeing in Jerusalem.

Warren's Shaft in Jerusalem consists of four parts in sequence:-
  -   The stepped tunnel
  -   The horizontal curved tunnel
  -   The 14 meter vertical shaft
  -   The feeding tunnel.

Jerusalem travel guide tells us that the date and function of Warren's Shaft in Jerusalem is still not clear and is still topic for debate. What is evident is that this system was used to access the city's supply of water from inside the safety of the city walls. Excavations in the 1980s seem to indicate that the system was post-Davidic, but more recent work establishes its Middle Bronze date (1800 B.C.).

This 14 m vertical shaft led to a feeding tunnel which connected the base to the Gihon Spring. The theory for a long time was that the city's inhabitants would drop their buckets down this shaft to retrieve water. A newly unearthed passageway leads from the vertical shaft to the Pool Tower. Recent findings indicates that Jerusalem's inhabitants would have traveled through the tunnel system and continued this way to the Pool Tower

The pool reached by the higher passage was protected by a large tower, which was also discovered by the visitor centre builders, and is located outside the former city. The pool connects to the Gihon spring via a narrow channel, and the Gihon was itself protected by a large tower .The pool itself may have been protected by a second tower, but this is uncertain as excavation of the southern side of the pool has not yet been carried out, since it lies under a current residential area.