arcticpenguin
10th September 2003, 01:45 PM
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/3098018.stm
Israeli scientists have used radiometric dating to show when a tunnel in Jerusalem, described in the Bible, was excavated.
It is believed to be the first time a structure described in the Bible has been accurately dated, and scholars say it will be useful in refining the history of Jerusalem.
Mount of Olives old City Jerusalem
Modern-day tourists know the Siloam Tunnel as a half-kilometre-long passage running under Jerusalem's ancient city walls.
According to the Bible it was excavated by King Hezekiah to carry water from the Gihon spring into the city, securing the supply in times of warfare.
Most scholars believe this happened around 700 BC, though some have contended it is much younger.
Now research led by Amos Frumpkin of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, reported in the scientific journal Nature, has confirmed the date, which he says is a rare success.
...
Dr Frumpkin's team found plant remains and stalactites in the Siloam Tunnel which they examined using carbon dating and another similar method involving uranium. They confirmed the age at around 700 BC.
...
The Siloam Tunnel itself remains a wonder of ancient engineering, excavated by two teams of diggers starting at opposite ends and meeting somehow - no-one knows how - in the middle.
I think finding plant material would set a minimum date on the tunnel age, it could have been deposited any time after the tunnel was dug.
Israeli scientists have used radiometric dating to show when a tunnel in Jerusalem, described in the Bible, was excavated.
It is believed to be the first time a structure described in the Bible has been accurately dated, and scholars say it will be useful in refining the history of Jerusalem.
Mount of Olives old City Jerusalem
Modern-day tourists know the Siloam Tunnel as a half-kilometre-long passage running under Jerusalem's ancient city walls.
According to the Bible it was excavated by King Hezekiah to carry water from the Gihon spring into the city, securing the supply in times of warfare.
Most scholars believe this happened around 700 BC, though some have contended it is much younger.
Now research led by Amos Frumpkin of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, reported in the scientific journal Nature, has confirmed the date, which he says is a rare success.
...
Dr Frumpkin's team found plant remains and stalactites in the Siloam Tunnel which they examined using carbon dating and another similar method involving uranium. They confirmed the age at around 700 BC.
...
The Siloam Tunnel itself remains a wonder of ancient engineering, excavated by two teams of diggers starting at opposite ends and meeting somehow - no-one knows how - in the middle.
I think finding plant material would set a minimum date on the tunnel age, it could have been deposited any time after the tunnel was dug.