Revisiting the ‘Aujah Aqueducts: New Insights and Discoveries

The spring of ‘Ein el-‘Aujah emerges from the seam between the ‘Aujah Valley and the Samaria Hills. Being the most abundant of the Jordan Valley springs, a complex water conveyance system was established there under Hasmonean rule, further developing under King Herod and his family, when water was conveyed from ‘Ein el-‘Aujah to the king’s palace complex in Jericho and to Archelais. This article presents the results of excavations conducted in recent years in two different sections of the main ‘Aujah aqueduct and in a survey that incorporated new measuring techniques. The findings indicated that the ‘Ein el-‘Aujah aqueduct from Herod’s time was integrated into the Hasmonean aqueduct system to ensure a steady water supply to the Hasmonean and Herodian kings’ winter palaces in the southern part of the Jericho oasis, on the banks of Wadi Qelt.