Ancient ritual purification complex discovered near Jerusalem's Temple Mount

Archaeologists have uncovered a massive 2,000-year-old Jewish ritual purification complex near the foot of the Temple Mount in Jerusalem’s Old City. Located in the Ophel area, the site was discovered during a large-scale excavation project led by Professor Uzi Leibner and Professor Orit Peleg-Barkat of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

The complex, dating to the early first century A.D., covers approximately 280 square meters and includes a large central pool measuring roughly 12 by 9.5 meters, along with three large public ritual baths, known as mikvaot. One of these baths remains remarkably well-preserved, featuring an intact vaulted stone roof. The site includes a sophisticated drainage system with tunnels over two meters high that directed water toward the Kidron Valley.

Researchers believe the facility was designed to accommodate the large numbers of pilgrims traveling to Jerusalem for biblical festivals such as Passover, Shavuot, and Sukkot. The discovery also yielded dozens of coins from the Jewish revolt against Rome, some dating near the destruction of the Second Temple in A.D. 70, suggesting the center remained active until the Temple's final years.