Archaeologists briefly pause Jerusalem dig in fear of damage to ancient road
(Worthy News) – The Israel Antiquities Authority briefly halted an underground excavation in the Silwan neighborhood of East Jerusalem due to fears of a structural collapse in the area, according to a Monday report in Haaretz. According to the report the authority made the decision after finding out the land around the dig was sinking.
The IAA told The Times of Israel on Tuesday that a brief work stoppage had occurred several months ago, but that excavation is ongoing at the City of David’s 2,000-year-old subterranean road, some five meters (16 feet) beneath the neighborhood of 20,000.
Silwan residents have warned for years of fissures, collapses, and undermined buildings in the neighborhood due to the excavations, but the Antiquities Authority said the digs were not related to any problems on the modern surface. [ Source: Times of Israel (Read More…) ]