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Abstract

Salvage excavations along the central sector of the High Aqueduct to Caesarea were conducted in five areas (Areas 1–5). Area 1 was excavated at the foothills of Mount Carmel. Area 2 was excavated at the point where Road 4 cuts the aqueduct. Area 3 was located where Channel A was diverted into Deviation Channel D. Area 4 was opened on both sides of the modern breach of Naḥal ‘Ada, and Area 5, where Channel D joins Channel A. The High Aqueduct functioned continuously for about six centuries, until the Islamic conquest in 640/1 CE. It comprised three channels (A–C), which were constructed gradually. First, Channel A was constructed, sometime between the inauguration of Caesarea by King Herod in 10/9 BCE and Hadrian’s rule, probably under the Flavian emperors. Then, Channel B was added to its right side; an inscription dated it to Hadrian’s rule. Channel C replaced Channel B. Gravity Channel C2, which replaced the Channel C pipeline, constitutes the last stage of the aqueduct, in the sixth century CE. These results are an important addition to our knowledge concerning the construction and dating of the High Aqueduct.

Keywords

water supply system, gravity channel, pipeline, plaster type, pillar, arch, inscribed column, travertine, cornice

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