MASADA: THE ROCK-HEWN CISTERNS

One of the enormous water cisterns at Masada; these ensured a reliable water supply for the palace/fortress

One of the water reservoirs cut into the rock of Masada

Masada sat on the top of a barren, windswept plateau. It had no natural water supply of its own.

So Herod cut vast water reservoirs into the rock underneath the fortress - see for the location of these man-made caverns.

With this water, Herod was able to make the desert bloom. The garden plots on the summit of Masada were even able to provide fresh fruit and vegetables.

They also furnished water for the elaborate baths with which the palace was equipped, and the mikvehs or ritual baths which were (and still are) an important part of Jewish religious ritual.

Other Online Bible Websites

Study famous and historical people, places, artwork and archaelogy of the Holy Bible online.

For more online Bible study resources and activities, visit the following websites:

www.bible-people.info - stories of the Bible's most famous men and women - Moses, Judas, John the Baptist, Mary Magdalene and more

www.womeninthebible.net - all about Bible women, good and bad: Ruth, Deborah, Mary of Nazareth, Jezebel

www.bible-archaeology.info - archaeological evidence and the Bible - what can we prove?

http://www.bible-art.info/ - Bible paintings and artworks: Nativity, Resurrection, Esther, Martha and Mary

http://www.bible-topten.com/ - Top Ten heroes, bad women, ways to hell, young people, villains, murders, films

http://www.bible-architecture.info/ - more about houses, palaces, temples and fortresses

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