Large Cistern/Bath

Large Cistern/Bath

View looking east, down into two of the ritual baths (cisterns?) of the 8 discovered at Qumran.  These were built of stone and were lined with hydraulic plaster.

There actually is a plastered staircase that leads down into the cistern from the lower portion of the image (away from the viewer).  Beyond the divider, in the center of the image, a second ritual bath (cistern) is visible.

On the horizon the Dead Sea, and beyond it the Hills of Moab, are visible.  The site of Qumran is located about 1 mi. [1.6 km.] west of the Dead Sea.

For comments on the site of Qumran and a map Click Here.