Model

View looking southeast at a model of the aqueduct/cistern system of Masada.  Note the two aqueducts that brought water, from right to left (west to east), to the cisterns that were carved into the northwestern face of Masada.  There are 8 large cisterns that are fed by the upper aqueduct and 4 by the lower one.

On the left (east) side of the image note the zigzag paths that lead up from the cisterns to the top of Masada.  Convoys of animals followed these paths to bring water to the top of the mountain—where it was stored in mountain top cisterns.

Also visible on the upper left are the three terraces (tiers) of the Northern Palace.