The Water System – Masada’s arid location required a permanent water supply. The impressive system Herod built included dams that diverted floodwater to channels leading to 12 cisterns dug on two levels into the rocky slope. The plastered cisterns could hold an amazing 40,000 cubic m of water. Pack animals then bore the water up to the cisterns on the mountaintop. Retrace your steps past the cistern and the ritual bath, and head to the synagogue 12 . From the guard room you can take a detour to the southern portion of the administration building where you can ascend a reconstructed tower 25 for an extensive view of the plateau and its surroundings. In Herod’s day, the tower served as a guards’ lookout. South of the tower are the officers' quarters 26 , a residence built in barracks style in Herod’s day to house his soldiers. This building, which later served the rebels, continued in use in the Byzantine period. The synagogue 12 – This building, constructed in Herod’s time, was apparently first used as a stable. It was converted into a synagogue at the time of the Great Revolt, when rows of benches lining the hall and a separate room at the back were added. Two holes dug in the floor of the back room were found to contain Bible scrolls, indicating it may have served as a geniza, a storage room for sacred scrolls. Among the scrolls discovered was Ezekiel’s vision of the valley of the dry bones. On the floor of the room an inscription was found that read “the priest’s tithe.” This is one of the only synagogues dating from the time of the Second Temple, which was destroyed in 70 CE. South of the synagogue is the “casemate of the scrolls.” A rare group of finds from the time of the Great Revolt was discovered here, collected by the Romans after the conquest of Masada. Outstanding among the finds is a large number of parchment and papyrus
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