Israel's Antiquities Authority workers a

Israel's Antiquities Authority workers are seen at the excavation site of a 2000 year old large ritual bath, �mikvah�, from the end of the Second Jewish Temple period in the Western Wall tunnels on September 23, 2009 in Jerusalem's Old City. According to archaeologist Alexander Onn, director of the excavation on behalf of the Israel Antiquities Authority the large �mikvah� was installed inside its western hall where there were c. 11 steps that descend to the immersion pool. The ritual bath was used by Jewish pilgrims who came to the Temple, especially during the three pilgrimage festivals. Immersing oneself in the �mikvah� and maintaining ritual purity were an inseparable part of the Jewish way of life in this period. AFP PHOTO/GALI TIBBON (Photo credit should read GALI TIBBON/AFP via Getty Images)