During the summer of 5758 (1998), while cleaning the outer courtyard of the Upper Observation Point, a small opening was uncovered leading deep underground.  Using ropes explorers descended over 24 feet underground (7 meters) into an ancient royal water cistern 45 feet (15 meters) in diameter, with seven small openings.  This cistern, located in the proximity of what is assumed to be the Palace of King David, conjures powerful images of the story of the Prophet Jeremiah, "…and they took Jeremiah and cast him into the pit" (Jeremiah 38:6)