Filling the Cistern

Thus far, almost all of my posts have been about investigating the cistern that was found under the SE corner of the LSS. Well, the time finally came to refill it. While I wish we could have left it open for public viewing (though not exploring!), it was a danger to the structural integrity of the building. So, how exactly did we go about filling it? I'm so glad you asked!

First, the general contractors returned to the LSS to remove hay that was placed in the archaeology pit over the cistern to protect it from the cold and to clear away debris from the North and East walls of the synagogue. The next day, the plumbers returned to pump the cistern (again) and removed approximately four feet of standing water from the bottom. The grouting company then filled the cistern with flowable fill* and laid grout injection pipes. Later this week, we hope to have the general contractors back to backfill four of the eight existing archaeology pits with new, clean, compactable fill. Once that has been completed, the grouting company will return to inject grout under the SE corner of the LSS in order to stabilize it and prevent further settlement.

On a somewhat related note, I now have more detailed pictures of the inside of the cistern and will post them shortly. I am waiting for a final archaeology report, and as soon as I receive it, I will post the pictures along with corresponding text.

*more on this in a later post