High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! Warren`s Shaft is an archaeological feature in Jerusalem discovered in 1867 by British engineer Sir Charles Warren (1840–1927). It runs from within the old city to a spot near the Gihon Spring, and after its 19th century discovery was thought to have been the centrepiece of the city`s early water supply system, since it would have enabled the city`s occupants to safely reach fresh water (which was otherwise unavailable within the city) even if the city itself was besieged. The narrow and tall shaft was demonstrated to be traversable when a member of Warren`s excavation climbed from top to base. Since in the Books of Samuel it states that David conquered Jerusalem from its prior inhabitants due to Joab sneaking up a similar water shaft and launching a surprise attack on the city from inside, it was long thought that Warren`s shaft was the shaft in question (with Hezekiah`s tunnel having too late a date, and there being no other known candidates).