Editing Tunnel (section)

=== Antiquity and early middle ages ===
Predecessors of modern tunnels were [[adit]]s that transported water for [[irrigation]], drinking, or [[sewerage]]. The first [[qanat]]s are known from before 2000 BC.

The earliest tunnel known to have been excavated from both ends is the [[Siloam tunnel|Siloam Tunnel]], built in [[Jerusalem]] by the kings of [[Kingdom of Judah|Judah]] around the 8th century BC.<ref>{{Cite web |last=gzichnalis |date=2022-01-15 |title=Eupalinos Tunnel – First Tunnel to be excavated simultaneously from both ends in the 6th centurty B.C. |url=https://wtc2023.gr/eupalinos-tunnel-first-tunnel-to-be-excavated-simultaneously-from-both-ends-in-the-6th-centurty-b-c/ |access-date=2024-09-26 |website=WTC2023 |language=en-US}}</ref> Another tunnel excavated from both ends, maybe the second known, is the [[Tunnel of Eupalinos]], which is a tunnel [[Aqueduct (water supply)|aqueduct]] {{convert|1036|m|ft|abbr=on|adj=on|sigfig=3}} long running through Mount Kastro in [[Samos Island|Samos]], Greece. It was built in the 6th century BC to serve as an [[Aqueduct (water supply)|aqueduct]].

In [[Pakistan]], the mughal era tunnel has been restored in the [[Lahore]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mehmood |first=Asif |date=2021-03-18 |title=400-year-old tunnel discovered in Shahi Qila |url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/2290002/400-year-old-tunnel-discovered-in-shahi-qila |access-date=2024-12-16 |website=The Express Tribune |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Omer |first=Shahab |date=2018-10-09 |title=Mughal-era tunnel, underground chambers discovered at Lahore Fort {{!}} Pakistan Today |url=https://archive.pakistantoday.com.pk/2018/10/09/mughal-era-tunnel-underground-chambers-discovered-at-lahore-fort/#:~:text=LAHORE:%20A%20tunnel,%20structures%20with,age%20to%20the%20Mughal%20Era. |access-date=2024-12-16 |language=en-GB}}</ref>

In [[Ethiopia]], the [[Siqurto foot tunnel]], hand-hewn in the Middle Ages, crosses a mountain ridge.

In the [[Gaza Strip]], the network of tunnels was used by Jewish strategists as rock-cut shelters, in first links to Judean resistance against Roman rule in the [[Bar Kokhba revolt]] during the 2nd century AD.