A network of ancient canals nearly 3,000 years old has puzzled archaeologists after its discovery in Jerusalem, Reuters reports.

The discovery is unusual because it appears to be the first of its kind, and archaeologists have found no connection between the network and the nearby temple and palace.

The canals, which are still knee-deep in some places, were built about 2,800 years ago and are located in the Old City of Jerusalem. They are divided into two separate rows, located at a distance of 10 meters from each other.

The Israel Antiquities Authority announced that it had taken samples for forensic examination, but found no traces of blood in the ducts. Therefore, archaeologists exclude the possibility that they were used to sacrifice animals for celebration or for religious reasons.

Furthermore, the canals do not appear to have been designed to flow in one direction or to age in a basin, suggesting that they were not designed to collect rainwater or function as a sewage system.

“We looked at the installation and realized that we had come across something unique,” says archaeologist Yiftach Shalev, adding that the find is “an enigma.”

The first hypotheses of archaeologists regarding the “mysterious” find

Researchers are currently considering several hypotheses regarding the role of channels.

Archaeologist Yuval Gadot claims that they could have been used to produce goods “related to the economy of the temple or palace” located here millennia ago.

The production of bed linen, for example, requires prolonged soaking of linen to soften it.

“Another possibility is that these canals could have contained dates that could have been heated by the sun to produce silane (date honey),” Gadot said.

The discovery, which is part of Israel’s City of David National Park, will be on public display next week.