The resistance of clay to percolation by water depends chiefly upon the density of the clay, while that density is rapidly reduced if the clay is permitted to absorb water.
Thus, if there is any percolation between the Mediterranean and the Dead Sea, it must be towards the latter.
Of course, with such a pressure as this, there was likely to be percolation under the foundations and a washing-out of the soil.
The percolation will then be very small, and the risk of disintegration will be reduced to a minimum.
The earlier treasury was probably destroyed either by earthquake or by the percolation of water through the terracing.