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 1st
Day - Jaffa: Ancient
Jaffa fortress, 15th to 13th century's B.C.E. Fortress
gate, and 13th century B.C.E. Israelite settlement. Jonah
the Prophet boarded a ship at Jaffa bound for Tarshish
(Jonah 1:3). Ashdod:
An important port of ancient "giants" (Joshua 11:22).
Philistine city, later built up by Uzziah, the King of
Judah (ll Chronicles 26:6). Excavations have uncovered
Canaanite and Israelite remains fortifications, seals,
and cult objects. Tel AI-Hasi:
Identified with Eglon (Joshua 10:3). Excavations have
revealed 8 levels, from 2,600 B.C.E. to the First Temple
Period.
2nd
Day - Beersheba: Important
city of the Negev, since Biblical times (Genesis 21:31,
26:33, II Kings 23:8, I Kings 19:3, 8). Tel Beersheba
is northeast of the modern town, with the remains of a
fortress and the main city drain, which led toward the
gate. Timna: "King
Solomon's Mines" - the copper mines at Timna. Ezion
Gever: North of the Gulf of Eilat, Ezion Gever
is a port of Solomon's times. There is an early Iron Age
port installation in the bay. Mentioned in I Kings 9:26,
II Chronicles 8:17.
3rd
Day - Free
4th
Day - Arad: Important
city in Biblical times. Remains of a large city at Tel
Arad, Israelite citadel, Arad sanctuary, altars, Arad
temple (Numbers 14:44-45, Deuteronomy 1:44). Fin
Gedi: Oasis on the western shore of the Dead
Sea. Efficient irrigation system. Mosaic synagogue (Joshua
1 5:62, I Samuel 24:1-2, II Chronicles 20:2). Jericho:
Oldest town in the land of Israel. This was the city the
Israelites encountered upon entering the Promised Land
(Joshua 2:1, 6:21). The Bible refers many times to Jericho
(12th-6th centuries B.C.E.). Building remains from the
time of King Ahab including stone tower and stone wall.
5th
Day - Jerusalem: Biblical
Period - the city and its fortifications. The Temple Mount.
The Wall of the Ophel. Jebusite city. City of David between
the Kidron Valley and the Tyropeon Valley.
6th
Day - Jerusalem: The
Jewish Quarter (buildings dating back to the end of the
Israelite Period). David's Citadel. Robinson's Arch. Wilson's
Arch. Prof. Mazar's excavation in the northern area of
the city.
7th
Day - Necropolis:
Around the city: Village. Sanhedriyyah, Mount Scopus,
the Mount of Olives, Siloam
8th
Day - Mount Zion:
Fortification systems of the First Temple period, first
wall, marketplace of the Old City, second wall (near Church
of the Holy Sepulchre). Damascus Gate.
9th
Day - Israel Museum
- Biblical and archaeological museum. Shrine of the Book
(housing the Dead Sea Scrolls). Bible
Lands Museum, Model of Ancient Jerusalem: At
the Holyland Hotel, in the Bayit Vegan neighborhood. Rockefeller
Museum: Contains artifacts from the most important
archaeological excavations.
10th
Day - Free
11th
Day - Lakhish: A Canaanite
and Israelite city. Joshua defeated the King of Lakhish
at Ayalon (Joshua 10:35). Fosse temple and evidence of
this on the tel. Fortified palace built by either David
or Solomon. Eighteen ostraca ("the Lakhish Ostraca") were
discovered in a room next to the city gate. City fortification
built by Rehoboam. Palace-fort in the Centre of city.
Mareshah: One of the
cities fortified by Rehoboam (11 Chronicles 11:8-9). Have
a city wall, a marketplace and a temple. The most important
finds were texts on limestone tablets.
12th
Day - Beit-Shemesh:
Mentioned in the Bible a number of times. Excavation from
the period of the Judges. Fortification from the Israelite
Monarchy Period. Gazer:
Major city in ancient times. Horam, the King of Gazer,
was defeated in battle by the Israelites (Joshua 10:33).
Stronghold of King Solomon. The Gazer Calendar was discovered
here (10th century B.C.E.). Bethel
(Belt-El) Means "House of God", where Jacob had his dream.
"Sacred Pillar" (Mazzevah). Remains of a house. Gideon:
Joshua's great battle with Canaanite Kings took place
here. Part of the city wall, cistern tunnel.
13th
Day - Shekhem (Nablus):
Canaanite and Israelite city between Mount Ebal and Mount
Gerizim. First mentioned in the Bible in connection with
Abraham's arrival in Canaan. Archaeological evidence includes
the eastern city gate, fortifications, and stairs. Samaria
(Shomron): Capital of the Kingdom of Israel in the 9th-8th
centuries B.C.E., founded by Omri, King of Israel. Acropolis
contained the Palace of Omri and storehouses of King Ahab.
Dothan: Dothan is situated on an important ancient trade
route at the southern end of the Jezreel Valley. There
Jacob's sons brought his flock to graze (Genesis 37:17)
and Joseph was sold to the passing Ishmaelite Midianites.
Excavations have uncovered walls, private houses and tombs
from the Canaanite and Israelite periods. Beit-Shean
(Beisan): Historic city (Joshua 17:11) in the fertile
Beit-Shean Valley. During the reign of Saul, the Philistines
occupied the city. Excavations have uncovered eighteen
levels of habitation in Beit-Shean.
14th
Day - Taanach: Canaanite
city. The King of Taanach was defeated by Joshua (Joshua
12: 12). The city figures importantly in connection with
Deborah (Judges 5:19). A pillared building has been found
a cuneiform tablet in Ugaritic and an early Israelite
high place. Megiddo:
Ancient Canaanite and Israelite city on the southern side
of the Jezreel Valley. Excavations have revealed the existence
of over 20 levels. The major visible structures are the
gate area, a water installation, and a stable complex
to the south, a silo and fortifications. Megiddo was captured
in King David's time. Solomon fortified the city (I king
9:15) and a large palace was built - probably the residence
of Solomon's governor. Stables with feeding troughs are
attributed to the time of Ahab. In the Israelite Period
a water installation was built. A small museum at the
tel shows the history of Megiddo. Hammath
(Hammath-Dor): A "place of hot springs", as its name indicates,
which is mentioned in the Bible (Joshua 19:35).
15th
Day - Hazor: In Joshua's
time (Joshua 11:10-13), Hazor was rebuilt by Solomon at
the same time as Megiddo and Gezer (I Kings 9:15). Hazor
is divided into an upper and a lower city. Hazor -Upper
City: Solomon's Gate, a large storehouse, the House of
Omri, underground water system, fortifications.
Hazor - Lower
City: Towers and three parts of pilasters. Four super-imposed
temples were found. Dan:
City from Biblical times in the Huleh Valley, near the
sources of the Jordan River. Originally Dan was called
Laish in the story of Abraham in the Bible (Genesis 14:14).
Excavations uncovered strong fortifications, a monumental
city gate and a paved street (lOth century B.C.E.).
Achzib:
Ancient Canaanite harbor (Joshua 19:29) (Judges 1:31).
Tombs from the time of the Israelite Monarchy and fortifications
have been discovered here. Tel
AI-Samak: A tel south of Haifa, identified
with the town of Shikmonah (Deuteronomy 1:1). Excavations
revealed remains from the loth and 9th centuries B.C.E.
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