Nahariya, Israel – 3,400-Year-Old Citadel Uncovered Near Northern Israeli Beach

    1

    Nahariya, Israel – Remains of an ancient Canaanite citadel were discovered off the beach of Nahariya in northern Israel. The remains were discovered in the summer of 2015 and will be integrated in the basement of an apartment high-rise where it will be on display for the public.

    Join our WhatsApp group

    Subscribe to our Daily Roundup Email


    The archeological site was originally discovered during an excavation in 1980. “We carried out more wide-scale excavations at the site in the summer of 2015,” said Nimrod Getzov, co-director of the excavation, told Tazpit Press Service (TPS).

    Getzov, who conducted the excavation on behalf of the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA), commented on the importance of the find. “We were surprised to found out that the findings were much more significant and widespread than we thought,” Getzov told TPS.

    The 3,400-year-old citadel was apparently used as an administrative center that served the mariners who sailed along the Mediterranean coast at the time, according to Getzov and excavation co-directors, Yair Amitzur and Dr. Ron Be’eri.

    Numerous artifacts were discovered in the citadel’s rooms, including ceramic figurines in the form of humans and animals, bronze weapons, and imported pottery vessels. “The findings attest to the extensive commercial and cultural relations that existed at that time with Cyprus and the rest of the lands in the Mediterranean basin,” related the excavation co-directors.

    The remains of the citadel will be integrated into an apartment high-rise with underground parking that will be built at the site. The agreement was reached between Israel Antiquities Authority Director Israel Hasson and Kochav Company Director Danny Kochav.

    “When the Kochav housing company initiated their project, they contacted the IAA,” said Getzov. “An agreement was reached that an excavation would be carried out to save the important archeological findings and to document the parts about to be destroyed before building construction begins.”

    “We then discovered that we could not complete the excavation with our current resources due to the extraordinary nature and quality of the findings,” added Getzov to TPS. “That’s why the plans were changed in coordination with Kochav, where the building will be built on pillars so that it will be possible to continue the excavation in the future.”

    The fortress was destroyed by fire at least four times throughout history. An abundance of cereal, legumes and grape seeds were found in the burnt layers, which are indicative of the provisions that sailors in ancient times would have purchased.

    The excavation will be presented at a joint conference of the Northern Region of the Israel Antiquities Authority and the University of Haifa on Thursday, January 7.


    Listen to the VINnews podcast on:

    iTunes | Spotify | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Podbean | Amazon

    Follow VINnews for Breaking News Updates


    Connect with VINnews

    Join our WhatsApp group


    1 Comment
    Most Voted
    Newest Oldest
    Inline Feedbacks
    View all comments
    savtat
    savtat
    8 years ago

    Fantastic! The earth gives up her secrets. Just amazing.