Shechem, Ancient settlement in West Bank
Shechem is an ancient settlement in the West Bank situated between Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizim, where excavators uncovered multiple layers of foundations, streets, and public buildings. The site extends over a wide area with visible remains of walls, gates, and courtyards that show the growth of the city through the centuries.
The settlement emerged in the 4th millennium BCE and was later developed by Canaanite inhabitants into a fortified city with earthen ramparts. Over the following centuries, rulers changed hands multiple times, and each group left its own building traces and alterations to the layout.
The name of the settlement appears in ancient religious texts and continues to be recognized by people of different faiths as a historical reference point. Visitors walking among the stone foundations and walls can see how residents in ancient times organized their neighborhoods and places of worship.
The site is accessible via unpaved paths, and information panels at several points explain the significance of the excavated structures. Sturdy footwear is advisable because the ground can be uneven and distances between different sections can be considerable.
Excavations uncovered a city gate with two massive towers built in the 17th century BCE, now considered one of the best preserved examples of this type of construction. The gate shows clearly how defensive systems looked in the Bronze Age and how they controlled access to the city.
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