Beit She'an

Beit She'an lies in northern Israel and is an archaeological site with remains from several ancient periods. The ruins stretch across an extensive area with visible foundations, columns, and paved streets surrounded by residences and public buildings.

In the 5th century before our era Phoenician traders settled here before the city fell under Roman rule. After an earthquake in the 8th century the city was largely abandoned and fell into oblivion.

The name refers to a religious meaning that extended across different epochs. Visitors today still see colonnades and mosaics that testify to busy trade in ancient times and served as a meeting point for merchants and travelers.

The site can be explored on foot and takes at least two hours to cover the main areas. Wear sturdy shoes and bring enough water as shade is scarce in many spots.

Archaeologists found clay tablets here with administrative records documenting trade relations as far as Mesopotamia. These finds show how far the trade routes of that time reached and what goods were exchanged.

Location: Jezreel Subdistrict

Inception: 4000 BCE

Elevation above the sea: -125 m

Website: http://bet-shean.org.il

GPS coordinates: 32.49611,35.49889

Latest update: December 13, 2025 17:02