Gath, Archaeological site in southern Israel
Gath is an archaeological site in southern Israel that spreads across several excavation areas showing remains of walls, gates, and residential quarters. The site sits on a hill overlooking the surrounding lowlands and includes layers from different eras stacked one above another.
The settlement began in the early second millennium before our era and grew into one of the main power centers in the region. The city saw its decline in the ninth century before our era after a major conflict with a neighboring kingdom.
The excavation area welcomes local school groups and volunteers who join the ongoing work during summer months. Finds from the site show pottery and tools that reflect how people lived their daily lives in this region thousands of years ago.
Access to the site follows a marked path from the parking area, with sturdy footwear recommended because of uneven ground. The best visiting times are early morning or late afternoon when temperatures are more moderate and the light brings out the ruins better.
Among the finds are inscriptions in an ancient script that count among the earliest evidence of writing in this region. The excavated fortifications rank among the most massive city walls known from this time period in the eastern Mediterranean.
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