Ashkelon National Park, National park and nature reserve in Southern District, Israel.
The national park combines ancient ruins, Mediterranean beaches, and native plant growth along the coastline south of Ashkelon. The grounds spread across several connected areas with clear walking paths that are easy to follow.
The site contains traces from many civilizations, with special importance given to a Middle Bronze Age gate from around 1850 BCE that holds the world's oldest known arch structure. This discovery makes the place an important record of early architectural innovation.
The layered ruins reveal multiple religions that found a place at this site: from temples to churches to mosques. Visitors can see today how different cultures used and transformed the same space over time.
The park offers guided tours, walking paths, and picnic areas so visitors can easily explore different sections. Informational signs at the ruins help people understand the age and meaning of each archaeological area.
Archaeologists discovered one of the largest ancient dog cemeteries in the region with over 1300 carefully buried animals from the Persian period. This unusual collection shows how important dogs were in that ancient society.
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