(PHOTO: Tel Hevron excavation site being prepared for
visitiors.)
visitiors.)
The excavations are complete and the official inauguration is scheduled
for Hebron’s newest archaeological garden. The event will take place Tuesday
October 16, 2018 at 6:00PM.
for Hebron’s newest archaeological garden. The event will take place Tuesday
October 16, 2018 at 6:00PM.
Tel Hevron has always been known as one of the oldest sections of the
city, but the 2014 excavation by the Israeli Antiquities Authority took the site to
another level by uncovering mikvot, wine presses and
pottery.
city, but the 2014 excavation by the Israeli Antiquities Authority took the site to
another level by uncovering mikvot, wine presses and
pottery.
By 2016, the area which was once strewn with garbage after years of neglect
was finally cleaned up and guard railings and paths installed. The excavations, led
by archaeologists Prof. Emanuel Eisenberg and Prof. Shlomo Ben-David, revealed
Jewish life in Hebron dating back to the second Temple period, from which there has
been no known prior research. Two impressive and elegant mikvot [ritual baths] were
discovered, evidence that the residents believed in maintaining the laws of ritual
purity.
was finally cleaned up and guard railings and paths installed. The excavations, led
by archaeologists Prof. Emanuel Eisenberg and Prof. Shlomo Ben-David, revealed
Jewish life in Hebron dating back to the second Temple period, from which there has
been no known prior research. Two impressive and elegant mikvot [ritual baths] were
discovered, evidence that the residents believed in maintaining the laws of ritual
purity.
Facilities next to the ritual baths were discovered for the manufacturing of
wine, oil and pottery, which attests to agricultural products being produced on
an industrial scale.
wine, oil and pottery, which attests to agricultural products being produced on
an industrial scale.
The proximity of the mikvot next to the wine presses gives reasonable
evidence that the wine was sent to the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. Hebron has been
known since antiquity for its superior soil and weather conditions for grape
harvesting.
evidence that the wine was sent to the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. Hebron has been
known since antiquity for its superior soil and weather conditions for grape
harvesting.
Tel Hebron, known in Arabic as Tel Rumeida, is home to the Tomb of Jesse and
Ruth, an ancient stone structure that has been revered for generations. The
2014 discoveries are located behind the Tomb of Jesse and Ruth complex on the
hillside near the ancient “Cyclopean wall.”
Ruth, an ancient stone structure that has been revered for generations. The
2014 discoveries are located behind the Tomb of Jesse and Ruth complex on the
hillside near the ancient “Cyclopean wall.”
This ancient wall was discovered during the Hammond excavations which
took place between 1963 to 1966 by Professor Philip C. Hammond of the American
Expedition to Hebron. The excavations took place on the southern side of Tel Hevron
(mound) and also uncovered the King’s Seal, an artifact with
the words “To the King, Hebron, in ancient Hebrew.
In 1999, the Tel Hebron Excavations took place from April to September
and uncovered a flight of stone steps believed to be 4,000 years old.
Archaeologist Emanuel Eisenberg, from the Israeli Antiquities
Authority postulated that the original gate of ancient Hebron might be found by
digging under the present day street where the stairs end. This may be the gates of
Hebron mentioned in the Bible where Abraham purchased the Cave of Machpela and
surrounding field for the Jewish people as stated in Genesis chapter
23.
took place between 1963 to 1966 by Professor Philip C. Hammond of the American
Expedition to Hebron. The excavations took place on the southern side of Tel Hevron
(mound) and also uncovered the King’s Seal, an artifact with
the words “To the King, Hebron, in ancient Hebrew.
In 1999, the Tel Hebron Excavations took place from April to September
and uncovered a flight of stone steps believed to be 4,000 years old.
Archaeologist Emanuel Eisenberg, from the Israeli Antiquities
Authority postulated that the original gate of ancient Hebron might be found by
digging under the present day street where the stairs end. This may be the gates of
Hebron mentioned in the Bible where Abraham purchased the Cave of Machpela and
surrounding field for the Jewish people as stated in Genesis chapter
23.
Prof. Eisenberg returned in 2014 and helped uncovered the mikvah, olive
oil presses and wine presses which are being officially unveiled this
month.
oil presses and wine presses which are being officially unveiled this
month.
Speaking at the event in a “TED Talk” style lecture series will
be:
be:
* Prof. Gershon Bar-Kochba, author of the recently published
Inscription: Stone, Wood and Copper in the Cave of the
Patriarchs
Inscription: Stone, Wood and Copper in the Cave of the
Patriarchs
* Noam Arnon, author of HaMaarah: Discoveries and Studies at the
Cave of Machpela
Cave of Machpela
* Prof. David Ben Shlomo of Ariel University, co-director of the
excavation
excavation
A musical performance by world-renown Israeli singer David Dor will take
place.
place.
The ceremony will be presided over by:
* Avraham Ben Yosef, head of the Hebron municipal committee
* Member of Knesset Uri Ariel, Minister of Agriculture and Rural
Development
Development
* Member of Knesset Eli Ben-Dahan, Deputy Minister of
Defense
Defense
* Shaul Goldstein, Head of the Israel Nature and Parks
Authority
Authority
Cost of the event is a nominal 20 NIS. The event is sponsored by the Israel
Antiquities Authority, the Israel Nature and Parks Authority, and the Jewish community
of Hebron.
Antiquities Authority, the Israel Nature and Parks Authority, and the Jewish community
of Hebron.
Tuesday October 16, 2018, 6:00PM, in Tel Hevron.
To register call 02-996-5333 or visit
https://tickchak.co.il/2886?ref=13Bw
https://tickchak.co.il/2886?ref=13Bw
VISIT HEBRON TODAY!
United States contact info:
http://www.hebronfund.org
1760 Ocean Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11230
718-677-6886
info@hebronfund.org
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/hebronofficial
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/hebronfund
Israeli contact info:
http://en.hebron.org.il/
02-996-5333
office@hebron.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hebron.machpela
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/hebronvideo
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