Stork Migrating South: Sign of Autumn in Israel

Posted by Sigal Mendelson on September 7, 2009 under Traveling in Israel, Vacations in Israel | Be the First to Comment

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An Enormous 3,700 Year Old Fortification was Exposed in the City of David, Jerusalem Israel

Posted by Sigal Mendelson on September 4, 2009 under Bible History, Israel history, Traveling in Israel | 5 Comments to Read

The fortification rises to a height of c. 8 meters, and it seems that the Canaanites used it to defend the path that led to the spring.

The excavations are being conducted by the Israel Antiquities Authority in the “Walls Around Jerusalem” National Park and are underwritten by the ‘Ir David Foundation’.

A huge fortification more than 3,700 years old, which is ascribed to the Canaanites (Middle Bronze Age 2), was uncovered in archaeological excavations the Israel Antiquities Authority is currently conducting in the “Walls Around Jerusalem” ational Park in the City of David, with funding provided by the ‘Ir David’ Foundation.According to the director of the excavation, Professor Ronny Reich of the University of Haifa, together with Eli Shukron on behalf of the Israel Antiquities Authority, “This is the most massive wall that has ever been uncovered in the City of David, and it rises to a height of 8 meters. We are dealing with a gigantic fortification, from the standpoint of the structure’s dimensions, the thickness of its walls and the size of the stones that were incorporated in its construction. The walls appear to be a protected, well-fortified passage that descends to the spring tower from some sort of fortress that stood at the top of the hill. The construction of a protected passage such as this is a plausible solution that explains the innate contradiction of the situation whereby the spring – which is a source of life from the standpoint of the fortress’ inhabitants in time of emergency – is located in the weakest and most vulnerable place in the area.

Photography Vladimir Neyhin.

The construction of a protected passage, even though it involves tremendous effort, is a solution for which there are several parallels in antiquity, albeit from periods that are later than the remains described here. A small section of the fortification was discovered in 1909, and it has been ascertained in the present excavations that it was part of an enormous wall. This is the first time that such massive construction that predates the Herodian period has been discovered in Jerusalem”.

During this period Jerusalem and the fields around it were an independent political entity with self-rule, similar to its neighbors Shechem to the north and Jericho to the east. Massive walls resembling the one that was just exposed in Jerusalem are known from Canaanite Hebron (Tel Rumeida), Shechem (Tell Balata) and Gezer.

According to Professor Reich, “Even though it would seem we are dealing with impressive fortifications, the walls were after all primarily used to defend against marauding desert nomads who wanted to rob the city. These are the earliest fortifications in the region and they bear witness to the fact that from this point on the settlement had became an urban entity with a ruler who had the capability and resources to build such a structure. A small settlement would have been unsuccessful in organizing such construction”.

The known section of the fortification is 24 meters long; however, it is thought the fortification is much longer because it continues west beyond the part that was exposed, at the top of the hillside. Professor Reich adds, “The new discovery shows that the picture regarding Jerusalem’s eastern defenses and the ancient water system in the Middle Bronze Age 2 is still far from clear. Despite the fact that so many have excavated on this hill, there is a very good chance that extremely large and well-preserved architectural elements are still hidden in it and waiting to be uncovered”.

The fortification was revealed to the public for the first time on September 3, within the framework of the 10^th Annual Archaeological Conference on the discoveries in the City of David.

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Foreign words in Hebrew

Posted by Sigal Mendelson on September 3, 2009 under Learn Hebrew | Read the First Comment

Many English and other “international” words became part of the spoken Hebrew language. So are words originated in the Jewish world, which became “international” Jewish terms, also adopted into the Hebrew language.Typically, when Hebrew student run into these words, they show some difficulty reading it from the text, yet open a big smile as they recognize it. To the Hebrew Alphabet readers, you might enjoy the list of foreign Hebrew words below.

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