Geshurite Fortress From King David's Era Discovered In Golan Heights

Israel365 ^ | Wednesday, November 11, 2020 | unattributed

[SunkenCiv]

The archaeologists consider that the fort was built by the kingdom of Geshur, the ally of King David, in order to control the region. The excavation was undertaken prior to the construction of a new neighborhood in Hispin, and funded by the Ministry of Housing and Construction and the Golan Regional Council, with the participation of many residents of Hispin and Nov, and youth from the pre-military academies at Natur, Kfar Hanasi, Elrom, Metzar and Qaztrin.

According to Barak Tzin and Enno Bron, excavation directors on behalf of the Israel Antiquities Authority, "The complex we exposed was built at a strategic location on the small hilltop, above the El-Al Canyon, overlooking the region, at a spot where it was possible to cross the river. The c. 1.5 m wide fort walls, built of large basalt boulders, encompassed the hill. In the excavation, we were astonished to discover a rare and exciting find: a large basalt stone with a schematic engraving of two horned figures with outspread arms. There may also be another object next to them."

...The fortified city of Bethsaida is considered by scholars, to be the capital of the Aramean Kingdom of Geshur, that ruled the central and southern Golan 3000 years ago. According to the Bible, the kingdom upheld diplomatic and family relations with the House of David; one of David's wives was Maacah, the daughter of Talmi, King of Geshur.

Cities of the Kingdom of Geshur are known along the Sea of Galilee shore, including Tel En Gev, Tel Hadar and Tel Sorag, but sites are hardly known in the Golan. This unique fortified complex raises new research issues on the settlement of the Golan in the Iron Age.

[SunkenCiv]

• Searching for Bethsaida: The Case for Et-Tell [and The Case for El-Araj] [2020]
• Lost Church of the Apostles where Jesus' disciples once lived 'finally found' [2019]
• Whoa, Bethsaida! Archaeologists May Have Found Peter's Home Town [2017]
• Archaeologists Are Excavating A Synagogue Where Jesus Likely Preached [2014]
• Researchers Find Rare Coin, Other Artifacts at Bethsaida Dig Site [2014]

[SunkenCiv]

[CaptainPhilFan]

Amazing!!

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[EliRoom8]

Interesting facts about where the fort was located.

[SJackson]

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