Ashkelon, Southern District, Israel — West Asia (the Levant in the Middle East)

Tel Ashqelon - the Canaanite City

Photographed By Dale K. Benington, April 3, 2019

1. Tel Ashqelon - the Canaanite City Marker

Inscription. The Middle Bronze period, Ashqelon was a prominent port town, founded ca. 1950 BCE, with a population of roughly 15,000. Its inhabitants farmed for a living and exported their agricultural produce - wine, olive oil, wheat, sheep and cattle - to other regions around the Mediterranean. Ashqelon, as a central port located on the ancient Via Maris, was threatened by Egypt, and in ca. 1850 BCE was fortified with a moat, a city wall and arched gates, built of Kurkar rocks and mud-bricks. The stone-built rampart supporting the wall was 45 feet high and 135 feet wide, and encircled the city in a 1.25 mile arch.
The entrance gate into the city consists of a vaulted corridor, with an arched gate at each end. The gate, approximately 7 feet wide and almost 14 feet high, is the oldest known arched gate in existance. It served as an entrance through which passed locals, and oxen-and-donkey carts laden with goods, seafarers and traders.
The excavations in Tel Ashqelon were carried out by a Harvard University team, under the direction of archaeologist Professor Laurence Steiger. The reconstruction of the gate was carried out by the conservation department of the Israel Antiquities Authority.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • Parks & Recreational Areas

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• Settlements & Settlers.

Location. 31° 40.061′ N, 34° 32.952′ E. Marker is in Ashkelon, Southern District. Marker can be reached from T. Ben Amar Street just south of Sderot David Ben Gurion, on the right when traveling south. The marker is located in Ashkelon National Park, along a park walkway, very near the coach bus parking area and to the east of, the Canaanite arched gateway entrance. Touch for map. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 6 other markers are within 18 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies. The Canaanite Fortifications of Ashqelon (a few steps from this marker); The Canaanite City Gate (within shouting distance of this marker); The Sanctuary of the Silver Calf (within shouting distance of this marker); Remains of the Muslim City (within shouting distance of this marker); History of Ashqelon (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); The Day that Saved Israel (approx. 17.1 kilometers away).

More about this marker. In 2019, because I traveled to Israel as part of a tour group, taking pictures of historical markers and recording location information for each marker that I photographed was a difficult assignment. Then too, having two bad knees and walking with a cane made keeping up with my tour group, much less

Photographed By Dale K. Benington, April 3, 2019

2. Tel Ashqelon - the Canaanite City Marker

A close of view, of the illustration of the Canaanite city gate fortifications, that appears on this marker.

recording location information as well, even more difficult. So I am using my Google Map skills, from at home, to provide the needed location information and map coordinates. Anyone that visits these markers is welcomed, and encouraged, to improve on the provided information.

Also see . . .
1. Tel Ashkelon - BibleWalks.com. This is a link to additional information regarding this marker. (Submitted on April 20, 2019, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio.)

2. Ashkelon (BiblePlaces.com). This is a link to additional information regarding this marker. (Submitted on April 20, 2019, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio.)

3. Ashkelon National Park - Wikipedia. This is a link to additional information regarding this marker. (Submitted on April 20, 2019, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio.)

4. Ashkelon & Surroundings - Jewish Virtual Library. This is a link to additional information regarding this marker. (Submitted on April 20, 2019, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio.)

Photographed By Dale K. Benington, April 3, 2019

3. Tel Ashqelon - the Canaanite City Marker

A close of view, of the illustration of the figurine of the Canaanite storm - god Ba'al, that appears on this marker.

Photographed By Dale K. Benington, April 3, 2019

4. Tel Ashqelon - the Canaanite City Marker

View of the marker, looking west, with the Mediterranean Sea in the distant background.

Photographed By Dale K. Benington, April 3, 2019

5. Tel Ashqelon - the Canaanite City Marker

View of the marker, looking south, towards the protected arched gateway entrance to the Canaanite city. Note that the marker is situated just to the right of the park's visitor's viewing platform.

Photographed By Dale K. Benington, April 3, 2019

6. Tel Ashqelon - the Canaanite City Marker

View from behind the park's visitor viewing platform, looking south toward the protected arch gateway to the ancient Canaanite city.

Credits. This page was last revised on April 20, 2019. It was originally submitted on April 20, 2019, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. This page has been viewed 142 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on April 20, 2019, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio.