The Tel Hebron Archeological Park in Hebron is being refurbished by the Israel Nature and Parks Authority. Located near the Tomb of Jesse and Ruth in the historic area of Hebron, the site’s most striking find is the largest mikvah ever discovered of its kind in Israel. The extensive conservation project is aimed at preserving the mikvah, the large stone walls, oil presses, wine presses, and other archeological findings that date back to the First Temple Period. It is now under Israeli control after decades of struggles with the Muslim Waqf.
Among the artifacts discovered at the site is a LMLK seal, bearing the words “To the King, Hebron.” This pottery fragment dates back to the days of the Jewish kingdom of Judea. Another seal discovered at the site bears the inscription for a man named “Sheftiyahu Ben Semech” in Hebrew of that era.
“Hebron is one of the four holy cities in the country and one of the oldest cities in Israel,” stated Ilan Cohen, who serves as Heritage Supervisor for the Judea and Samaria District at the Nature and Parks Authority. “It is intertwined with Jewish history for many generations,” he said.
Ilya Borda, director of the Tel Hebron site said the project will make the mikveh accessible to visitors and “allow a tangible experience of Jewish lifestyle during this period” as well as preventing it from deteriorating due to weather and age.
The site was originally discovered in 2014 by Dr. Emanuel Eisenberg and Prof. David Ben Shlomo.
NOTES:
- Largest Ancient Mikvah in Israel Period Nears End of Conservation Project – Ynet News
- Largest purification bath in Israel in Tel Hebron preserved and made accessible to visitors
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