Saturday, March 21, 2009

Abraham's Gate Reopens in Israel


The nearly 4,000 year-old "Abraham's Gate" at Tel Dan in northern Israel has been reopened to the public after a decade-long restoration project, the Israel Nature and Parks Authority said Wednesday.

Located in a nature reserve at the foot of Mount Hermon and the Golan Heights, the ancient structure, which is believed to have been constructed around 1750 BCE, during the Canaanite Period, is made of mud-bricks.

The gate, which could be named a World Heritage Site by UNESCO later this year, has been named after the Biblical patriarch since some people speculate it may have been used by Abraham during the rescue of his nephew Lot.

And there came one that had escaped, and told Abram the Hebrew; Genesis 14:13

The gate, which is composed of three arches and constructed of sun-dried mud brick on a foundation of large basalt stones, has been restored to its original height of seven meters, the state-run authority said.

The arches of the gate are believed to be the oldest ever found in Israel.
"The exposure of the gate to the public at large is a holiday for anyone who holds dear the preservation of heritage in the State of Israel," said Eli Amitai, Director General of the Israel Nature and Parks Authority.

The preservation work at the site was carried out in conjunction with the state-run Israel Antiquities Authority.

The site has recently become an attraction for Christian pilgrims. Source

Tag: Abraham's Gate

No comments:

Post a Comment

Print Friendly and PDF