This morning (Monday), a historic moment in archaeology took place as excavations began at the Ancient Samaria National Park, one of the few preserved sites from the period of the ancient Kingdom of Israel. The complex project aims to rescue the site and transform it into a national park and visitor center.
Watch the work begin:
A Step Forward in Preserving Israel’s Heritage
The project is led by the Ministries of Heritage and Environmental Protection, following a government decision made about two years ago to restore the site and make it accessible to the public. Minister of Heritage, Amihai Eliyahu, emphasized the site’s historical importance, stating: “Sebastia is one of the most significant sites in our national heritage. Establishing a national park here is a crucial step in preserving the Jewish and cultural heritage of Israel.”
The excavations are currently focused on the area near the gate of the biblical city and are expected to expand toward the ancient palace of the kings of Israel. Previous excavations at the site, conducted by Howard University and other institutions, uncovered unique historical finds, including Herod’s theater and the fortress of the Israelite kings.
“Saving the Cradle of World Cultural Treasures”
Yossi Dagan, head of the Samaria Regional Council, called it a historic day: “When digging in Ancient Samaria, you are literally touching the Bible. Against the barbarism of the Palestinian Authority, we are rescuing sacred places and the cradle of world cultural treasures.”
Minister of Environmental Protection, Idit Silman, also commented on the excavation’s significance: “Today, justice is finally being served. For years, attempts were made to erase our connection to the site, but there is no Palestinian people and, therefore, no Palestinian heritage sites. There is a Jewish people, there is Jewish history, and we have a mission to preserve and pass it on to future generations.”
Tourism Development
Minister of Tourism, Haim Katz, stressed the importance of developing tourism infrastructure in Samaria: “Establishing the national park at Sebastia is part of the Tourism Ministry’s policy to nurture the history of the Jewish people. It represents the largest investment in the area since 2019.”
At this stage, the excavations are concentrated on the biblical city gate, but they are planned to expand to other parts of the site. Uzi Greenfeld, the leading archaeologist from the Civil Administration, noted that this is one of the most important archaeological sites in Israel.
