Reuven Shavin Israel Guide

What happens when generations of people are living and rebuilding on the same spot for hundreds or thousands of years? Over time, the level rises, forming an artificial mound from accumulated remains- sometimes as many as 25 cities built one atop the other! This phenomena is called a Tel and is mentioned in the Bible: “And the city will be rebuilt on a hill [Tel]” (Jer. 30:8). The Tel we see in the picture belongs to an ancient biblical city called Beit Shean in the north of Israel. The city was inhabited for around 6000 years and according to the bible king Saul was hung on its walls by the Philistines.