At a site in Israel, archeologists are calling the uncovered remains of a gate the entrance to the Biblical city of Gath. Gath was once the largest city in the region. Archeologists have been working at the site since 1899, but they were unaware of the size of the remains.
The town of Gath was occupied until the ninth century B.C. In biblical accounts, the Philistines — the mortal enemies of the Israelites — ruled the city. The Old Testament also describes Gath as the home of Goliath, the giant warrior whom the Israelite King David
felled
with a slingshot.
The new findings reveal just how impressive the ancient Philistine city once was, said lead archaeologist of the current excavation, Aren Maeir, of Bar-Ilan University in Israel.
The gates were uncovered in Tell es-Safi. The size and mentions in the biblical text suggest the remains belong to Gath. Many scholars believe Gath was destroyed by Hazael, King of Aram Damascus, in 830 B.C.
Due to the size of the walls, it could take several seasons to fully uncover them.
Enthusiasts and the archeological society anxiously await more news in months to come.
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