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Afek....
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Located in the Sharon Plain, on the outskirts of Petah Tikva, at the headwaters of the Yarkon River,
Aphek was among the earliest (fortified) royal
Canaanite cities. It guarded the Aphek Pass of the
Via Maris. This is the place where the Israelite's suffered one of the most devastating defeats – the loss of the Ark of the covenant to the
Philistines. Paul was taken here on the way to
Caesarea, according to the Acts of the Apostles.
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From the Chalcolithic Period to the
Ottoman Period the place that was previously known as Tell Ras el-'Ain, and later known as Tel Aphek-Antipatris was continuously inhabited. Its location was identified based on numerous
Biblical, Egyptian,
Assyrian, and Roman-Byzantine sources. The Ark of the Covenant had, on numerous occasions, accompanied the Israelites into battle. As they prepared for the first major battle against the
Philistines, they sent word to Shiloh (east of Eben Ezer), that the ark was needed.
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The excavations also revealed a
MB II palace and several pottery kilns, a LBA-built tomb and two wine presses, and Iron Age private houses as well as major parts of
Roman Antipatris including its
cardo, forum and theater. Preliminary excavation reports of the Tel Aviv University expedition have dealt with all the written material unearthed as well as a large part of the initial
Middle Bronze Age pottery. |
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Canaanite inscrpition in cuniform language |
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Today, as you approach Tel-Aphek from the road, you can see the remnants of the impressive
Ottoman fortress, Binar Bashi, which was built in 1571. Once on the site, in addition to the fortress you can also see the remains of an
Egyptian Governor's palace (dating to 1200-1550 BCE) and make out the remains of the ancient
Cardo (main street), of the
Roman city of Antipatris.
Herod the Great built Antipatris to honor his father, Antipater. The city of Antipatris was destroyed in the earthquake of 363 and was the site of many battles between the Jews and the
Romans. Afek is not one of the most important tells
visited by the tourists. But in Twins Biblical Ministries we take student
who studied the bible to visit. |
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