Excavation and conservation work has begun at the ancient site of Sebastia in the West Bank after a 12-year hiatus, as part of the government's decision to establish a national park at the location. The works were inaugurated on Monday morning.
“Sebastia is one of the most important archaeological sites in Israel, which served as the capital of the Kingdom of Israel during the biblical period, and is mentioned many times in the Bible,” said Uzi Greenfeld, the Samaria District Archaeologist on behalf of the Archaeology Division and the Civil Administration. The excavations at Sebastia will be led by Greenfeld.
Sebastia, known in Hebrew by its biblical name Shomron, is thought to have been the capital of the northern Israelite kingdom in the 9th and 8th centuries BCE and is referred to as "the cradle of the homeland of the Jewish people." Among the finds at the site are the remains of the royal palace of the Kingdom of Israel and the western wing of the fortress of the Kings of Israel from the days of Omri and Jehu, uncovered in previous excavations.
“Sebastia is one of the most important sites in our national and historical heritage. Establishing the National Park of Samaria at the site is a significant step in preserving the Jewish and cultural heritage of the Land of Israel,” stated Israeli Minister of Heritage Amihai Eliyahu. He added, “We intend to invest considerable resources to expose the historical treasures buried here and make them accessible to the general public.”
“Today, finally, a historic justice is taking place: We have begun excavations at the site of Sebastia—the capital of the ancient Kingdom of Israel and the beating heart of Jewish history,” said Idit Silman, the Minister of Environmental Protection.
“As part of the plan to establish the national park, which is being carried out by the Archaeology Division in the Ministry of Heritage in cooperation with the Ministry of Environmental Protection, extensive excavation and conservation works will be carried out, infrastructure development, and upgrading the information system at the site,” emphasized Yossi Dagan, the head of the Samaria Regional Council. He added, “The plan will allow for the exposure of additional finds and present to visitors the historical and archaeological wealth of the place.”
The excavations mark the beginning of efforts to rescue the site and turn it into a national park that attracts visitors. The work, starting from the gate of the ancient city, is expected to expand later towards the location of the palace of the Kings of Israel. The goal is to make Sebastia an attraction for hundreds of thousands of visitors a year.
Chaim Katz, the Minister of Tourism, welcomed the start of the work in Sebastia, following a government decision that was promoted with a budget of about 32 million shekels for the rehabilitation of the historical site.
In addition to the work for establishing the national park, the Ministry of Heritage will invest about 4 million shekels in the restoration and renovation of the ancient railway station near Sebastia, as part of a comprehensive effort to develop heritage tourism in the area.
This initiative follows a government decision made two years ago, led by the Ministries of Heritage, Environmental Protection, and Tourism. The excavations are part of a broader plan to preserve and develop the site, which holds historical and cultural value.
Sebastia has been the site of several archaeological excavations in the past. In 1931, an excavation was conducted involving researchers from five institutions, including Harvard University and the Hebrew University. Findings from that excavation are displayed in the Israel Museum. Among those discoveries was one of the largest theaters in the country, which was built by Herod during the Second Temple period.
The site also includes holy sites for Christianity, including the tomb of John the Baptist. The combined historical importance makes Sebastia a focal point for understanding the region's rich heritage.
The article was written with the assistance of a news analysis system.