Prehistoric, exotic and remote adventures in Israel
When people think of historical sites in Israel, their minds understandably go to biblical history. Certainly, destinations like Nazareth, the remains of Herod’s palace in Jerusalem, and Golgotha Hill are more than deserving of a visit. However, the rich history of Israel extends much further back than the biblical period, and reveals a fascinating past.
Here are a few of the top prehistoric sites in Israel...
Dinosaur tracks in Beit Zayit
Just a five-minute drive away from Jerusalem lies a pretty, little village named Beit Zayit. This village is perhaps best known for its impressive reservoir and dam, however it’s gaining fascination across the globe for a set of footprints, discovered in the '80s. Beit Zayit is home to what is so far the only known dinosaur track in all of Israel, prints, belonging to an ostrich-like dinosaur called the Struthiomimus. Please note that reservations have to be made to access the site. For low-cost accommodations, both of the HI Jerusalem hostels – the Agron and Yitzhak Rabin hostels – are about a 20-minute drive from Beit Zayit.
Prehistoric caves in Mount Carmel
If the caves of Mount Carmel were good enough for the homo erectus of one million years ago, then they should be good enough for the tourists of today. The Nahal HaMearot or Wadi of the Caves Nature Reserve is Israel’s eighth UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was discovered in 1929 when archaeologist Dorothy Garrod uncovered evidence of a continuous human settlement lasting 800,000 years, spanning from the Acheulian culture of approximately one million years ago to the Natufians culture from around 12,000 BC. HI Haifa hostel will put you in close proximity to this truly wondrous prehistoric location.
The ancient city of Beit She’an
One of the most ancient cities in all of Israel, Beit She’an was first settled 5,000 to 6,000 years ago, and the archaeological remains can be admired in the National Park of Beit She’an. Among the remains are the wall of the city, a theatre that is still used, a public bath house, a Roman temple, a decorative fountain building, a pair of colonnaded streets, a basilica, and a magnificent reconstructed mosaic that boasts the Roman Goddess of Good Fortune handling the Horn of Plenty. And those are only some of the remains that are still accessible. Beit She’an had many conquerors and has remains from many eras. HI Beit She'an has a location in the city of Beit She’an near the National Park.
Anyone truly wishing to uncover the gems of Israel’s history is more than welcome to take a trip back in time, and truly experience how it all began in this exceptionally unique region.
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