Archaeologists unearth Goliath's home

 

 

The entrance gate of the biblical city of Gath of the Philistines has been unearthed by the the Ackerman Family Bar-Ilan University Expedition to Gath.

 

Referred to in I Samuel 21, Gath was the home of the fearsome giant Goliath—who was bested by the diminutive future king of Israel, David—and the largest city in the land from the 10th to 19th century BCE:

 

 

Aside from the gate, a fortification wall was also uncovered, as well as surrounding buildings which include a temple and a building where iron was produced. According to professor Maeir, from the Martin (Szusz) Department of Land of Israel Studies and Archaeology, the discovered city gate is one of the largest that have ever been found in Israel.

 

The excavations are located in the Tel Zafit National Park, in the Judean Foothills. The city of Gath was destroyed by Hazael, the king of Aram Damascus, in around 830 BCE. — Bea Montenegro/TJD, GMA News