New archaeological visitor center opens in Yokneam
The ancient settlement of Yokeneam is mentioned in the Bible as a city of the Levites, located near Megiddo.
By CASSANDRA GOMES-HOCHBERGFindings displayed in the new archaeological center in Yokneam(photo credit: YAEL YOLOVITCH/IAA)
A new archaeology center was established in Yokneam, in cooperation with the Antiquities Authorities and the municipality.An archaeological display presenting dozens of objects discovered in archaeological excavations was launched as part of the new visitor center in the weekend, with artifacts that tell the story of Yokneam from the antiquity to the present.The ancient settlement of Yokeneam is mentioned in the Bible as a city of the Levites, located near Megiddo. Located at the junction of two ancient international trade routes, it was one of the territories conquered by Egyptian Pharaoh Thutmose III during the battle of Megiddo. Archaeological findings in the area dates back from the Early Bronze Age, in addition to ceramic evidences and other artifacts from the Iron Age, Persian, Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, Crusader, up to the Ottoman period. Several springs surround the settlement, which have provided water to its residents, enabling the site to be continuously inhabited for almost 4,000 years.The highlight of the exhibition is a statue of the ruler of Yokneam, dates back to the Iron Age, around the 9th century BC.In addition, the exhibition presents a ritual vessel from the Late Bronze Age."We have been excavating Tel Yokneam since the 1970s, and so far we have found important findings that testify to the glorious history of this place," said Yokneam Mayor Simon Alfasi."We will also set up an archeological park here and turn the city into an attractive tourist site that will be a must for every tourist and traveler," Alfasi added.
