Archaeological sites in Northern Israel

The Holy Land has seen many civilizations come and go over thousands of years leaving a wealth of archaeological treasures. In northern Israel, the archaeological sites include Rujum al-Hiri, a Stonehenge-like circle of stones, dating back about 5,000-6,000 years. In Capernaum, a biblical-era fishing village established under the Hasmoneans has been excavated along with two ancient synagogues. This would have been where Jesus based himself during his ministry. On the north-western shore of the Sea of Galilee is Magdala, the site of a 1st-century town, and according to Christian tradition the hometown of Mary Magdalene.

Beit Shean is among the top archaeological sites in northern Israel, it consists of an entire ancient Roman city complete with temples, an amphitheater, and bathhouses. At Tel Megiddo archaeologists have uncovered 20 layers of successive civilizations dating from 7000-332 BC. At Kursi National Park you can see the remains of a Byzantine-era church and monastery. There are more archaeological sites in northern Israel including Beit Shearim, site of Jewish burial catacombs; Gamla, site of an ancient Jewish village and synagogue; Tel Jezreel, with remains from the Chalcolithic era, and Tsipori, with its mosaic of the “Mona Lisa of Galilee.”