Tel Megiddo
Site of an ancient city in northern Israel's Jezreel valley / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Tel Megiddo (from Hebrew: תל מגידו), called in Arabic Tell el-Mutesellim, 'Mound of the Governor', is the site of the ancient city of Megiddo (Greek: Μεγιδδώ), the remains of which form a tell (archaeological mound), situated in northern Israel near Kibbutz Megiddo, about 30 kilometres (19 mi) south-east of Haifa, at the western edge of the Jezreel Valley. Megiddo is known for its historical, geographical, and theological importance, especially under its Greek name Armageddon. During the Bronze Age, Megiddo was an important Canaanite city-state. During the Iron Age, it was a royal city in the Kingdom of Israel.
מגידו | |
Alternative name | Tell el-Mutesellim |
---|---|
Location | Near Kibbutz Megiddo, Israel |
Region | Levant |
Coordinates | 32°35′07″N 35°11′04″E |
Type | Settlement |
Part of | Kingdom of Israel, Canaan |
History | |
Abandoned | 350 BCE |
Official name | Biblical Tells – Megiddo, Hazor, Beer Sheba |
Type | Cultural |
Criteria | ii, iii, iv, vi |
Designated | 2005 (29th session) |
Reference no. | 1108 |
Region | Asia-Pacific |
Megiddo drew much of its importance from its strategic location at the northern end of the Wadi Ara defile, which acts as a pass through the Carmel Ridge, and from its position overlooking the rich Jezreel Valley from the west.
Excavations have unearthed 20 strata of ruins since the Neolithic phase, indicating a long period of settlement.[1] The site is protected as Megiddo National Park and is a World Heritage Site.[2]