Preserving the past and paving the way for progress have come to a crossroads in Israel. Archaeologists discovered what they believe to be the ancient town of Beit Shemesh and what they found there overturned their assumptions about the fate of the ancient city.
The discovery came as part of a project to excavate the area outside the modern city of Beit Shemesh before a new highway expansion comes through the area. The result is an exhibit entitled “Highway through History,” where “significant finds” from the dig will be on display. Also, the project will facilitate a discussion about “how to balance the needs for preservation vs. modernization.
Amanda Weiss, director of the Bible Lands Museum, explained the previous assumptions about the destruction of Beit Shemesh. According to CBN News, she said, “We thought the Assyrians destroyed (it) and it took years for us (the Jewish people) to come back and that everyone left and no one was here. But its not true. And we know it’s not true because we have these finds.”
Yehuda Kaplan, curator of the “Highway Through History” exhibit, told CBN News that they now believe happened at the ancient site. “What they understood from the finds is that after the city of Beit Shemesh was destroyed in the year 701 by Sennacherib the King of Assyria – a very, very famous biblical and historical…
… Read More
Click here to read the rest of the story from our content source/partners – Christian Headlines.