Archaeologists from the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) have announced the discovery of the oldest known gate in Israel, a 5,500-year-old stone and mud-brick passageway to the ancient city of Tel Erani. The gate was uncovered near the central city of Kiryat Gat, during a survey of the area before laying a new water line. The gate is part of a fortification wall that surrounded the city, which was one of the first examples of urbanization in Israel.
The gate is impressive in its size and construction, as it was built from both mud bricks and large monolithic stones, some of which are bigger than a human. The gate has two chambers on each side, and a paved courtyard in front of it. The gate was probably used for both defense and ceremonial purposes, as it was the main entrance to the city.
Tel Erani: an early urban center
Tel Erani is an archaeological site that dates back to the Early Bronze Age, from around 3,300 BCE to 2,500 BCE. It covers an area of about 150 dunams (37 acres), and was inhabited by thousands of people. The site shows evidence of urban planning, such as streets, public buildings, drainage systems, and social stratification. The city was also connected to trade networks that spanned across the region, as evidenced by the presence of pottery and metal objects from Egypt, Syria, and Anatolia.
Tel Erani is considered one of the earliest urban centers in Israel, and its discovery has challenged previous assumptions about the origins of urbanization in the region. Until now, experts had believed that urbanization began around 5,200 years ago, based on the age of the oldest known gate in Israel at Tel Arad, near Beersheba. However, the new discovery at Tel Erani pushes back the date of urbanization by several centuries, to around 5,500 years ago.
The significance of the discovery
The discovery of the gate at Tel Erani is not only important for understanding the history of urbanization in Israel, but also for shedding light on the cultural and social changes that occurred during the Early Bronze Age. According to Dr. Yitzhak Paz, an IAA archaeologist and a researcher at Tel Aviv University, the gate reflects a transition from a rural society to a complex urban society, with political and economic hierarchies.
“It’s the first time people are living inside city walls,” Paz said in a video about the discovery. “It’s a very important change in human history.” Paz added that the gate also indicates a shift from a polytheistic religion to a monotheistic one, as it was probably dedicated to a single deity or ruler.
The discovery of the gate at Tel Erani is also significant for preserving the cultural heritage of Israel, as it is one of the few sites that have survived from the Early Bronze Age. The site is currently under threat from development and looting, and the IAA is working to protect it and raise awareness about its value. The IAA plans to backfill the gate with soil to prevent damage from weather and vandalism, and hopes to eventually open it to the public.
