powered by FreeFind	Afeq - Aphek (Antipatres) 53 pictures     2 minutes HQ video History The settlement in the area began in the Chalcolithic period (4,500-3,000 B.C.). During the Early Bronze Age, (3,100-2,200 B.C.), Aphek was known as a big fortified town. It spread over 120 dunams (about 30 acres), and had public and private buildings. The town's name, Aphek (also known by its full name, Aphek LaSharon), was first mentioned in Egyptian inscriptions, dating from the beginning of the second millennium B. C. Aphek During the Iron Age (586-1,200 B. C.), a tough battle between the Israelites and the Philistines was mentioned in the Book of Samuel: "... and pitched beside Eben-ezer: and the Philistines pitched in Aphek...for there fell of Israel thirty thousand footmen. And the ark of God was taken; and the two sons of Eli... " (I Samuel, 4). During the Hellenistic Period (332-160 B. C.), the place was named Pegai (springs). That name was preserved in the name of the nearby Arab village- Fajah. During Roman Times (9 B. C.), Herod built here a town which he named Antipartris, after his father: "...for he made a monument for his father, even that city which he built in the finest plain that was in his kingdom, and which had rivers and trees in abundance, and named it Antipatris." (The Wars of the Jews I, 21:9). It is mentioned in the New Testament that on Paul's way from Jerusalem to his prison in Caesarea, he and his guards stopped for the night in fortified Antipatris (Acts 23:31). During the Great Uprising (68 A. D.), Vespasian's army destroyed the town, but later, under the Severan dynasty, the town was rebuilt and expanded southward. In 363 A. D., Antipatris was destroyed by an earthquake. From that point on, the settlement was reduced in size and area, remaining only on top of the hill. A fortified structure was built on the ruins of the forum and served as the bishop's residence. At the time of the Umayyad dynasty (661-750 A. D.), another palace was apparently built in that spot. It was called "The Tower of Silent Springs" during the Crusader Period, and its rulers were the knights of Iblin, whose greater castle was located in Mirabel, otherwise known as Migdal Tzedek. At the time of the Ottoman rule, Sultan Salim II ordered to build a castle named Binar Bashi ("Spring Top", in Hebrew translation). The construction of that castle took place from 1571 through 1573. Its traces may be found even in present day. During the British rule, a military camp was built to the east of the castle. When the Trumpeldor Labor Battalion was putting the railroad to Petach Tikva, they set their tents inside the castle's walls. In 1935, a pump house of the water pipeline to Jerusalem was built near the castle. The Ottoman Castle "Binar Bashi" Even today, the power of the castle, and its domination over the old and new roads around it, are rather impressive still. In the castle, traces of three watch towers may be found. A beautiful landscape may be seen from the northwestern tower - the dam of the Yarkon Springs, maintained by Mekorot - the Israeli water company. The Egyptian Governor's Home Among the palaces of Aphek, that one palace is the best preserved. It was built during the Late Bronze Age (1550-1200 B. C.), and was the home of the Egyptian governor of Aphek. Excavations in that site revealed many findings, such as rare scrolls written in cuneiform script, Acadian and Sumerian dictionaries, which were used by the governor's scribes, as well as earthenware, scarabs, and seals. The Roman Town of Antipatris On the outer, southeastern corner of the castle, the main street (The Cardo) of the Roman town may be seen. It was paved during Herod's rule. At the time of the Severan dynasty, the main street of the Roman town was renovated, and paved with large stone slabs. Back then, one could purchase products from the stores on both sides of the street, and enjoy a show at the small theater (Odeon) in the southern part of the Cardo. It was then that the homes of the rich were built, as well as the commercial quarter, An underground pipe system was established in order to channel rain water into whitewashed pools. The site was first excavated in the 30's, by an expedition led by A. Eitan. During the years 1972-1985, the site was excavated again by an expedition from the Archeological Institute of the Tel Aviv University, headed by Prof. Moshe Kochavi. Back to Israel Index