powered by FreeFind	Lakhish Barrow 62 pictures     3 minutes HQ video Lakhish Barrow is one of the biggest, most important barrows from Bible times. The barrow is 124 acres of size, and is part of a 3000 acres of Tel Lakhish (Tel=Barrow) National Park. Route 35 (Kiriyat Gat- Tarkumiya) leads there; making a left at Lakhish Junction toward Moshav Lakhish, a little before the entrance to the Moshav, making a left (turning east), to the parking lot. Lachish Lakhish was a major city in the southern part of Israel, both in the Canaanite periods, and in the time of Judah Kingdom. It is located in the southwestern part of Judah region- at the end of the Shfela region, near Lakhish river, along which stretched the main road from the Shfela to the mountain ridge. Traces were found on the barrow and near it, from the Neolithic-Ceramic Age, during the Copper Age, and during the first ancient Bronze Age. During the middle and the late Bronze Age (the second millennium, B. C.), Lakhish was one of the major Canaanite towns in Israel. Apparently, the Canaanite town was destroyed by the Israelites in the 12th century B. C. In the 10th century B. C., in the days the United Israelite Kingdom, the town was re-established. Later, when the kingdom was split, Lakhish was the second most important and most powerful town in Judea Kingdom, after Jerusalem. The town was conquered by Sankharieb, the Assyrian king, and his army in 701 B. C., in a tough, gory battle. Following the conquest, the town was annexed, so to speak, assumingly to the control of the Philistine towns. Upon the collapsing of the Assyrian control, Lakhish was return to Judea area. In the last days of Judea Kingdom, the town was rehabilitated and resettled. The town was conquered again, this time by Nebukadnezar, king of Babylon, from 586 through 588 B. C. During the Persian Period, and the Hellenistic Period, the town was yet settled, and apparently, afterwards the town was abandoned. Judea Plain is a green, country area between metropolis Jerusalem and metropolis Be'er Sheva. The Shfela, in general, and Lakhish National Park in particular, are sort of a green passage of open fields- both natural and agricultural- processed by man. The region links the mountains of Judea and the southern part of Israel, being sort of a passageway for wild animals and plants from the south to other parts of the country. This area, therefore, is of great ecological importance. At the end of the winter, and in the spring, the National Park and the Hill are covered with green grass and various spring flowers. The Mound of Besiegement The name for a mound of earth and stones which the Assyrian forces poured in order to break through the walls of the town. Apparently, this is the most ancient earth mound known in the Middle East. The British team, excavating the site in the years 1932-1938, found arrowheads and traces of fire, indicating the tough battle taking place there. The traces of the drainage stretch pass from that point to the entrance. Town Gates The town gate consisted of an outer gate, and an inner gate. The outer gate was built downhill, protruding from the slope. The inner gate was built on the side of the hill. It was a huge structure, probably the biggest gate structure in Israel at the time. The opening was between two towers being the edges of the wall, with three elongated halls on each side. The Chamber of Letters The "Letters of Lakhish" were found in one of the chambers mentioned above. These letters are considered one of the most important written evidences discovered in Israel- ostracons, earthenware, engraved with ancient Hebrew letters (Da'atz). The letters were written by a man named Hosha'aya, to an esteemed person, or a military commander named Yaush. The letters were written in order to justify Hosha'aya's deeds in the eyes of his masters, and in the eyes of the king. There are two claims regarding the letters' nature. First, those letters are the original letters sent by Hosha'aya, who was settled in one of the castles located between Azaka and Lakhish, writing to the Lakhish commander. Second, those earthenware are a draft, and the letters were copied to a papyrus, sent to Yaush in Jerusalem. Currently, most of the letters may be found in the London British Museum, and a few of them may be found in Israel Museum, Jerusalem. Main Street The road leading from the gate to the interior of town, as well as the palace. Traces of small houses and stores were discovered on the sides of the street. Many clay vessels were discovered here: pots, hoarding pitches, candlesticks, various vessels made of stone, metal, and bones. Observatory Of Hebron Mountains, The south of the Sh'fela, and Syrion Height. Also, of the Besiegement Mound, and the one across, built by those who made stronghold there. The Palace Courtyard A big courtyard whose floor was made of mud. It was the main entrance to the palace. From it, a fancy stairwell led to the doors of the palace. The traces of the stairs were covered in order to be preserved, and they are under the stairs built following the excavations of the site. The Palace The residence of the town governor, selected by the King of Judea. It views the whole area from the coast area of Israel (Mishor HaHof), to Hebron Mountains. This fact made the control over the area easier. Also, due to this fact, establishment of remote connections became easier. The palace was more than 2.5 acres of size, and was the biggest, most massive palace known in Israel of those times. There are traces of three palaces in the area, built one on top of the ruins of the other, the most ancient of them being the base. The supply house was located north of the palace. In between the southwestern corner and the city wall, a massive wall was built, which was called "the wall of the site", apparently for further fortification of the palace. Two bases of columns of the palace from the Persian period (besisey amudim) may be seen. The Persian palace was built later on. Observatory- The Moat Temple and The City Walls The Moat Temple was a temple of rite, first built during the late Bronze Age, in the 13th century B. C. In the temple, there were a hall and several rooms. The altar was built in the hall, and benches were built next to it for placing the offerings. The British team who excavated there, found many vessels, such as decorated earthenware vessels, a Mycanic (sp) mug, ritual articles, vessels made of alabaster and glass, small figurines, and ivory-made objects. "Tree of Demons" The jujube tree, is the only tree remained on the barrow, assumingly, due to its being holy to the people of Kubeba, the Arab village that was located near the barrow until 1948. The British team members mentioned that there were many trees around, used for setting fire. According to the legend, the villagers would send their children to bring water from the well, and in order to have them return quickly, the parents would tell the children that there is a demon who lives inside the tree, and he guards the well. Therefore, bringing water from the well became some sort of a "courage test". The Well The well was discovered by the British team, near the outer back up wall. It is about 44 m deep, and apparently, it was the town's main source of water. Thanks to it, the people of Lakhish managed to withstand the besiegement. The water came to the wall from Lakhish River. Scenes from the Battle of Lakhish Back to Israel Index