A 3,000 Year Old Altar Found at the Philistine City Dig

Date: 2011-07-27 Hour: 12:53

A 3,000 old stone altar discovered at the archaeological dig at Tell Es Safi - Gath, city of Philistines, led by Prof. Aren Maeir, of BIU's Department of Archaeology and Land of Israel Studies. The altar was found in the midst of the ruins of the city of Gath, destroyed around 830 BCE, was found within a large private house or a temple and has details reminiscent of the descriptions of biblical alters. This important discovery offers a glimpse into the Philistine and Israelite culture of biblical times, and to their religious practices in particular, and to the close interaction between the two cultures.