We were on the bus at 8am and headed north to Mount Hazor. This location has what is called a Solomonic gate as evidenced by the three rooms on each side. Israelite stables or storage rooms depending who you talk to had been unearthed and moved to a near location so they could continue to dig. What they found was the palace of a Canaanite king. This is most likely the 'chief of the Caananite cities' that Josuah was instructed to burn as evidenced by a burn layer in the foundation. This is from about 1400BC.
We got to walk down to the water source. Paul felt it was imperative that he go. It was quite an experience, a little creepy going into the cave that was all muddy to see the water level. The adrenaline rush got me back up the stairs without any problem! All along the shaft were the stairs built into the dirt that they would have used to walk to get water for the town.
The temple excavation in Dan.
We saw a temple site that would have been a Byzantine temple first, then built over with a Caananite temple and finally a Jewish altar to God. Stephen talked about the idea of a sacred space.
From there we went to Dan and walked to one of the 17 springs or aquifers that form the headwaters of the Jordan. It was a lovely walk and our guide Stephen Notley gave a very moving talk about his personal journey with God as we gathered by the spring.
Our Group.
This is a bunker from the Six Day War. Just past the road is Lebanon. It is fenced off and cars were patrolling the border.
After lunch we went to Caesarea Philippi. This is the portion of Herod's kingdom given to one of his sons, Philip, after his death. This is the location of a Temple to Pan. It was also thought to be the location of one of Herod's Temples, but that doesn't seem to fit the findings. We saw several hyrax here. They look like beavers without tails from a distance.
We had quite a drive up the mountain in the Golan a Heights. Our goal was this coffee shop frequented by soldiers and tourists. It was great coffee.
Looking over the side into Syria and the location of Canadian peace keepers. Hard to believe we were so close to Syria.
Sorry for the sideways picture!
It was a very interesting day.
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