In a surprising twist of fate, a wildfire that swept through Israel’s Betiha Nature Reserve in late July has unveiled significant archaeological remains believed to be the biblical village of Bethsaida.
Long thought to be lost to time, this site, located along the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee, has been under excavation since 2016 at the official approval of the Israel Nature and Parks Authority. The recent blaze, while devastating to local flora and wildlife, has provided archaeologists with an unprecedented view of structures buried for centuries.
A Village revealed by Fire
The wildfire, which raged for over 17 hours near Amnun Beach, forced the temporary closure of Highway 87 and sent beachgoers fleeing. When archaeologists returned to the blackened landscape, they discovered hundreds of small mounds scattered across the site of el-Araj.
“Each of these mounds is potentially an ancient room,” explains Mordechai Aviam, director of the excavation from Kinneret College. The cleared land exposed stone blocks, fragments, and even a pillar drum, suggesting the presence of public buildings alongside residential areas.
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