Ancient Tel Shikmona National Park Reopens After Two-Year Renovation
Translated & summarized from Israel Hayom by baba
The Tel Shikmona National Park in Haifa has reopened after a two-year, NIS 3 million renovation, revealing 3,500 years of history including a major purple dye production complex. The site, identified with the ancient city of Porphyreon, was found to be a multi-purpose facility used seasonally for industries like olive pressing and textile production. The project, a collaboration between several institutions, aimed to enhance accessibility while preserving archaeological findings.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Tel Shikmona National Park reopened after a NIS 3 million, two-year renovation project.
- The park contains archaeological findings dating back over 3,500 years.
- The site was a major Iron Age complex for purple dye production.
- Recent research shows the complex was used seasonally for multiple industries.
- The renovation focused on accessibility and preservation of archaeological layers.
The Tel Shikmona National Park in Haifa has officially reopened to the public following a two-year, NIS 3 million renovation project. The site, which contains archaeological findings dating back over 3,500 years, now offers visitors an enhanced experience combining history, sea views, and walking trails.
The extensive refurbishment, funded by the Open Spaces Fund, focused on developing and making the park accessible while meticulously preserving its delicate archaeological layers. The park features a small, multi-layered tell and the ruins of a church adorned with impressive mosaics.
Tel Shikmona is recognized as Haifa's oldest archaeological site, with origins traced to the 15th century BCE. It is identified with the Byzantine city of Porphyreon, known for its production of a valuable purple dye derived from sea snails, a trade that flourished from biblical times through the Byzantine era.
Recent research published in PLOS ONE sheds new light on the site's industrial complex, revealing it as a versatile facility used seasonally. During the 8th century BCE, inhabitants utilized the structures for olive pressing, textile production, and sheep herding, maintaining strict hygiene standards. This Iron Age complex is considered the largest of its kind in the Eastern Mediterranean for purple dye production.
Excavations in 2023, led by a team from the University of Haifa, indicated that during the reign of King Jeroboam II, the site served multiple industries concurrently. The findings suggest spaces were used for olive pressing in the fall, animal husbandry and housing in the winter, and textile work in the spring, alongside the dye production. A planned method of spreading ash layers over animal waste was employed for disinfection and pest control before the areas were reused for industrial activities.
The renovation project was a collaborative effort involving the Israel Oceanographic and Limnological Research Institute, the Israel Nature and Parks Authority, the University of Haifa's Zinman Institute of Archaeology, the Israel Antiquities Authority, and local activists. The work included stabilizing excavation walls, paving pathways, and installing informational signage and seating.