Restored 12th Century BCE Gallon Fortress Opens to Public

The Gallon Fortress, a 12th-century BCE archaeological site located in the Guvrin Forest, has reopened to visitors following extensive restoration work. The fortress, first opened to the public six years ago, underwent renovations costing 400,000 shekels. "The fortress allows us to peer into the geopolitical reality of the Judges' era," explained Saar Ganor and Itamar Weissbein, co-directors of excavations from the Israel Antiquities Authority. They noted that in the early 12th century BCE, Canaan was still under Egyptian control, but the emergence of the Israelites and Philistines led to conflict. The strategically positioned fortress, which controlled a main road from the coast to the Judean lowlands, is believed to have been an attempt by Egyptians or Canaanites to manage this new situation. The surrounding forest, planted in 1963 and covering approximately 440 hectares, is part of the site's development. The Jewish National Fund (JNF) contributed to the site's enhancement by adding tourist infrastructure, including parking, paths, and signage. "Archaeology is not limited to discovering antiquities. It is equally important to ensure their preservation for future generations," stated Ami Shahar, Deputy Director of the Israel Antiquities Authority. He highlighted the fortress as an example of successful collaboration between the Antiquities Authority and the JNF, which began during the excavation phase and continues.