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A 3,200-year-old fortress dating to the era of the biblical Judges has reopened to the public following a NIS 400,000 (£96,000) restoration project in southern Israel.
Gal’on Fortress, located in the Guvrin Forest in the Judean Lowlands, has undergone conservation, excavation and accessibility improvements by the Jewish National Fund (KKL-JNF) and the Israel Antiquities Authority.
The site, dating to the 12th century BCE, offers a glimpse into the conflicts between Canaanites, Israelites and Philistines described in the Book of Judges, archaeologists said.
Dr Saar Ganor and Dr Itamar Weissbein, who excavated the fortress for the antiquities authority, said it occupied a strategic position overlooking a main route linking the coastal plain with the Judean Lowlands.
At the time, Egypt still controlled Canaan, but the emergence of the Israelites and Philistines brought new rivalries and territorial struggles. The fortress may have been built by the Canaanites or Egyptians in response to the changing political situation.
The restoration included preserving the structure, highlighting its rooms and installing visitor facilities, including parking, picnic areas and an accessible path for people with disabilities.
The fortress first opened provisionally six years ago, with the latest work intended to improve its conservation and visitor experience.
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