Ashkelon: MRA-ISR-Ash002
Type Sample Item
Sample ID
- MRA-ISR-Ash002
Sample Material Type
- Mural painting
Sample Sub-type
- micro-fragment
Geographic Location
- Country
- Israel
- Place
- Ashkelon
Site/monument
- Israel (ISR)
Ashkelon
Historical note about the site/monument
- Located in the south of Israel on the Mediterranean coast, Ashkelon is remarkable for its long history as a key maritime port. Over its many centuries of use, it was ruled in turn by the ancient Egyptians, Canaanites, Philistines, Assyrians, Babylonians, Greeks, Phoenicians, Hasmoneans, Romans, Persians, Arabs, and Crusaders. The original city was destroyed by the Mamluks in 1270. The current city of Ashkelon was founded a few kilometers away from the ancient site during the late 1400s, and was ruled by the Ottomans and later the British. Not surprisingly, ancient Ashkelon played host to a variety of monuments suiting the tastes and objectives of its various rulers. Among these are the remains of a 4th century Byzantine Church, a 4th century synagogue, 4th and 6th century baths, and an 11th century mosque.
Further reading:
Cross, F. M., & Stager, L. E. (2006). Cypro-Minoan inscriptions found in Ashkelon. Israel Exploration Journal, 129-159.
Israel, Y. I. G. A. L., & Erickson-Gini, T. A. L. I. (2013). Remains from the Hellenistic through the Byzantine periods at the ‘Third Mile Estate’, Ashqelon‘. Atiqot, 74, 167-222.