Tel Afula: A Crossroads of History in the Jezreel Valley
- Ofra Morashty
- 22 hours ago
- 2 min read
Afula, often called the "Capital of the Jezreel Valley," has a history stretching back thousands of years. The ancient settlement was concentrated on Tel Afula, a mound covering approximately 30 dunams in the heart of today’s modern city. This location was of great strategic significance, as it sat along the King’s Highway, the ancient trade route linking Egypt with Mesopotamia. The valley’s fertile lands and its key position on this route made it a desirable location for many civilizations over the millennia.
Archaeological Discoveries: Tracing 5,500 Years of History
Excavations at Tel Afula have uncovered evidence of continuous settlement from the Early Bronze Age (about 5,500 years ago) to the Mamluk period (about 500 years ago). Among the most notable discoveries are structures, pottery, and artifacts that shed light on the various cultures that thrived here. The mound preserves layers of history from Canaanite, Israelite, Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, and Islamic periods, revealing the city's ever-changing role in regional politics and trade.
Mention in Ancient Texts
The origins of the name “Afula” remain uncertain. Some scholars link it to the Arab village of Al-Fula, while others believe it could stem from an earlier settlement called Afa or Afal, first referenced in Egyptian texts from the 19th century BCE. Afula also appears on a list compiled by the Egyptian Pharaoh Thutmose III (15th century BCE), further indicating its historical significance.
Afula in the 20th Century: From Village to City
By the early 20th century, Tel Afula had lost much of its former glory. The site was used as a garbage dump by the Arab village of Al-Fula. However, this changed in 1925, when the Kehilat Zion America settlement company purchased the land and laid the foundations for the modern city of Afula. The surrounding fertile fields attracted Jewish pioneers who developed agriculture and industry in the region.
Interestingly, local farmers who took soil from the tel to enrich their fields began uncovering ancient artifacts, providing further evidence of Afula’s deep historical roots.
Afula Today: A City Shaped by Its Past
Modern Afula continues to grow as a regional hub, with a thriving community and a connection to its rich past. While much of the original Tel Afula has been built over, small remnants of the ancient mound still remain. The city’s strategic location in the Jezreel Valley has ensured its continued importance, much as it was in ancient times when traders and armies passed through on their way between great empires.
Afula’s long history, from its Bronze Age settlements to its modern development, is a testament to the resilience and significance of this location. Whether as a trade crossroads in antiquity or a growing city today, Afula remains an enduring symbol of the Jezreel Valley’s historical and agricultural richness.
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