Tel Arad National Park

Points of Interest

Ancient Water System – A unique water system from the Early Bronze Age.

Remains of a Fortified City – Walls, fortifications, and residential buildings from the Canaanite period.

Israelite Fortress from the Iron Age – A fortress featuring a unique temple, a cultic altar, and a water system.

Night Camp – The Canaanite Khan – A desert lodging complex with enclosed buildings, an area for caravans, and tents.

Concentration of Dark-Brown Iris Blooms – Unique flowering carpets in the loess soil region.

Details

The Canaanite City

Tel Arad is one of the most significant archaeological sites in Israel, documenting the beginnings of urban settlement in Canaan. The city was built in a planned manner, with massive walls, public buildings, and residential houses characteristic of the "Arad House."

Water Reservoir – An advanced water collection system that enabled the storage of rainwater in the city center. During the Israelite period, a 16-meter deep well was added.

Fortifications – A stone wall stretching 1,200 meters and 2.4 meters thick, encircling the city. Towers and gates were integrated along the wall.

Residential Houses – The city’s houses were built in a uniform style with sunken entrances and stone benches along the walls. Some included storage rooms and kitchens.

The Palace – A governmental structure near the water reservoir, where cultic artifacts were found, indicating its religious and political significance.

Canaanite Temples – A cultic complex with several temples, stone steles, sacrificial platforms, and ritual basins, likely dedicated to multiple gods.

Tel of Fortresses – The Israelite Period

During the Iron Age (10th century BCE), a fortified stronghold was built atop the ruins of the Canaanite city, serving as a strategic outpost in the Kingdom of Judah. The fortress was rebuilt six times throughout history.

The Israelite Temple – A one-of-a-kind temple that operated alongside the Jerusalem Temple, consisting of three parts: an inner courtyard, a hall, and a holy of holies. Incense altars and cultic steles were discovered there.

Water System – An advanced water storage complex, including three rock-hewn chambers. Remains of an ancient staircase lead to the reservoirs.

Elishib House – A structure where an archive of Hebrew inscriptions from the 7th century BCE was found, some mentioning priestly family names from the First Temple period.

Night Camp – The Canaanite Khan

The campsite offers lodging in a unique desert atmosphere:

• Enclosed rooms with mattresses and heating.
• 6 equipped guest cabins.
• An area for tents and caravans.
• Restrooms, hot showers, a cooking area, field lighting, and electrical outlets.

Geography

Tel Arad is located at the eastern edge of the Beersheba-Arad Valley, a unique geographical region on the border of the Judean Desert. The nearby Tzalim Stream drains into the Dead Sea, while to the west, the Beersheba Stream flows toward the Mediterranean Sea. The combination of desert and loess soils supports a diverse ecosystem, including unique vegetation like the dark-brown iris.

History and Archaeology

• Canaanite Period (3100–2600 BCE): Arad was a large walled city, a regional economic hub based on agriculture, trade, and hunting.
• Israelite Period (10th century BCE): A Judahite fortress was built as part of the Kingdom of Judah’s fortification network.
• Babylonian Period (6th century BCE): The fortress was abandoned following the destruction of the First Temple.
• Hellenistic Period (4th century BCE): It served as a trade point and an important waystation.
• Roman and Byzantine Periods: The fortress was renovated and used as a military outpost until it was abandoned.

Reasons for Designation as a National Park

• Preservation of an Important Archaeological Site – From the Canaanite and Israelite periods.
• Conservation of Unique Natural Values – Loess soils and desert vegetation.
• Public Accessibility – Combining history, nature, and desert lodging.

How to Get There?

Tel Arad National Park is located in the northern Negev, about a 10-minute drive from the city of Arad. Navigation via Waze: Tel Arad National Park.

Tel Arad National Park is a must-visit destination for all history and nature enthusiasts – a unique travel experience among the remains of ancient cities in the heart of the desert landscape.