At this spot, archaeologists have uncovered no less than 21 layers of settlement from the 3rd millennium BCE to 732 BCE, when the Israelite city that stood here – whose 10th-century BCE gate may have been built by Solomon – was destroyed by the Assyrians. In times of siege, the supply of water was ensured by an extraordinary underground system whose 40m-deep shaft is accessible via a spiral staircase. Excavations are ongoing and signage is excellent. Tel Hatzor has been a Unesco World Heritage site since 2005.
The tel is 7km north of Rosh Pina on Old Rte 90. From Rte 90, get off at Ayelet HaShahar; the access road is about 400m south of the kibbutz.
