Tel Arad, on the outskirts of the modern city of Arad, has both a lower and an upper city. The lower city was inhabited only during the early Canaanite period (3150-2200 B.C.E.). At the time, the 250-acre Canaanite settlement with its 1,200-meter-long wall was one of the largest cities in Eretz Israel. The squares, public buildings, residences, temples, and open areas were all planned down to the last detail. The streets were designed so that the rainwater would run into a reservoir, dug in the lowest section of the city. The residences, all built according to the same plan, consisted of a large open room and a smaller additional room, which was used either as a kitchen or a storage area. The entrance to the house was on one of the short sides of the larger room. Archeologists term homes like this "Aradian" after Tel Arad. The upper city is called "the hill of fortresses" and was initially settled during the Israelite period, which began in 1200 B.C.E. Over the years, a number of fortresses were built here, each on the ruins of the previous one. The fortresses were surrounded by an unusually sturdy wall. In the fortress courtyard, archeologists found an Israelite temple with a sanctuary and a small room which served as the Holy of Holies. The Arad temple is a smaller version of King Solomon's Temple in Jerusalem. Remnants include a meter-high, red-painted gravestone found on the tiled platform of the Holy of Holies; an altar in the courtyard outside the temple; and shards inscribed with the names of priestly families. The fortress stood in different forms until the Persian period (sixth century B.C.E.).

Directions:
At the Tel Arad junction on Route 31 (Arad-Shoket junction), turn north on Route 2808. The park is 2 miles north of the junction.

Average length of visit: 1-2 hours

Best season to visit: Year-round

Hours: April-September: 8:00-17:00 October-March: 8:00-16:00

Telephone (07) 776-2170 Fax: (07) 995-5866 Admission fees: Individual: adults NIS 12, children NIS 6 Groups: adults NIS 11, children NIS 5