Timeline of historical events in Israel

Archeology in Israel involves the systematic investigation of all the remains of the country's past - from prehistory to the end of Ottoman rule. The profusion of material remains is evidence of the many cultures that have left their imprint on the Land. This unbroken chain of history can be observed at sites all over the country. Jerusalem, the capital of Israel, has been the focus of extensive archeological activity and remains of 5,000 years of history have been revealed.

BIBLICAL TIMES (17th-6th C. BCE - Before the Common Era)
17th century BCE	Abraham, Isaac, Jacob - patriarchs of the Jewish people and bearers of a belief in one God - settle in the Land of Israel. Famine forces Israelites to migrate to Egypt.
13th century BCE	Exodus from Egypt: Moses leads Israelites from Egypt, followed by 40 years of wandering in the desert. Torah, including the Ten Commandments, received at Mount Sinai.
13th-12th centuries BCE	Israelites settle in the Land of Israel
1020 BCE	Jewish monarchy established; Saul, first king.
1000 BCE	Jerusalem made capital of David's kingdom.
960 BCE	First Temple, the national and spiritual center of the Jewish people, built in Jerusalem by King Solomon.
930 BCE	Divided kingdom: Judah and Israel
Neo-Assyrian and Neo-Babylonian periods (732 ??? 539 BCE)
722 - 720 BCE	Israel crushed by Assyrians; 10 tribes exiled (Ten Lost Tribes).
586 BCE	Judah conquered by Babylonia; Jerusalem and First Temple destroyed; most Jews exiled.
THE SECOND TEMPLE PERIOD (538 BCE - 136 CE)
538 - 515 BCE	Many Jews return from Babylonia; Temple rebuilt.
332 BCE	Land conquered by Alexander the Great; Hellenistic rule.
The Hellenistic period (332 ??? 37 BCE)
166 - 160 BCE	Maccabean (Hasmonean) revolt against restrictions on practice of Judaism and desecration of the Temple
142 - 129 BCE	Jewish autonomy under Hasmoneans.
129 - 63 BCE	Jewish independence under Hasmonean monarchy.
63 BCE	Jerusalem captured by Roman general, Pompey.
63 BCE - 313 CE	Roman rule
The Roman period (37 BCE ??? 324 CE)
37 BCE	Herod, Roman vassal king, rules the Land of Israel; Temple in Jerusalem refurbished
4 BCE	King Herod dies. Herodian Kingdom divided to Tetrarchies under Roman protection.
0 (CE - The Common Era)
20 - 33 CE	Ministry of Jesus of Nazareth
66 CE	Jewish revolt against the Romans
70 CE	Destruction of Jerusalem and Second Temple.
73 CE	Last stand of Jews at Masada.
132 - 135 CE	Bar Kokhba uprising against Rome.
210 CE	Codification of Jewish oral law (Mishna) completed.
Byzantine Period (324 CE - 638 CE)
326-335 CE	Church of the Nativity is built in Bethlehem and Eleona Basilica and Church of the Holy Sepulchre are built in Jerusalem
390 CE	Commentary on the Mishna (Jerusalem Talmud) completed.
614 CE	Persian invasion
628 CE	The area restores to Byzantine rule.
629 CE	Nearly 150,000 Jews are massacred and expelled by Byzantines from Jerusalem and the Galilee.
The Arab Caliphate Period (636 CE - 1099 CE)
638 CE	The conquest of Jerusalem by the armies of the Rashidun Caliphate (Islamic Empire) under Caliph Umar.
691 CE	On site of First and Second Temples in Jerusalem, Dome of the Rock built by Caliph Abd el-Malik.
The Crusader period (Latin Kingdom of Jerusalem 1099 ??? 1291)
1099	First Crusade and the establishment of the Christian Kingdom of Jerusalem.
1147 - 1149	Second Crusade
1191	Third Crusade led by the armies of Richard the Lionhearted.
1260	Battle of Ain Jalut between the Egyptian Mamluks and the Mongols which took place in the Jezreel Valley.
The Mamluk period (1260 - 1517)
1291	Fall of Acre which resulted in the Crusaders loss of their last major stronghold of the Crusader Kingdom of Jerusalem.
The Ottoman period (1517 - 1917)
1517	conquest of Palestine by the armies of the Turkish Sultan Selim I.
1538 ??? 1535	Suleiman the Magnificent restores the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem and the Jerusalem city walls (which are the current walls of the Old City of Jerusalem).
1564	Code of Jewish law (Shulhan Arukh) published.
1860	First neighborhood (Yemin Moshe) built outside walls of Jerusalem's Old City.
1882 - 1903	First Aliya (large-scale immigration), mainly from Russia.
1897	First Zionist Congress convened by Theodor Herzl in Basel, Switzerland; Zionist Organization founded.
1904 - 1914	Second Aliya , mainly from Russia and Poland.
1909	First kibbutz , Degania, and first modern all-Jewish city, Tel Aviv, founded.
The British Mandate period (1917 - 1948)
1917	400 years of Ottoman rule ended by British conquest; British Foreign Minister Balfour pledges support for establishment of a "Jewish national home in Palestine"
1919 - 1923	Third Aliya , mainly from Russia
1920	Histadrut (General Federation of Labor) and Haganah (Jewish defense organization) founded. Vaad Leumi (National Council) set up by Jewish community (Yishuv) to conduct its affairs.
1921	First moshav (cooperative village), Nahalal, founded.
1922	Britain granted Mandate for Palestine (Land of Israel) by League of Nations; Transjordan set up on three-fourths of the area, leaving one fourth for the Jewish national home. Jewish Agency representing Jewish community vis-a-vis Mandate authorities set up.
1924	Technion, first institute of technology, founded in Haifa.
1924 - 1932	Fourth Aliya, mainly from Poland.
1925	Hebrew University of Jerusalem opened on Mount Scopus.
1929	Hebron Jews massacred by Arab terrorists.
1931	Etzel, Jewish underground organization, founded.
1933-39	Fifth Aliya, mainly from Germany.
1936-39	Anti-Jewish riots instigated by Arab terrorists.
1939	Jewish immigration severely limited by British White Paper.
1939 - 1945	World War II; Holocaust in Europe.
1941	Lehi underground movement formed; Palmach, strike force of Haganah, set up.
1944	Jewish Brigade formed as part of British forces.
1947	UN proposes the establishment of Arab and Jewish states in the Land.
STATE OF ISRAEL 1948
1948	End of British Mandate (14 May) State of Israel proclaimed (14 May). Israel invaded by five Arab states (15 May). Israel Defense Forces (IDF) established. War of Independence (May 1948-July 1949).

Source: mfa.gov.il

Archaeological sites in Israel

The Dead Sea Scrolls - online
Now the Israel Antiquities Authority brings you a Digital Library of all The Dead Sea Scrolls online!

Location	Description
Akko	The Maritime Capital of the Crusader Kingdom
Apollonia-Arsuf	A Crusader City and Fortress on the Mediterreanean Coast
Arad	Canaanite city and Israelite citadel in the Negev
Avdat	A Nabatean City in the Negev
Banyas	Cult Center of the God Pan
Be'er Shema	The Church of St. Stephen
Be'er Sheva	Prehistoric Dwelling Sites
Be'er Sheva	Border of the Kingdom of Judah
Beit Alpha	An Ancient Synagogue with a splendid Mosaic Floor
Beit She'an	A Biblical City and Scythopolis- A Roman-Byzantine City
Beit She'arim	The Jewish necropolis of the Roman Period
Beit Shemesh	Biblical city on the border between Judah and Philistia
Belvoir	A Crusader Fortress Overlooking the Jordan Valley
Bethsaida	Ancient Fishing Village on shore of the Sea of Galilee
Caesarea	from Roman City to Crusader Fortress
Capernaum	City of Jesus and its Jewish Synagogue
The Carmel Caves	Dwellings of Prehistoric Man
Cave of the Ereasure	A Hoard of Metal Objects from the Chalcolithic Period
Dan	Biblical City
The Eilat Region	Southern Gateway
Ein Gedi	An Ancient Oasis Settlement
Ein Hatzeva	Fortress on the Border with Edom
Ekron	a Philistine City
Gamala	Jewish City on the Golan
Gezer	A Canaanite City and Royal Solomonic City
Golan	A Unique Chalcolithic culture
Golan	Rogem Hiri
Hamat Gader	Baths of Medicinal Hot Springs
Hatzor	"The Head of all those Kingdoms"
Herodium	King Herod's Palace-Fortress
Jericho	The Winter Palace of King Herod
Jerusalem	Binyane Ha'uma: A Ceramics Workshop of the Tenth Roman Legion
Jerusalem	Burial Sites
Jerusalem	The Citadel
Jerusalem	City of David
Jerusalem	Church of the Holy Sepulcher
Jerusalem	Herodian Street
Jerusalem	Elaborate buildings of the Mamluk Period
Jerusalem	Nea Church and Cardo
Jerusalem	Northern Gate of Aelia Capitolina
Jerusalem	Silver Plaques
Jerusalem	The Church of the Seat of Mary (Kathisma)
Jerusalem	Pomegranate from Solomonic Temple
Jerusalem	Umayyad Center and Palaces
Jerusalem	The Upper City during the Second Temple Period
Jerusalem	Water Systems of Biblical Times
Jerusalem	The Monastery of Martyrius
Jerusalem	Western Wall and its Tunnels
Katzrin	A Village in the Golan
Kiryat Sefer	A Synagogue in a Jewish Village of the Second Temple Period
Kursi	Christian Monastery
Lachish	Royal City of the Kingdom of Judah
Masada	Desert Fortress Overlooking the Dead Sea
Mediterranean coast	Underwater exploration
Megiddo	The Solomonic "Chariot City"
Nahal Refa'im	Canaanite Bronze Age villages near Jerusalem
Nebi Samwil	Site of a Biblical Town and a Crusader Fortress
Negev	Byzantine Churches in the Negev
The Nimrod Fortress	Muslim Stronghold on Golan
Qumran	Center of a Jewish Sect of the Second Temple period and the Dead Sea Scrolls found in Caves nearby
Ramat Rahel	A Royal Citadel and a Palace of the Last Kings of Judah
Ramla	Arab Capital of the Province of Palestine
Sha'ar Hagolan	Neolithic Village
Tabgha	Church of the Multiplication of the Loaves and the Fishes
Tel Qasile	A Philistine Settlement with a Temple
Tiberias	Anchor Church
Tiberias	The Roman Boat from the Sea of Galilee
Timna	Valley of the Ancient Copper Mines
Yodefat	A Town in Galilee
Zippori	Galilee
More Archeological Discoveries
Interesting Archeological Finds (1998)
Recent archeological discoveries - Archeological Sites in Israel - No. 2 (1998)
Recent archeological discoveries - Archeological Sites in Israel - No. 3 (1998)
Recent archeological discoveries - Archeological Sites in Israel - No. 4 (1999)
Recent archeological discoveries - Archeological Sites in Israel - No. 5 (1999)
Recent archeological discoveries - Archeological Sites in Israel - No. 6 (2000)
Recent archeological discoveries - Archeological Sites in Israel - No. 7 (2001)
Recent archeological discoveries - Archeological Sites in Israel - No. 8 (2003)

Source: mfa.gov.il

Historical sites by regions

There are dozens of historical sites in Israel of all periods, from Prehistoric period to the Ottoman period. Below is a list of major regions in Israel, each region includes many historical sites.

Nazareth

The Holy City of Nazareth is the childhood home of Jesus. It is a center of Christian faith and pilgrimage. Nazareth is located in the hills in the center of the Galilee in Northern Israel.

Nazareth
Site name	Prehistoric	Old Testament	Hellenistic	New Testament	Josephus Flavius	Roman, Byzantine, Arabic	Crusader	Mameluke, Turks
B. Annunciation
Mosaics of B.Annun.
Mt Precipice
Mary's Well
St. Gabriel Church
Yafia
Synagogue Church
Greek Catholic
Christ Church
Our Lady of the Fright
Jesus' Table
St Joseph Church

Sea of Galilee

The lake is located in the west side of the Galilee, a major source of water supply, center of tourism, and rich with history. The home town of Jesus was in Capernaum, and where most of his travels and acts were performed in the area.

Sea of Galilee
Site name	Prehistoric	Old Testament	Hellenistic	New Testament	Josephus Flavius	Roman, Byzantine, Arabic	Crusader	Mameluke, Turks
Arbel Cliffs
Magdala
Tabcha
Jesus Boat
Yardenit Baptismal
Capernaum
Orthodox, Capernaum
Tiberias
South Gate
Theater
Tell Rakkath
Horns of Hittim
Tell Kinneret
Khurvat Minya
Hammat Gader
Korazim
Mount of Beatitudes
Bethsaida
Domus Galilaeae
Kursi
Tell Beit Yerach
Hammat Tiberias
Tell Hadar
Job's spring
Hippos / Sussita

Lower Galilee

The Lower Galilee is a region within the North District of Israel. It is a beautiful region full of green Mountains, fascinating sites and, of course, The Sea of Galilee (the Kinneret). It has important religious History, both for Jews and for Christians, as well as some of the most important sites for Zionist History.

Lower Galilee
Site name	Prehistoric	Old Testament	Hellenistic	New Testament	Josephus Flavius	Roman, Byzantine, Arabic	Crusader	Mameluke, Turks
Khirbet Cana
Yodfat
Ammudim
Beer Sheba (Galilee)
Kefar Hannania
Geva
Harithiya
Tell Hannathon
Yiftach-El
Sepphoris
Sepphoris Mosaics
Shimshit

Yizreel Valley

The largest and most fertile valley in Israel, the Yizreel Valley, often called simply Ha-Emek ("the valley"), lies between the Galilee mountains to the north and the Samaria range to the south.

Yizreel Valley (Jezreel )
Site name	Prehistoric	Old Testament	Hellenistic	New Testament	Josephus Flavius	Roman, Byzantine, Arabic	Crusader	Mameluke, Turks
Mount Tabor
Tabor - Franciscan
Tabor - Greek
Tabor - Structures
Tabor - Hang Gliding
Megiddo
Armageddon
Tell Shimron
Migdal Haemek
Tell Sarid
Tell Yokneam
Tell Kassis
Naim
Ein-Dor
Beit Shearim
Catacombs
Bethlehem Galilee
Tell Yizreel
Beit She'an Nights
Beit She'an Overview
Tell Beit She'an
Tell Yifar - Balfouriya
Tell Rechov
Beit Alpha
Tarbenet

Acre

Akko (Acre) represents tumultuous the history of the Land of Israel possibly better than any other city in the country. Akko is a city that has been shaped by the Romans, Ottomans, Crusaders, Mamelukes, Byzantines, and British, and fittingly is today home to a brilliantly coexistent mixed population of Jews, Christians and Muslims.

Acre (Akko)
Site name	Prehistoric	Old Testament	Hellenistic	New Testament	Josephus Flavius	Roman, Byzantine, Arabic	Crusader	Mameluke, Turks
Tell Akko
Khan al-Umdan
Templars tunnel
Hummus
Acre Port
Acre Aqueduct
Knights halls
Acre Citadel
St. John Church
St. Andrews Church
St. George Church
Bahai Sites
Majadele Mosque
Light house

The Western Galilee

Is a small region in Israel's north western corner. Encompassing the Mediterranean Coast north of Haifa and stretching inland toward the Upper Galilee.

West Galilee
Site name	Prehistoric	Old Testament	Hellenistic	New Testament	Josephus Flavius	Roman, Byzantine, Arabic	Crusader	Mameluke, Turks
Shavey-Zion
Nahariyah
Achziv
Shefaram
Shefaram Tombs
Khirbet Ofrat
Kavul
Tell Kisson
Tell Bira
Tell Afek
West Nahal Zippori
Khali
Tell Regev
Tell Par & Kh. Ibtin
Khirbet Sharata
Khirbet Usha
Roman road, Usha
Tell Zavat
Kishon river

Upper Galilee

In the far north of Israel is the Upper Galilee region. Incredibly popular with Israeli's escaping from the city, the Upper Galilee has everything from skiing at Mount Hermon to ancient ruins, nature reserves to Biblical sites, and beauty like you can't imagine.

Upper Galilee
Site name	Prehistoric	Old Testament	Hellenistic	New Testament	Josephus Flavius	Roman, Byzantine, Arabic	Crusader	Mameluke, Turks
Tell Hazor
Tell Yaaf
Montfort
Tell Avdon (Abdon)
Masref
Manot
Suggar
Keshet cave
Mi'ilya
Mi'ilya oil press
Khirbet Beit Uriya
Beit Jan
Khirbet Seraf
Khirbet Mehoz
Khirbet Tefen
Khirbet Heshek
Tell Dan
Tell Kedesh

Golan

The Golan Heights rises up to the east of the Sea of Galilee in the far north east of Israel. Home to some of Israel's most spectacular landscapes, and funnest adventures, the Golan Heights are a land of beauty, far removed from the cities of the center of the country.

Golan
Site name	Prehistoric	Old Testament	Hellenistic	New Testament	Josephus Flavius	Roman, Byzantine, Arabic	Crusader	Mameluke, Turks
Khirbet Kanaf
Em Hakshatot
Yehudiyah
Dolmens
Roman Roads
Bethsaida
E-Dikke
Gamla
Banias (overview)
Banias Stream
Banias Temples
Banias Roman
Banias Crusaders
Nimrod fortress
Omrit

Carmel

Mount Carmel towers over 15 miles of Israel's Mediterranean Coastline between Hadera and Haifa. The Carmel area has always been a symbol of beauty, and is known for its world class prehistoric cave sites, prophet Elijah's area, Roman and Byzantine sites.

Carmel
Site name	Prehistoric	Old Testament	Hellenistic	New Testament	Josephus Flavius	Roman, Byzantine, Arabic	Crusader	Mameluke, Turks
Khirbet Oren
Oren Caves
Carmel Caves
Atlit
Qarta (Dustrey)
Habonim
Haifa
Keren Carmel
Khirbet Dubbah
Elijah's cave
Carmelite Monastery
Stella Maris
Migdal Malcha
Siah Brook
Tel Dor
Shikmona

Jerusalem

Jerusalem is city, special in every sense of the word. A surreal place holy to Jews, Muslims and Christians and therefore significant to over one-third of all people on earth.

Jerusalem
Site name	Prehistoric	Old Testament	Hellenistic	New Testament	Josephus Flavius	Roman, Byzantine, Arabic	Crusader	Mameluke, Turks
Tower of David
Zion Gate
Mount Zion
Western Wall
Southern Wall
Ophel and Hulda
Temple Mount
Al-Aqsa
Dome Rock
2nd Temple gates
Cardo Maximus
Mount of Olives
Basilica of Agony
Yad Avshalom
Tomb of Zechariah
Tomb of Bnei-Hezir
St. Peter Gallicantu
Mary's tomb
Via Dolorosa
Holy Sepulcher
Burnt house
Broad Wall
Augusta Victoria
Monastery of Cross
St. Francis convent
Dormition Abbey
King David's tomb
Last Supper
Armenian, Mt Zion
St. James
St. John the Baptist
St. Anna
Bethesda
Dominus Flevit
Ascension Chapel
Russian ascension
Pater Noster
Golden Gate
New Gate
Lions' Gate
Flagellation
David's harp bridge
Roman roads
Roman streets
Sebils
Sultan's pool
St. Andrew's
Ein Karem
Visitation
Mary's spring
St John BaHarim
Greek Orthodox
Jaffa Gate
Muristan
Light Show
Kh. Tililiya

Sharon

The Sharon is located in the west of the center of Israel, between the hills and the shore. The sites that are grouped here include Caesarea, Jaffa, and other sites in the center of the Country.

Sharon
Site name	Prehistoric	Old Testament	Hellenistic	New Testament	Josephus Flavius	Roman, Byzantine, Arabic	Crusader	Mameluke, Turks
Caesarea
Caesarea Aqueduct
Gilgal (in Sharon)
Benjamin's Tomb
Jaffa
Tell Qaqun

Judea

The region of Judea is named after the Israelite tribe of Judah, which dominated the area through the Iron Age and established the Kingdom of Judah, which lasted until 586 BCE. Today the area is known as Judea and Samaria Area which is part of the West Bank.

Judea
Site name	Prehistoric	Old Testament	Hellenistic	New Testament	Josephus Flavius	Roman, Byzantine, Arabic	Crusader	Mameluke, Turks
Mar Saba
Herodion
Mar Elias
Kathisma
Emmaus (overview)
Emmaus Basilica
Emmaus Roman bath
Valley springs
Hasmonean Fortress
Wine Presses
Jabal Munttar
Nebi Samuel
Nahal Ilan
Euthemius Monastery
Martyrius Monastery
Good Samaritan Inn
Horvat Hanut
Kh. Matta, Ein Tannur
Elah Valley
Sha'araim
Socho
Azekah
Adullam
BethShemesh
Beit Jamal

Negev

Israel's Negev Desert is like pure magic. Covering over half of Israel's total land area, it is an area bustling with beauty. The Negev Desert is a fascinating and enchanting place, especially for those not familiar with desert landscapes.

Negev
Site name	Prehistoric	Old Testament	Hellenistic	New Testament	Josephus Flavius	Roman, Byzantine, Arabic	Crusader	Mameluke, Turks
Yotvata
Solomon's pillars
Timna
Eilat
Ramon Crator
Avdat
Shivta
Be'erotayim
Nitzana
Nitzana cave
Nitzana curves
Mamshit
Mamshit churches
Mamshit Market
Mamshit water
Tell Aro'er
Small crater
Ma'ale Akrabbim
Mt Zin (Hor)
Biblical Tamar

Beit Kerem

The valley of Beit-Kerem is a region in the north side of the Lower Galilee and Karmi'el in the central Galilee.

Beit-Kerem
Site name	Prehistoric	Old Testament	Hellenistic	New Testament	Josephus Flavius	Roman, Byzantine, Arabic	Crusader	Mameluke, Turks
Har Gamal
Pigeons caves
Kh. Madrasah
Kh. Kav
Kh. Zagag
Kh. Bata
Kh. Kenes
Karmi'el
El Khader
Nahef

Hilazon creek

The Hilazon (Chilazon - "snail") creek flows south of the Beit-Kerem valley, from the Sachnin valley to the plains of Acre, merging into the Na'aman river. It is one of the four east-west valleys that comprise the Lower Galilee.

Hilazon
Site name	Prehistoric	Old Testament	Hellenistic	New Testament	Josephus Flavius	Roman, Byzantine, Arabic	Crusader	Mameluke, Turks
Rosh Zayit
Neiel
Kh. Fachir
Hilazon creek
Lower Hilazon cave
Kh. Beza
H. Gamum

Jordan Valley

The Jordan Valley, extending from the outlet of the Jordan River at the Sea of Galilee to its inlet into the Dead Sea, a little over 100 kilometers to the south as the crow flies, reveals the variety of landscapes and sites for which Israel is famous, highlighted here from north to south.

Jordan valley
Site name	Prehistoric	Old Testament	Hellenistic	New Testament	Josephus Flavius	Roman, Byzantine, Arabic	Crusader	Mameluke, Turks
Gilgal Argaman
Adam Bridges
Kh. Makhruk
Jordan Jericho
Fazael Brook
St Gerassimos

Dead Sea

The Dead Sea is the lowest point on earth, surrounded by the stunning landscape of the Negev Desert. The shores of the Dead Sea are the lowest point on the surface of the earth, and the saline water of the lake give lead to the name ???Dead Sea' because no fish can survive in the salty waters.

Dead Sea
Site name	Prehistoric	Old Testament	Hellenistic	New Testament	Josephus Flavius	Roman, Byzantine, Arabic	Crusader	Mameluke, Turks
Masada
Nahal Hever
Nahal Arugot
Nahal David
Ein Gedi
Qumran

Source: www.biblewalks.com

Historical sites in Israel