Ancient observation tower discovered in present IDF paratrooper base
An ancient observation tower was discovered in southern Israel on Wednesday in an IDF paratrooper base. The tower dates back to the days of the King Hezekiah, who ruled the Kingdom of Judah almost 3,000 years ago, according to the Bible.
“The strategic location of the tower served as a lookout and warning point against the Philistine enemy, one of whose cities was Ashkelon,” according to Valdik Lifshitz and Sa’ar Ganor, directors of the excavation on behalf of the Israel Antiquities Authority. The tower was estimated to be about 16.4 x 11.5 feet.
“In the days of the First Temple, the Kingdom of Judah built a range of towers and fortresses as points of communication, warning and signaling, to transmit messages and field intelligence.”
The messages would be transmitted though smoke and fire, depending the time of the day.
The project was carried by the Israel Nature and Parks Authority in a joint effort with the IDF and the Ministry of Defense.
Read More: The Jerusalem Post