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According to local authorities in Israel, archaeologists have made an important discovery in the Golan Heights in recent weeks. During the planned excavations, a group of experts found the remains of a brick gate that was once part of the biblical city of Zer, which is closely badociated with the life and miracles of Jesus Christ. The discovery could help resolve a long-standing dispute over the exact location of Zer and could even reveal important insights into the city and its development.
The ancient city of Zer
Zer was an important urban center that stood near the Sea of Galilee and which was, by tradition, found by one of the twelve tribes. Israel. Zer was known as Bethsaida at the time when the New Testament was being written and is referred to by that name in the Gospels. Here, according to the Bible, Jesus lived for some time with his disciples and performed the miracle of the five loaves and the two fishes.
Researchers have long since attempted to identify the location of the colony. The Jerusalem Post reports that Dr. Rami Arav of the University of Nebraska, "is convinced that Bethsaida should be identified with Et-tell" in the Golan Heights. Zer's identification with the Et-tell site is disputed. The urban center was badociated with fishing, but the site is located two miles from the Sea of Galilee. Two millennia ago, the sea covered much of the area near Et-tell and this confirms the theory that this is the site of Zer.
Ruins of the Bethsaida fishing village mentioned in the New Testament of the Bible, north of the Sea of Galilee, Israel. (CC BY 3.0)
The Gate of the City of Zer
A team of archaeologists led by Rami Avar and part of the Bethsaida Project conducted excavations at two locations in the Bethsaida Valley , in a nature reserve, east of the Sea of Galilee. At one of them, they discovered brickyards that they believe to be the remains of one of the gates of the city of Zer. The discovery was important because there are so few biblical gateways and it was tentatively dated from the 1000 to 550 BC period. The most important aspect of the discovery was that the gate is of a considerable size, indicating that it was part of the extensive fortifications. The Jerusalem Post reports that this "would indicate that Zer was a major city" during the First Temple period.
Site on the Sea of Galilee formerly considered to be in the region of ancient Bethsaida. (OSU Special Collections)
The city gate was found in an area rich in archeology, the Bethsaida Valley. Among the discoveries made in this region include the discovery of a rare gold coin issued by Cleopatra and Mark Anthony and another piece of the reign of Emperor Antonius Pius. Hooks, amphoras, jugs and a shield dating back to Roman times have also been discovered in the area. Not far from Zer, archaeologists believe they have discovered the lost Roman city of Julias, where a mosaic was unearthed.
The Miracle of the Breads and Fishes of Lambert Lombard. (Public Domain)
The local authorities are very satisfied with the discovery of the door as it could stimulate tourism in the locality. The apparent discovery of the Zer Gate will increase the already large number of people who come to see the rich archaeological heritage of the Bethsaida Valley. Christian pilgrims are expected to visit Zer, "because the place holds great importance in Christianity," according to the International Business Times.
The Importance of Discovery
The identification of the Zer Gate means that the importance of the city in the early history of Israel can be better established. It will also allow experts to better understand the nature of the fortifications of the Biblical period and help to demonstrate the exact location of Zer and later Bethsaida. It is expected that the discovery will lead to more excavations and even more discoveries in the future. Of course, it will also be used as evidence to support the truth of some biblical stories.
Top image: The miracle of bread and fish by James Tissot, Brooklyn Mueum. Source: Public Domain
By Ed Whelan
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