Page 42 - Holyland Magazine - 2015 edition
P. 42
The predominant tree on the landscape is the The geological phenomena are also those
acacia, which serves as home and a source that lead to the appearance of copper in the
of nutrition to many animals. It also forms the various rock layers in Timna. The copper ores
basis for the food chain. The fauna (primarily found in the valley attracted man as far back
ibex and gazelles) spread the tree by carrying as the ifth century BCE, that is to say - six
thousand years ago. Over the generations,
the seeds in their stomachs and passing
them around the area. In this way, the tree is man mined the copper ore from the rock
replanted. Much of the desert fauna is active and turned it into metal. The methods, tools
at night, and there is only a small chance you and technologies used in the production of
will catch a glimpse of them during your visit the copper developed and advanced over
to the park. The two large animals that are the generations, as evidenced by the many
active and visible during the day are the ibex artifacts unearthed at various sites in the valley.
and gazelle. Here the ibexes descend from
the steep clifs and Mt. Timna to the wide Through a long and arduous process, man
riverbeds in which the gazelles travel. With learned where to ind minerals that contained A young girl peeking out a "cave" in the rocks
some luck, visitors will catch a glimpse of the copper and how to mine them. Man then
gazelles bounding of across the plain. There learned how to reine the copper and create Peddle boat on Timna Lake. Photos:Timna Park Archive
is a greater chance of encountering ibex tools and other useful items.
descending from the clifs to the acacia trees
in the riverbeds or coming to drink water from The most intensive human activity at Timna
the artiicial lake at Timna Oasis. was about 3,300 – 2,900 years ago - the end
of the Late Bronze Age and the beginning of
Mushroom & a half the Iron Age. A Tel Aviv University expedition
found evidence of organized copper
extraction as far back as the 10th century
BCE, the time of King Solomon’s reign in
Jerusalem. The direct context of Timna
according to the archaeological indings is
Edom. However, when reading the Bible we
can learn that Edom was a protectorate of
King Solomon. We may, then, assume that
some of the copper extracted at Timna may
have found its way to Jerusalem.
The vast number of artifacts and evidence
found in the Timna Valley attest to and
document the history shared by man and Visitors can tour Timna Park by car, travelling
copper – trial and error, and success. The from one site to the other, and can enjoy short
social, economic, cultural and spiritual world hiking trails. There are 10 hiking routes, marked
experienced by generations of miners is along the trails as well as on the map that is
revealed in the remains of ancient dwellings available at the park entrance. Bicycle routes
and work sites. Here we ind religious artifacts, have been paved at Timna, some are suitable
carvings and rock drawings, burial sites, and for families and nonprofessional riders, while
other archeological indings. others are single track for skilled trained riders.
Just by virtue of its magniicent natural More information about Timna Park and the
scenery, Timna Park ofers the same many attractions it ofers can be found at
breathtaking experience as some of the www.parktimna.co.il. You can also call + 972-
most famous national parks in the world, 8-6316756.
but its uniqueness is the combination of
historical and geological values. Together, the Timna Park was jointly developed by Keren
arresting landscape and rich history provide Kayemeth Leisrael, The Eilot Region Economic
an unparalleled opportunity to gain irsthand and Tourism Development Corporation and
insights into this fascinating aspect of the the Jewish National Fund – United States and
development of human civilization. the Chudnow family from Milwaukee, WI, USA.
42
acacia, which serves as home and a source that lead to the appearance of copper in the
of nutrition to many animals. It also forms the various rock layers in Timna. The copper ores
basis for the food chain. The fauna (primarily found in the valley attracted man as far back
ibex and gazelles) spread the tree by carrying as the ifth century BCE, that is to say - six
thousand years ago. Over the generations,
the seeds in their stomachs and passing
them around the area. In this way, the tree is man mined the copper ore from the rock
replanted. Much of the desert fauna is active and turned it into metal. The methods, tools
at night, and there is only a small chance you and technologies used in the production of
will catch a glimpse of them during your visit the copper developed and advanced over
to the park. The two large animals that are the generations, as evidenced by the many
active and visible during the day are the ibex artifacts unearthed at various sites in the valley.
and gazelle. Here the ibexes descend from
the steep clifs and Mt. Timna to the wide Through a long and arduous process, man
riverbeds in which the gazelles travel. With learned where to ind minerals that contained A young girl peeking out a "cave" in the rocks
some luck, visitors will catch a glimpse of the copper and how to mine them. Man then
gazelles bounding of across the plain. There learned how to reine the copper and create Peddle boat on Timna Lake. Photos:Timna Park Archive
is a greater chance of encountering ibex tools and other useful items.
descending from the clifs to the acacia trees
in the riverbeds or coming to drink water from The most intensive human activity at Timna
the artiicial lake at Timna Oasis. was about 3,300 – 2,900 years ago - the end
of the Late Bronze Age and the beginning of
Mushroom & a half the Iron Age. A Tel Aviv University expedition
found evidence of organized copper
extraction as far back as the 10th century
BCE, the time of King Solomon’s reign in
Jerusalem. The direct context of Timna
according to the archaeological indings is
Edom. However, when reading the Bible we
can learn that Edom was a protectorate of
King Solomon. We may, then, assume that
some of the copper extracted at Timna may
have found its way to Jerusalem.
The vast number of artifacts and evidence
found in the Timna Valley attest to and
document the history shared by man and Visitors can tour Timna Park by car, travelling
copper – trial and error, and success. The from one site to the other, and can enjoy short
social, economic, cultural and spiritual world hiking trails. There are 10 hiking routes, marked
experienced by generations of miners is along the trails as well as on the map that is
revealed in the remains of ancient dwellings available at the park entrance. Bicycle routes
and work sites. Here we ind religious artifacts, have been paved at Timna, some are suitable
carvings and rock drawings, burial sites, and for families and nonprofessional riders, while
other archeological indings. others are single track for skilled trained riders.
Just by virtue of its magniicent natural More information about Timna Park and the
scenery, Timna Park ofers the same many attractions it ofers can be found at
breathtaking experience as some of the www.parktimna.co.il. You can also call + 972-
most famous national parks in the world, 8-6316756.
but its uniqueness is the combination of
historical and geological values. Together, the Timna Park was jointly developed by Keren
arresting landscape and rich history provide Kayemeth Leisrael, The Eilot Region Economic
an unparalleled opportunity to gain irsthand and Tourism Development Corporation and
insights into this fascinating aspect of the the Jewish National Fund – United States and
development of human civilization. the Chudnow family from Milwaukee, WI, USA.
42
