Peki'in HaHadasha: Horvat Abad and Archaeological Traces

Peki'in HaHadasha is associated with a ridge on which the ruin of Horvat Abad is also located. The excavated building remains and the history of the site's founding are a local focus. The wider travel destination of the Northern District adds independent archaeological topics, such as those at Tel Hazor and Tel Megiddo. This distinction helps you separate the site's history from the other regional focal points.

Horvat Abad and the history of the site

Peki'in HaHadasha lies on a ridge south of Nahal Peki'in; Horvat Abad is located there. Building remains from the Roman and Byzantine periods have been excavated in the southern part of the ruin. This ties the historical evidence to a specific part of the ruin: the building remains lie in the south, while the ridge provides the geographical connection to Peki'in HaHadasha and Nahal Peki'in.

Another way to explore the site's history is through the founding of Peki'in HaHadasha. The site was founded by two groups from Morocco, on the initiative and with the support of President Yitzhak Ben-Zvi. This founding story complements the archaeological connection of Horvat Abad with the site's origins. The two should be understood as distinct historical contexts: the Roman and Byzantine building remains belong to the ruin, while the founding story identifies the groups and initiative from which Peki'in HaHadasha emerged.

The immediate surroundings also offer a tangible connection to the landscape. A Tiria can be reached by carefully descending from the tomb of Rabbi Hoshaia Ish Tiriya to the streambed of Nahal Peki'in below. The careful descent described is an important detail of the route. Check current trail conditions before visiting; the note about the careful descent does not replace an assessment of conditions on site.

More archaeological topics in the Northern District

Within the wider travel destination of the Northern District, Tel Hazor and Tel Megiddo represent independent archaeological focal points. They belong to the regional context, not to the local finds at Horvat Abad. Both sites feature significant remains of cities with biblical connections; however, their specific historical evidence differs considerably.

Tel Hazor is a biblical tell with significant remains of a city with biblical connections. The upper city is Tel Hazor's archaeological focus. Its archaeological topics include Solomon's Gate, a gate with six chambers and two towers dating to the 10th century BCE. Also included is the Canaanite palace, which was used by the kings of Hazor in the 14th and 13th centuries BCE. The Late Bronze Age palace is described as the most elaborate in Israel and one of the most significant in the Levant.

Another focus at Tel Hazor is the underground water collection system. Its significant remains represent sophisticated engineering for water storage, adapted to the geography. The excavated vertical shaft is 45 meters deep, with steps three meters wide carved into its walls. The gate, palace, and water system thus illustrate different aspects of Tel Hazor's archaeological remains: architectural design, historical use, and water engineering.

Tel Megiddo is also a biblical tell. It is one of three tells that preserve significant remains of cities with biblical connections and are closely associated with events in the Bible. Notable finds include a temple complex dating to the Early Bronze Age. It is exceptional for the number of its temples, the continuity of cult activity, and the documented ritual activities. An orthogonal city plan from the Iron Age is also notable; it has few parallels in the Levant.

The regional topics can therefore be clearly distinguished: Tel Hazor brings together a gate, a palace, and a water collection system; Tel Megiddo highlights a temple complex and a city plan. Horvat Abad, in turn, is the local point of reference on the ridge of Peki'in HaHadasha, with building remains from the Roman and Byzantine periods. If you are looking for hotels in Peki'in HaHadasha, this distinction can help you decide whether the site's history alone, or also the independent archaeological topics in the Northern District, are relevant to your travel plans.

Discover more destinations: Reshafim, Tel Adashim, Kafr Manda, H̱aluẕ, Gita, Beit Keshet, Netu'a, Barak

For the wider travel overview: Northern District.