- Tel Afek
Tel Afek, ( _he. תל אפק), commonly spelled Aphek, is an archaeological site in
Israel 'sEin Afek Nature Reserve , east of the town ofKiryat Bialik , north of Haifa.The site is what remains of the biblical town of Aphik, which is mentioned in the
Book of Joshua 19:30 as belonging to theTribe of Asher . The name is apparently derived from the nearby abundant springs (אפיקים "afikim" in Hebrew).The site contains remains from the Middle Bronze Age, the
Iron Age , and the Roman Period.The highlights of the park include the Crusader fortress and the natural water canals and lake, which draw their waters from the year-long flowing springs of Afek, which are the source of the
Naaman river .The massive walls were built in the
Bronze Age . According to the Bible, it was strongly defended and was not conquered by thetribe of Asher .In the Hellenistic period the city expanded northwards, and grew into a large area that reached the springs.
In Crusader times, the northern area was fortified to protect the route to
Nazareth . A two-story fortress still stands. A water-powered flour mill operated on the lower floor.ee also
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Archaeology of Israel
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