Tel Hadid
Archaeological site in Israel / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Tel Hadid is an archaeological site in Israel. It is located on an isolated hill, 147 metres (482 ft) above sea level, south of a tributary of Ayalon River. The site overlooks the central coastal plain of Israel, the Lydda Valley, and the Tel Aviv metropolitan area, offering a strategic vantage point.
Tel Hadid has a rich historical significance, with its earliest mentions found in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah among the towns resettled by those returning from the Babylonian exile. It was also fortified by Simon Thassi during the Maccabean war with Diodotus Tryphon, as described in 1 Maccabees. Throughout history, its strategic importance was recognized by various rulers, including Vespasian during the Jewish Revolt. The site has been subject to numerous archaeological excavations, revealing extensive remains dating from the Intermediate Bronze Age to the Modern Era.