A recent wildfire in Israel has uncovered ancient ruins at El-Araj, potentially identifying it as Bethsaida, the town where apostles Peter, Andrew, and Philip lived. The fire cleared dense vegetation along the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee, allowing archaeologists to access previously hidden areas. Excavations revealed Roman pottery and artifacts indicating that the village flourished under King Herod Philip. The findings corroborate historical texts and suggest the site was a significant settlement during the time of Jesus, with structures like public buildings and a Roman bathhouse uncovered.
The fire, while tragic, has allowed us to survey areas that were previously inaccessible due to thick vegetation.
The excavation, now in its ninth season, focused on reaching the Roman layer, buried beneath Byzantine and Crusader remains.
These Roman-era artifacts and architectural features suggested that the village had been upgraded to a city under King Herod Philip, aligning with historical records of Bethsaida.
Archaeologists uncovered the site at El-Araj, on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee, which may be Bethsaida, the fishing village where Peter, Andrew and Philip lived.
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