Stone structure is part of urban fortifications dating back 5,500 years, say experts.
by John Jeffay
Workers chanced upon the oldest city gate in Israel during excavations to lay a new water pipe.
The stone and mudbrick structure formed part of the fortifications around the ancient city of Tel Erani, in southern Israel, and is believed to be 5,500 years old.
Archeologists have spent many decades exploring the area, but the new discovery indicates the city dates back even earlier than originally thought.
Remains of the gate were found during test drillings to prepare for the laying of a new 11-kilometer water pipeline to the nearby city of Kiryat Gat.
Mekorot, the national water company, has diverted the pipeline as a result of the find, and has been funding a month-long excavation by the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA).
Before the Tel Erani discovery, the oldest known gate in the country was at Tel Arad, near the southern city of Arad, and estimated to be 5,200 years old.
The Tel Erani gate, or passageway, was built into the city’s heavily fortified walls, which were up to eight meters thick.
