Tel Dan

The ancient city of Dan, built on the ruins of even older habitations (known as a "tel"), was the northernmost city of the Kingdom of Israel, and belonged to the tribe of Dan, one of the 12 tribes of Israel.  Its location is in what is called the Galilee Panhandle, in the upper reaches of the Hulah Valley.  Because of its close proximity to both Lebanon and Syria, the area surrounding Dan has often been contested during the modern era.  Prior to the creation of the nation of Israel, and the tribe of Dan, Abram is mentioned in the Book of Genesis as traveling to Dan to rescue his nephew, Lot.

After the Nation of Israel split into two kingdoms (Israel and Judea), King Jeroboam built a temple in Dan, with a large Golden Calf, so that his people would not have to travel to Jerusalem to worship the Lord (and he feared, be persuaded to work to rejoin the two kingdoms back into one).

After Jeroboam, the city of Dan, being so close to the northern border of the Kingdom of Israel, was constantly under attack by the Aramaends, changing hands between them and Israel four times.  Eventually the Assyrian empire conquered the Kingdom of Israel, including the City of Dan, around 733 BCE.

The Dan river, one of the four bodies of water that come together to form the Jordan River, runs just outside of the ancient city of Dan.

The trail up to Tel Dan

The Dan River

The Dan River

The Spring

Springtime in Israel

Wildflowers

The Big Tree!  Many times archaeologists will look for something that stands out to start their digging.  In this case, it was a large tree by itself.  When they started digging around it, they found it was sitting on top off a foundation of stones.

The Big Tree, from a different angle.  You can see that it sort of stands out by itself.  The steps to the right of the tree lead to a raised platform.  Nearly all archaeologists agree that this was where Jeroboam placed his golden calf.  In the front, left of the photo you can see the metal outline of a large altar.  It was on this spot that historians believe Jeroboam built a 4-horned altar to burn his sacrifices.

Another view of the tree, the altar location, and the steps (in the back) that led up to the platform where the golden calf was placed.

Excavations

Ruins of part of the inner gate into Dan

An excavated stone road

Trying not to get stepped on!

Historians believe this was a podium for the ruler of Dan.  In Biblical times, the king would sit at the edge of the city gate, or as in Dan - between the inner and outer gates, so that his people would see him.  2 Samuel 18:4 reads "so the king stood beside the gate while all his men marched out in hundreds and thousands."

Another view of the podium.  The pots at the four corners were designed to hold a pole which in turn held a canopy to protect the ruler from the sun or rain.

Between the inner and outer gates.

Excavated walls of Dan