Ashdod Travelers guide

Ashdod | Good to know 26 A little history Modern Ashdod began as a small immigrant settlement, which was founded in 1956, and over the years became the fifth largest city in the country. However, archaeological discoveries in the area testify to the fact that the location was settled as early as the ancient stone age, and it is in fact one of the oldest settlements in Israel. Ancient Ashdod was built as a fortified Canaanite city at the end of the 17th century BC at Tel Ashdod , located southeast to today's Ashdod, and about four kilometers from the coastline. The archaeological site, which rises to a height of ten meters above sea level and stretches over 380 dunams (15.2 acres), is considered one of the largest in Israel. With the city's conquest by the Philistines during the 12th century BC, Ashdod, which at the time was a part of the tribal area of Judah, joined the list of the five most important cities in the Philistine Kingdom, along with Ashkelon, Ekron, Gat and Gaza. At the time the city had an extensive and thriving trade activity, and according to archaeological evidence, Ashdod served as a important trade center with countries abroad, thanks to its port (today's Tel Mor , located on the northern bank of the Lachish stream, near the ancient sea route), which was probably built by the Philistines.