Location:
Tel Hanaton is in the heart of the Beit Netofa Valley, in the western Lower Galilee region of Israel,. Approximately 2 kilometers south of Kfar Manda and 1 kilometer northeast of Kibbutz Hanaton (named after the tel itself), it rises roughly 75 meters above the surrounding valley, offering breathtaking panoramic views.
Identification:
Recognized by archaeologists as the biblical Hanaton mentioned in the Book of Joshua, this strategically positioned tel was once part of the territory allotted to the Tribe of Zebulun. Its strategic location on a trade route between the Mediterranean coast and the Jezreel Valley made it a vital center for commerce and agriculture throughout its long history.
History:
The Tel is mentioned as ‘Hinnatuna’ in the 14th Century BC Amarna Letters of Ancient Egypt, showing the city’s importance on a major trade route. The site has bee occupied since the Middle Bronze Age to the end of the Persian period (around 4th century BCE),
Biblical Context:
The Book of Joshua mentions Hanaton among the cities captured by the Israelites during their conquest of Canaan (Joshua 19:14). Its inclusion in this biblical text underscores the town’s significance as a key center in the region during the Iron Age.
Excavations:
In July 2023, archaeological excavations began at Tel Hanton. The directors of the excavation are Dr. Assaf Kleinman from Ben Gurion University, Dr. Ron Barry from the Antiquities Authority, and Angelica Berleung from the University of Leipzig, Germany
Biblical Hiking map