The city of Beit Shean boasts a rich history spanning millennia. At its heart lies the ancient city of Tel Beit Shan (known in Arabic as Tell el-Hisn, meaning “the hill of the fortress”), perched atop a steep rise overlooking the Bein Shean valley. Naturally fortified by the Harod and Assi streams flowing from the south and north, converging in the east, this location served as a crucial crossroads linking the coastal plain and the Jordan Valley with the “via maris,” the ancient trade route connecting Egypt to Mesopotamia. Surrounded by fertile land and abundant water sources, Beit Shean has been inhabited since the Neolithic period (5th millennium BC) until the Middle Ages.
The pinnacle of Beit Shean’s history occurred during the Late Bronze Age (16-12th centuries BCE) when it served as an outpost of the Egyptian Empire. Numerous temples, palaces, and artifacts linked to Egypt’s presence have been unearthed on the mound. Subsequently, during the Hellenistic era, the settlement expanded mainly at the hill’s base, acquiring the new name “Nysa.” In the Roman and Byzantine periods, it was known as “Scythopolis,” while retaining its ancient identity in Islamic times, evident in the Arabic name “Baysan.” Today, the archaeological treasures of Beit Shean are accessible to the public at the Beit Shean National Park.
Research history:
Excavations at Tel Beit Shean commenced in 1921-1933 under the auspices of a University of Pennsylvania expedition led by Clarence Fisher, Alan Rowe, and Gerald Fitzgerald. This endeavor unearthed remnants spanning the Islamic, Byzantine, and Roman epochs, with particular emphasis on discoveries from the Bronze Age and Iron Age. Following a hiatus, research at Tel Beit Shean resumed in 1983 with a new expedition led by Yigael Yadin and Shulamit Geva. From 1989 to 1994, excavations were conducted on behalf of the Hebrew University, helmed by Amichai Mazar in collaboration with the Antiquities Authority and the Beit Shean Tourism Directorate.
The emergence of the Canaanite Beit Shan
Before the Hellenistic period, Tel Beit Shean served as a secondary settlement in the Beit Shean Valley, with the primary urban center located at Tel Rehov to the south. The earliest traces of habitation in Beit Shean date back to the Neolithic period (fifth millennium BC), followed by continuous settlement throughout the Early Bronze Age, yielding a wealth of artifacts. Notably, a public building believed to have served administrative and economic functions emerged during this era. Excavations during the Early Bronze Age 3 (2900-2500 B.C.) uncovered paved streets and tools in the “Khirbet Kerak” style—a hallmark of the Khirbet Kerak culture originating from present-day Eastern Turkey.
During the Intermediate Bronze Age (2500-2000 B.C.), the site experienced abandonment, with sporadic tent-based activities. In the 17th-16th centuries BC, during the Middle Bronze Age, resettlement occurred, albeit on a smaller scale compared to its antecedent. Discoveries from this period include a Canaanite-style cylinder seal crafted from hematite, Hyksos-style scarabs, bone inlays adorned with geometric motifs, and alabaster vessels. Of particular interest is the grave of an 8-year-old boy, containing a cup and a juglet near his head, alongside gold earrings and a ring featuring a scarab-shaped signet.
The days of Egyptian rule in Beit Shean (12th-15th centuries BC)
Following the conquest of Canaan by the 18th Dynasty, Beit Shean emerged as a key bastion of the Egyptian Empire in the region. The city boasted administrative and religious edifices, imperial offices, and residential quarters for soldiers and officials. Notably, a rare discovery in Canaan of this period is a bathhouse found within one of the rooms. However, in the 14th century, the Egyptian stronghold was razed, likely due to the waning strength of the 18th Dynasty in its twilight years. The subsequent 19th Dynasty restored Egyptian dominion over Canaan, including Beit Shean. Among the artifacts from this era are stelae dating back to the reigns of Pharaohs Seti I and Ramsses II. This phase, too, ended in violent destruction, likely linked to the upheavals marking the demise of the 19th Dynasty.
In the 12th century BC, during the reign of the 20th Dynasty, Beit Shean was rebuilt once again. Notable among the discoveries from this period is the governor’s house, whose remains can be observed in the national park today. While the preceding period primarily saw the structure used for military purposes, during this epoch, it transformed into a small palace hosting ceremonies and receptions. Artifacts unearthed from this period attest to the affluence of Egyptian soldiers, with gold and silver objects, jewels, and gems discovered within the governor’s residence. An inscription on one of its lintels identifies the governor as Ramesses Weser-Khepesh, which probably operated in the times of Ramesses III (1186-1155 BCE). The architectural style of the Egyptian construction bears striking resemblance to a similar structure uncovered in Deir al-Balah. Yet again, this phase in Beit Shean’s history concluded in violent destruction, mirroring the fate of its predecessors.
Beit Shean in the days of the kingdom in Israel
Following the departure of the Egyptians and the destruction of their stronghold, Beit Shean experienced a revival in the 11th century BC. This renewed settlement predominantly exhibited Canaanite characteristics. As previously, Beit Shean continued to exist in the shadow of Tel Rehov. Among the findings at Beit Shean are two temples and a sizable building potentially serving as an administrative hub. The 11th century BC holds particular significance for Beit Shean’s research. According to biblical tradition, after the Battle of Gilboa, the Philistines allegedly hung the bodies of King Saul and his sons within the city. Yet, no archaeological evidence corroborates a Philistine presence in Beit Shean. Some scholars propose that the biblical narrative alludes to a fleeting Philistine incursion in Beit Shean. Regardless, this phase in the city’s history also culminated in violent destruction.
During the Iron Age IIa-b (8th-10th centuries BC), Beit Shean became part of the Northern Kingdom of Israel. Excavations from this period yielded limited finds due to challenging conditions. One notable structure dating to the 8th century was likely destroyed during Tiglath-Pileser III’s campaign against the Kingdom of Israel. Within this building, a pottery jug bearing inscriptions in black ink with the names “zma” and “alt zma” was discovered, possibly referencing a goddess of Zama. Following the Assyrian devastation, Beit Shean fell into abandonment.
The Classical and Medieval Beit Shean – Nysa-Scythopolis
The city surrounding the mound was known as Nysa-Scythopolis. Established in the 3rd century BC during the Hellenistic period, it served as a military bastion for King Ptolemy II Philadelphus. Flourishing during the Roman era, Nysa-Scythopolis emerged as the largest city in the region, boasting a civic center anchored around a spacious agora. Even in the Byzantine period, the city continued to thrive, witnessing the construction of numerous churches, monasteries, and two synagogues on its outskirts, while the civic center retained its Roman essence. However, by the mid-6th century AD, the city’s prosperity waned, and it peacefully transitioned to the Islamic Umayyad Empire, with the civic center primarily utilized for industrial purposes. In 749 AD, a devastating earthquake struck, bringing about the city’s demise, leaving only scattered residents on its outskirts. The mound briefly saw habitation at the close of the Crusader period or the onset of the Ayyubid era (13th century AD). Across subsequent centuries, the Arab appellation “Baysan” preserved the city’s ancient identity.
Sources:
Mazar, A. 1997. Four Thousand Years of History at Tel Beth-Shean: An Account of the Renewed Excavations. The Biblical Archaeologist, Vol. 60, No. 2 (Jun., 1997), pp. 62-76
Biblical Hiking map