Under the Winter Stadium parking lot: a 1,300-year-old city revealed in Ramat Gan

In excavations by the Israel Antiquities Authority at the Winter Stadium parking lot in Ramat Gan, a planned compound about 1,300 years old was uncovered, including intersecting streets, shops or warehouses, kilns, and industrial facilities. The researchers estimate it served as a large trade and industry station during the Umayyad and Abbasid periods. On Wednesday, August 19, the site will open to the public for a one-time visit before the findings are covered.

The Israel Antiquities Authority revealed in excavations at the Winter Stadium parking lot in Ramat Gan a planned compound about 1,300 years old, including straight intersecting streets, rooms that likely served as shops or warehouses, plastered industrial installations, and pottery kilns. The researchers, Dr. Yoav Arbel and Lior Rauchberger, estimate the site was built by parties with engineering knowledge, probably with the knowledge of the regional authorities and perhaps even at their initiative. The compound was located near the main road connecting Jaffa, Ramla, and Jerusalem, and was established in the 7th or 8th century CE, during the Umayyad and Abbasid periods. It operated for about 150 years before being abandoned for reasons not yet clarified. In the 10th century, the site was resettled, with residential houses and production facilities built, and many tabuns were found. In the late 11th century, before the Crusader conquest, the site was abandoned and has not been resettled since. Among the finds: dozens of pottery vessels and oil lamps, bronze vessels, hammer heads, a sickle, nails, dozens of coins, and glass fragments. On Wednesday, August 19, the Israel Antiquities Authority will hold an open day at the site, by prior registration, after which the remains will be covered.