Beit Shemesh’s Ancient Past Comes Alive

The archaeological heritage of Beit Shemesh is stepping into the spotlight:

The Beit Shemesh Municipality and the Israeli Institute of Archaeology have released a new series of short, engaging videos showcasing discoveries from Tel Beit Shemesh. The initiative grew out of rescue excavations carried out during the preparation of the area for the Route 38 interchange, and quickly evolved into a full community-archaeology project. Students from Ulpanat Noga joined the digs, learning hands-on archaeology while strengthening their knowledge, identity, and leadership.

The videos highlight key points of interest on the western side of the Tel, including a Late Bronze Age palace, a water system from the Kingdom of Yehuda, and a Byzantine-era monastery.

This project marks the next stage of “Ne’emanut HaTel,” launched after Ulpanat Amit Noga and the Institute won the 2022 Beit Shemesh Community-Engagement Hackathon. As part of the program, students studied archaeology, toured the site, excavated alongside professionals, and wrote the content for the videos under expert guidance.

Although work paused after the events of October 7th, the project never stopped. A major milestone was just completed: the installation of brand-new educational signs across Tel Beit Shemesh, based entirely on the research produced by the students. While access to the site is still challenging, visitors can now enjoy clear, engaging explanations written by the girls themselves.

Meeting recently with the students, now in 11th grade after beginning the project in 8th, they described the experience as one that “left a deep and lasting impact.”

Mayor Shmuel Greenberg said “When the younger generation learns the city’s history with their own hands, their local identity grows stronger. These new videos and signs reflect the remarkable work of the students, the Institute, and all our partners. Beit Shemesh draws strength from its rich past, and we will continue to invest in education, heritage, and making history accessible to everyone.”

City Council member and Tourism Portfolio holder, Zvi Woliki, added “The story of Beit Shemesh is one of continuous Jewish settlement for thousands of years. It’s inspiring to see young people not only learn this history but take responsibility for telling it forward. I hope more educational groups join this learning journey so we can continue deepening our heritage.”

Boaz Gross, Deputy Director of the Israeli Institute of Archaeology, said: “Our mission is to advance archaeological research and make it accessible to the public. This community-based project in Beit Shemesh, together with the municipality and Ulpanat Noga, fulfills that mission entirely. The students joined our team, researched, excavated, learned, and created short, accurate, and even entertaining video guides for visitors to one of Israel’s most important tels, which, until now, had no signs at all. We’re proud to lead this project and are already developing additional activities with the city and its educational institutions.”