Timna is a National Park in the Negev desert of Israel and home to the world's oldest copper mines. Located 30 km from Eilat-the southernmost city of Israel, the park spreads in an area of 70 sq. km. and is surrounded by 300 m. high cliffs and copper-rich nodules (up to 55% copper). Copper mining started in Timnah from the 5th millennium BC, when the Egyptians discovered copper ore and began the world’s first copper production center. However, it reached a peak during the reign of the Egyptian Pharaohs of the 14th-12th centuries BC. The Egyptian miners were so expert that they made tubular mining shafts with footsteps that could penetrate some 30 m deep into the copper source. At the same time the Midianites and Amalekites from the Arabian Peninsula began mining alongside the Egyptians. Later, mining was continued by Israelites, Nabateans (1st-2nd Cent. AD) and finally by the Ummayads (7th Cent AD) until the area's metals became scarce.
The park is noted for its natural sandstone formations, including King Solomon’s Pillars, the “Mushroom,” the “Arches," Ancient (at least 3000 years old) Mine Shafts, Rock Carvings, and a Temple dedicated to the Egyptian Goddess Hathor. Today, the park has become a recreational destination for Israelis and tourists alike, containing a replica of the biblical Tabernacle, a large artificial man-made lake, a fascinating 360-degree multimedia experience called the Mines of Time, Bedouin Hospitality, overnight camping facilities, bicycle rides, archery, a rock-climbing wall and a handicraft workshop. The park also offers around 20 different hiking trails to explore the valley. Jewish National Fund has played a major role in the park's planning and development.
Although the mines were rediscovered in the 19th century, only when American archaeologist Nelson Glueck theorized in 1930s that the mines were connected to King Solomon, public awareness increased. Nelson Glueck believed that King Solomon, who reigned in the 10th century BCE, was responsible for the mines, and Timna Valley became a center of scientific and religious inquiry. Glueck named the site "King Solomons Mines," but the subsequent excavations have not supported his theory. In 1959, Professor Rothenberg, director of the Institute for Archeo-Metalurgical Studies at University College, London, led the Arabah Expedition, and by 1990 he discovered everything that makes up what Timna Valley Park is today.
On behalf of the Midrasha hiking club, we were supposed to walk 12 km in the Timnah Valley Park. The trail was one of the toughest we had this season and the hiking involved a few phases of real rock climbing. Eventually, we realized that time is not enough to complete the whole track and so short cuts were adopted to skip some sections of the expected hiking routes.
The park is noted for its natural sandstone formations, including King Solomon’s Pillars, the “Mushroom,” the “Arches," Ancient (at least 3000 years old) Mine Shafts, Rock Carvings, and a Temple dedicated to the Egyptian Goddess Hathor. Today, the park has become a recreational destination for Israelis and tourists alike, containing a replica of the biblical Tabernacle, a large artificial man-made lake, a fascinating 360-degree multimedia experience called the Mines of Time, Bedouin Hospitality, overnight camping facilities, bicycle rides, archery, a rock-climbing wall and a handicraft workshop. The park also offers around 20 different hiking trails to explore the valley. Jewish National Fund has played a major role in the park's planning and development.
Although the mines were rediscovered in the 19th century, only when American archaeologist Nelson Glueck theorized in 1930s that the mines were connected to King Solomon, public awareness increased. Nelson Glueck believed that King Solomon, who reigned in the 10th century BCE, was responsible for the mines, and Timna Valley became a center of scientific and religious inquiry. Glueck named the site "King Solomons Mines," but the subsequent excavations have not supported his theory. In 1959, Professor Rothenberg, director of the Institute for Archeo-Metalurgical Studies at University College, London, led the Arabah Expedition, and by 1990 he discovered everything that makes up what Timna Valley Park is today.
On behalf of the Midrasha hiking club, we were supposed to walk 12 km in the Timnah Valley Park. The trail was one of the toughest we had this season and the hiking involved a few phases of real rock climbing. Eventually, we realized that time is not enough to complete the whole track and so short cuts were adopted to skip some sections of the expected hiking routes.
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