“Manasseh had Beth-shean and its towns and Ibleam and its towns, and the inhabitants of Dor and its town”Joshua 17:11
Given to the tribe of Manasseh, Bet Shean is one of Israel's richest archeological sites consisting of about 18 successive towns throughout its history. Because the location is between Mount Gilboa and the Gilead mountains within the rift valley, it has access to many water sources including the Jordan River and the various tributaries flowing from Mount Gilboa. Bet Shean has two major archeological sites, which consist of the Tel (archeological mound) and the Greek-Roman city below with some smaller archeological evidence in the Arab and Crusader periods.
Once you hike up to the top of the archeological mound, you will find remains mostly from the Canaanite period. First occupied by the Egyptians during Thutmose III reign in the 15th century BCE, the Tel reveals the remains of an Egyptian administration center and has a replica of the statue of Ramses III. In the 11th century this Tel was captured by the Philistines and remained that way until King David conquered it in the late 10th century. During the reign of King Saul, he set out to war against this Philistine city and eventually met his fate nearby at Mount Gilboa. His body and the bodies of his sons were hung on the Bet Shean walls (1 Samuel 30:1).
Below the Tel was a beautiful city first built by the Greek-Hellenists in the 3rd century BCE named Scythopholis, possibly from the Scythian merchants who dwelt there. Later, the Hasmoneans, the Romans, and then the Byzantines added to Bet Shean's gorgeous architecture. You will find a Greek temple, Roman bathhouses, a hippodrome, mosaics, a synagogue, a Roman cardo street with colonnades, and a huge Roman theater seating up to 8000 people. You can watch a short video that will introduce you to the archeological experience and make the history of Israel come alive.
Today Bet Shean is a well-populated modern town with shopping malls, restaurants and coffee houses to enjoy. The outdoor Roman theater is used for concerts featuring famous Israeli music artists and large events.
