Bet-She'an National Park, Israel

Bet-She'an National Park,

This is what happens when people find a great location to raise their families and it's all at the same place.  There was running water, food for livestock, central location on a major trade route in the Jordan Valley and agreeable neighbors.  That is why there are 15 occupational layers in Bet She'an National Park.  The most important one was from the Bronze age with Egyption occupation in Canaan. The last one ended in the 8th century when an earthquake shook all that rock and mortar and left a terrible mess. No one wanted to clean it up so everyone left and moved about 5 miles down the road.

Public Latrine at Bet-She'an

   On the plus side of this ruin is: it is the best preserved Roman-Byzantine city in Israel.  The theater, which was built around 200 CE, could seat 7,000 spectators.  It has the largest Byzantine Bath House in Israel plus an exercise facility.  Unlike ruins the the United States, a visitor could walk anyplace on the site. That was a big plus for photographers.

Stage used today for theater performances.

Submitted by Bernadette Heath, photographer and writer, Janet Webb Farnsworth, writer of  "Grandma Needs a Four-Wheel Drive, Adventure Travel for Seniors."  www.grandmaneedsafour-wheeldrive.com