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ONCE UPON A PARK
Timna Story
Timna: The Cradle of Copper
Step back over 7,000 years into a time when the first humans harnessed the power of metal for their survival and prosperity. Copper, the cornerstone of ancient metallurgy, marks the beginning of humanity’s enduring relationship with this versatile element.
Timna Park uncovers the traces and remnants of a bygone copper empire dating back over 6,000 years, where evidence of one of the oldest metalworking cultures on earth whispers tales of innovation and endurance, showcasing an epic saga of a once sophisticated civilization that thrived on the mastery of this crucial resource.
The golden era of Timna unfurls from the depths of history over 3,000 years ago, spanning from the end of the 14th century to the dawn of the 9th century BCE. This half-millennium of flourishing activity witnessed the zenith of copper mining and production, a testament to the ingenuity of our ancestors, leaving behind a treasure trove of artefacts at residential and industrial sites, worship sites, artistic engravings, rock paintings and burial sites. These remnants provide a vivid snapshot of the lives, labour, beliefs, and artistic expression of those ancient miners and their communities, offering us a window into their complex social, economic, cultural, and spiritual existence, the very essence of a civilization that thrived on the riches beneath their feet.


The narrative of Timna is intertwined with the majesty of the Egyptian pharaohs and the hardy spirit of the local desert dwellers. Between the late 14th and mid-12th centuries BCE, the landscape of Timna was transformed by the expeditions of Egyptian pharaohs and the ‘Rathmu’, who introduced expertise, manpower, and local resources to escalate copper mining and production. The ‘Temple of the Miners’, a sacred site blessed by the touch of Hathor, the Egyptian goddess, stands as a monument to this era of cross-cultural exchange and technological prowess, rich with artefacts accurately dated, bearing silent witness to the profound impact of Egyptian endeavours in Timna.
As the Egyptian influence waned, the torch of copper mining and production was passed to the indigenous desert communities. The evidence unearthed suggests a diverse society where men, women, and children all played role. This continuation highlights the resilience and adaptability of the local people, who maintained and evolved the copper industry in their own right.
In the 10th century BCE, Timna witnessed a significant expansion and sophistication in copper production, marking a new era of industrial prowess. Operations were centralized in strategically fortified and meticulously organized industrial zones, notably ‘Slaves’ Hill’ within Timna Park, and another key location known as ‘Timna 30’. This surge in activity is identified by researchers as a hallmark of the early Kingdom of Edom, positioning these sites as vital southern outposts in the broader narrative of ancient metallurgy.
An archaeological expedition led by Prof. Erez Ben-Yosef and his team from Tel Aviv University challenged a longstanding belief held for nearly half a century, which credited the famed King Solomon’s mines to ancient Egypt. Prof. Ben-Yosef’s findings illuminated that the zenith of copper mining in the region actually occurred in the 10th century BCE, aligning with the era of the United Monarchy of Israel under King David and Solomon. This revelation has not only rewritten a chapter of history but also rightfully reassigned the legendary mines to their biblical sovereign, King Solomon, reinstating a piece of lost heritage.
The research into Timna’s connections with the broader landscape of Israel—spanning the mountain ridges, lowlands, and coastal areas—reveals significant interactions with the Land of Israel. The analysis of preserved dung indicates grape seeds, suggesting that donkeys were fed grape pomace, the byproduct of wine pressing, as a dense nutritional source typical of the Mediterranean climate. Remarkably, Timna has yielded evidence of all ‘seven species’ mentioned in biblical texts, alongside fish bones from species native to the Mediterranean Sea, underscoring the region’s extensive ecological and economic networks.


Crimson Fabric
A pioneering study conducted by the Israel Antiquities Authority, Tel Aviv University, and Bar Ilan University unearthed the remarkable discovery of exceptional quality textiles dyed with pigments sourced from Mediterranean sea snails and the ‘dyers’ Madder plant. The distinctive purple colour identified in these textiles is reminiscent of the prestigious garments worn by nobility and royal priests, echoing descriptions found in ancient biblical texts.
Further enriching Timna’s historical narrative, Prof. Erez Ben-Yosef’s team uncovered the oldest known remains of a domesticated camel in Israel, dating back to the late 10th century BCE. This finding highlights the camel’s inaugural role as a beast of burden, providing invaluable insights into early civilisations’ advanced capabilities and environmental adaptations. These discoveries not only shed light on the innovative spirit and intricate relationships between ancient societies and their surroundings but also significantly contribute to our understanding of historical progress.