Ein Gedi (archaeological site)
עתיקות עין גדי | |
| Location | Israel |
|---|---|
| Region | Judean Desert |
| Coordinates | 31°27′41″N 35°23′33″E / 31.46139°N 35.39250°E |
| Altitude | 638 m (2,093 ft) |
| Type | Settlement, synagogue |
| Part of | Ein Gedi |
| History | |
| Periods | Chalcolithic, Iron Age, Hellenistic period, Roman period, Byzantine period |
| Cultures | |
| Site notes | |
| Condition | In ruins |
| Ownership | Israel Nature and Parks Authority |
| Public access | Yes |
Ein Gedi (Hebrew: עין גדי) was an ancient settlement located in the Judaean Desert, along the western shore of the Dead Sea. In antiquity, it was an important Jewish settlement. The remains of the settlement are part of an archaeological park situated in southern Israel.
Ein Gedi is frequently mentioned in the Bible, in the works of Josephus, in rabbinic literature, and in early Christian sources. The site was inhabited during different periods, and the earliest activity dates to the Chalcolithic period. The ruins, including a 6th-century synagogue, testify to a continuous Jewish settlement in the area between the 5th century BCE to the 7th century CE.
Adjacent to the archaeological park is the Ein Gedi Nature Reserve, a national park known for its oasis, waterfalls, and walking trails. To the south lies modern Ein Gedi, a kibbutz (collective community) established in 1954.