UNESCO Names Seven New World Heritage Sites in Israel

August 1, 2005

UNESCO Names Seven New World Heritage Sites in Israel
August 1, 2005 – The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization has added seven new Israeli archaeological sites to its list of World Heritage Sites. Three of the newly designated sites are archaeological tells, prehistoric mounds that conceal layers of ancient settlement dating back to biblical times or earlier. The tells of Megiddo, Hazor and Beer Sheba are considered among the most outstanding of some 200 tells that dot the Israeli landscape, and date back to biblical times. Four historic desert cities, active in the time of the Nabatean spice trade, were also added to the UNESCO list. The cities of Ovdat, Shivta, Halutza and Mamsheet are all in the Negev desert. Israel’s three previous World Heritage Sites are Masada, the Old City of Acre, and the architecturally significant "White City" of Tel Aviv.