Timna Valley

Timna is the name of a national park in modern Israel. The adjacent current copper mine has the same name opened in 1955, closed in 1976 and reopened in 1980. The name was taken from a tribal leader of the nearby ancient state Edom ( 1.Mose 36,40 ). The National Park is located about 25 kilometers north of Eilat.

The archaeological Timna national park with ancient copper mines and the remains of a city ( Hurvat Timna ) is located west of modern mine in the Wadi Arabah, near the Gulf of Aqaba on the edge of the Negev Desert.

History

Even during the 4th millennium BC, was built from the area of Timna copper ore. After a gap of more than a millennium began in the 14th century, the copper extraction and processing again. In the 12th century, the Egyptians showed extraordinary interest in Timna, but the mines were soon under the control of the Midianites, who had connections to the Israelites according to the Bible by Moses ' marriage to the daughter of the Midianite priest Jethro.

The Egyptians built despite Midianite resistance in Timna a temple of their goddess Hathor, the Midian transformed into a tent sanctuary, had the similarity with the Israelite tabernacle and in which a partially gilt copper coil was found. The excavations in the years 1964-1970 revealed several melting and forging evident, which turned out to belong to the 12th century. In the 1930s, the American Nelson Glueck, the famous copper mines of Solomon described in the Bible believed to have (1 Kings 7.46 EU) found. Later studies revealed, however, that there was here no discoveries from the 10th century, which indicate a significant copper production.

Geological Attractions

Arguably the most impressive and most interesting rock formation in Timna National Park are the so-called Solomon's Pillars dar. This as -looking columns, huge structures have been created naturally by erosion, and are also accessible by a hiking trail. In the upper part, even an inscription of Egyptian origin are found.

More caused by erosion, mushroom-shaped rock formations are found throughout the National Park and characterize the overall picture.