Azekah

Azekah, an ancient town situated in the Shephela region, played a significant role in the defensive network of Judea. The site is identified with the biblical town of Azekah and was inhabited during the Canaanite period. Archaeological evidence indicates it was fortified, featuring structures like fortresses and towers. It was a crucial site during the Iron Age, witnessing events such as the Assyrian campaign under Sennacherib and the final stand against the Babylonians before Jerusalem's fall. The site was later re-occupied following the Babylonian captivity. Excavations have revealed a complex history of settlement, fortification, and industry, including an ancient olive-press, highlighting Azekah's strategic and economic importance in ancient Judea.