Shimron

Tel Shimron (Hebrew: תל שמרון) is an archaeological site and nature reserve in the Jezreel Valley. Shimron was the name of a major city in the north of Israel throughout antiquity. It is mentioned in the Hebrew Bible by this name, and in other period sources as Shim'on. It became an administrative center under Assyrian, Babylonian and Persian rule. During the early Roman period, the city was expanded and fortified by Herod, who renamed it Sebastiya in honor of emperor Augustus. In Late Antiquity, it was known by the name Simonias (Hebrew: סימונייה), as mentioned by Flavius Josephus. The Arabic name of the site is Tell Samunia, also written Samunieh. Tel Shimron is located northeast of modern moshav Nahalal on the western edge of the Nazareth range, on the border between the Lower Galilee and the Jezreel Valley. Its location at the intersection of the Lower Galilee ranges and the Jezreel Valley, as well as its proximity to the Acre (Akko) Plain, made it an important part of trade routes through the area. In recent years, the site is being excavated by Tel Shimron Excavations (2016-present; for homepage see here) in cooperation with the Jezreel Valley Regional Project.