Timna Valley

Timna Valley is a significant archaeological site located in southern Israel, known for its extensive history of copper mining dating back to the 5th millennium BCE. The valley features unique geological formations such as Solomon's Pillars and the Mushroom, alongside remnants of ancient mining activities. It was a crucial mining site during the Late Bronze Age under Egyptian control, with a temple dedicated to Hathor. The Edomites later exploited the mines in the early Iron Age. The site also provides evidence of the earliest domesticated camels in the region, suggesting significant trade and cultural interactions. The mining activities continued into the Nabataean, Roman, and Umayyad periods. Timna Valley's archaeological findings have reshaped our understanding of ancient technologies and societies in the Levant.