Bringing Heritage to the Public, in the "Antiquities Near Home" Project

A new archaeological park, centered around an ancient and impressive winepress for industrial wine production, dating back over 1400 years – one of the most impressive discovered in the Judean Shfela – was inaugurated for public visitation in Moshav Zrachia in the Shafir Regional Council, in the Judean Shfela. The winepress has been preserved and stands at the center of a new archaeological park.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by the Director General of the Ministry of Heritage, Itai Grank, the Director of the Israel Antiquities Authority, Eli Eskozido, the Head of the Shafir Regional Council, Adir Ne'eman, and representatives of the Ministry of Agriculture, the Drainage Authority and the Ministry of Culture, along with residents of Zrachia. The development of the site in Zrachia for visitors was completed as part of the "Antiquities Near Home" project, led by the Ministry of Heritage and the Israel Antiquities Authority throughout the country. The project encourages authorities to cultivate archaeological sites within their boundaries, in cooperation with the community. During archaeological excavations conducted by the Israel Antiquities Authority in the years 2011-2024, among other things, a sophisticated winepress was uncovered, dating back to the Byzantine period (5th-7th centuries CE). The entire winepress was paved with a well-preserved white industrial mosaic, in which a work surface with a place for a pressing screw, four large cells, some of which were used for the initial fermentation of the wine and storage of the grapes brought from the vineyards, an intermediate pit, and two collection pits (pits where the wine was stored after the initial fermentation was completed) were revealed.

Svetlana Tallis and Ilan Peretz, excavation managers on behalf of the Israel Antiquities Authority: "The sophisticated winepress in Zrachia is an impressive testament to a developed wine industry that existed here during the Byzantine period, and marketed wine not only to the residents of the region but also to distant markets." As part of the work to develop the site, led by the conservation experts of the Israel Antiquities Authority, the original mosaic was restored, the ancient wine production facilities were preserved, and the pressing technology was restored by installing a wooden screw. For demonstration purposes, replicas of ancient wine jugs were also placed on the site. At the same time, a public area was prepared on the site, including a small amphitheater with a shading pergola, benches, bicycle parking facilities, an accessibility path for people with disabilities, vegetation and explanatory signs.

Ami Shahar, Deputy Director General of Built Heritage Conservation at the Israel Antiquities Authority: "The winepress was exposed in the area of two plots intended for construction, and due to the importance of the finds - in fruitful cooperation with the council, they were converted into an open public area, which will allow residents and visitors to enjoy the heritage alongside daily life. Our goal at the Israel Antiquities Authority is not only to preserve the archaeological find, but also to return the area to community use."

The Minister of Heritage, Rabbi Amichai Eliyahu: "The 'Antiquities Near Home' project expresses the common vision of us and the Antiquities Authority - to bring the heritage to the public right in their living environment. The connection of the residents of Zrachia and the students of the region to the thousands-year-old site is a wonderful example of how heritage conservation and the creation of tourist and educational attractions are integrated together. We will continue to invest in collaborations with local authorities throughout the country, so that every community can enjoy the glorious past that lies beneath its feet."

Adir Ne'eman, Head of the Shafir Regional Council, said: "The launch of the new archaeological park in Zrachia is an important moment for the residents of the council. The site will allow the younger generation in schools and youth movements to learn firsthand about the history of the region, and will serve as a center for community, educational and tourist activity. We are proud to be partners in this important project, which strengthens the sense of belonging to the place and gives added value to the daily lives of the residents."

Eli Eskozido, Director of the Israel Antiquities Authority: "It is exciting to see a 1,400-year-old heritage site, which was uncovered in excavations, come to life and become a community and educational asset in the center of a settlement. This site is a real gem, and I am sure it will become a magnet for visitors near - and far. We at the Israel Antiquities Authority are happy to see the growing recognition among the authorities throughout the country of the importance of making heritage accessible to residents right near their homes. I would like to commend the fruitful cooperation with the Shafir Regional Council and government ministries, thanks to which we completed the establishment of the archaeological park."

You are invited to watch the video, filming and editing: Emil Aljam, Israel Antiquities Authority:

Photograph = The archaeological park inaugurated in Zrachia. Photo: Emil Aljam, Israel Antiquities Authority