Last December we reported on damage to Israel’s Mediterranean coastline here (Ashkelon) and here (Caesarea). Now we learn, in an article by Karin Kloosterman, that Israel is spending lots of money to protect the eroding coastline.
A new government initiative worth $135 million will turn about 10 miles of stretches of the Israeli coast into a series of reinforcements and public parks to be enjoyed by locals and tourists. Some of the parks will run through archeological sites of interest.
Kloosterman’s article features the work of geological archaeologist Dr. Beverly Goodman, University of Haifa. Goodman explains the importance of the coastline.
“What we are looking at in Caesarea, on the coastal cliffs, is that we have areas where the coastline has changed so much – and we actually have antiquities that are being eroded into the sea.”
The article says,
Goodman had just finished recording details about the seafloor and archeological remains. After the storm, she returned to her underwater lab to find that some 80 percent of what she’d surveyed had been destroyed or washed away.
You may find a few humorous things in Kloostermann article.
Historically, Israel’s coastal area is important not only for today’s population. According to the Christian Gospels, the Apostle Peter was imprisoned in Caesarea after being arrested in Jerusalem, and an inscription bearing the Christian scriptural name Pontius Pilate was found here.
Our readers will know that it was Peter who first preached the gospel at Caesarea (Acts 10-11), but that it was Paul who was imprisoned at Caesarea (Acts 23-26).
Reporters do have deadlines! Otherwise, the article is fascinating and may be read here.
Our aerial photo, made May 11, shows the main part of Caesarea. The Herodian harbor is on the left. The hippodrome is in the upper center of the photo, and the Roman theater is to the extreme upper right.
Aerial view of Caesarea Maritima. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.
This photo, made April 28, shows some of the damage done to one of the old buildings at the ancient harbor.
Caesarea storm damage from December 2010. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.
HT: Joseph Lauer
Ferrell's Travel Blog 
You must be logged in to post a comment.