Tel Megiddo facts for kids
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מגידו
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Aerial view of Tel Megiddo
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 Location in Israel
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| Location | Near Kibbutz Megiddo, Israel |
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| Region | Levant |
| Coordinates | 32°35′4.64″N 35°11′0.58″E / 32.5846222°N 35.1834944°E |
| Type | Settlement |
| History | |
| Founded | c. 7000 BCE |
| Abandoned | 586 BCE |
| Official name | Biblical Tells – Megiddo, Hazor, Beer Sheba |
| Type | Cultural |
| Criteria | ii, iii, iv, vi |
| Designated | 2005 (29th session) |
| Reference no. | 1108 |
| State Party | Israel |
| Region | Asia-Pacific |
Megiddo (Hebrew: מגידו) is an ancient hill in Israel. It is located near the modern village of Megiddo. This place is famous for its history, geography, and even its connection to religious stories.
In ancient times, Megiddo was a very important city-state. A city-state was like a small country with its own city and surrounding land. People also know Megiddo as Tel Megiddo (in Hebrew) or Tell al-Mutesellim (in Arabic). Some religious texts, like the Christian Bible, suggest that a final great battle called Armageddon will happen here. The name "Armageddon" actually comes from the Hebrew name of this place!
Contents
What is Tel Megiddo?
Megiddo is a special kind of hill called a tel. A tel is a mound made up of many layers of old cities built one on top of another. Imagine building a new city on the ruins of an older one, and then doing that 26 times! That's what happened at Megiddo.
Why is Megiddo a "Tell"?
Megiddo was built in a very important spot. It sits at the top of a pass through the Carmel Ridge. This ridge is a chain of hills. From Megiddo, you can look out over the Valley of Jezreel. This location was perfect for controlling trade routes and armies. Because it was so important, many different groups wanted to control it. When one city was destroyed, another was often built right on top of its ruins. This created the tall "tell" we see today.
Megiddo as a World Heritage Site
Because of its amazing history and archaeological importance, Tel Megiddo is a World Heritage Site. This means it's recognized by UNESCO as a place that is important to all of humanity. It helps us understand how people lived thousands of years ago.
Images for kids
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Late Bronze Age city gate
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View of Jezreel Valley and Mount Tabor from Megiddo
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Circular altar-like shrine from the Early Bronze Age
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Female sphynx plaque, made of ivory, from Megiddo (1300-1200 BCE)
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Southern stables
See also
In Spanish: Megido para niños
