Continuing the series of articles "Our Story" (which brings the story of Haifa's neighborhoods), this time - the story of the Camp of David neighborhood, and like the other articles, I will focus on the archaeological story of the neighborhood, since this is the lesser known side to many.
Neve David is located near the western entrance of Haifa, bordered between the Ascension Gate (north of it), Ramat Hanasi on the east side, and on the west - bordering the sea. On the southern side of the neighborhood is the Haifa cemetery, located at the mouth of Wadi Shih. Admittedly, the current neighborhood was founded in 1951, first as a transit point and only in 1956 did the construction of the residences begin, but the archaeological find showed remains of a settlement that existed there already 8,000 years ago. In the area of the neighborhood there is still a part of Kfar Samir that was located there, and some of the village houses are still inhabited by several families.
The archaeological research in the neighborhood
Most of the research in the neighborhood is based on surveys and salvage excavations carried out by the Antiquities Authority during the development of the neighborhood and construction work. The first survey was carried out as part of the Haifa West Survey in 1965-1966, carried out by a team led by Ya'acov Olimi and Avraham Ronan, on behalf of the Association for the Archaeological Survey of Israel and the Antiquities Authority.
Archaeological excavations began in the area of the neighborhood in the early nineties of the last century. Among the excavations were salvage excavations by the Antiquities Authority as a result of the development works (such as the excavation on King Shlomo Street), but there were also several research excavations such as those of the University of Haifa at Petah Nahal Shih, where a prehistoric site was found.
The most striking thing from the research is the wealth of the archaeological sites in the area of the neighborhood: in the sea is the site Kfar Samir with the remains of a village from 8,000 years ago, in the area of the neighborhood burial caves from the Intermediate Bronze Age (about 4,200 years before our time), the ruins of Kestra in the southern part of the neighborhood and a prehistoric site were found At the mouth of Nahal Shih, next to the cemeteries and further down the wadi, the site of the Carmelite monastery from the 12th century AD.
The results of the archaeological surveys and excavations
As I mentioned, the surveys and excavations revealed that a number of major archaeological sites extend within the area of the neighborhood and its borders. I will mention the results of the excavations and the main discoveries among these sites:
Neve David
The earliest site in the area of the neighborhood is the prehistoric site at the mouth of Nahal Shih, on the north bank of the stream, called "Neveh David". The site was excavated by the University of Haifa in 1984 and remains associated with the Stone Age, approximately 18,000 to 10,000 years before our time, were discovered. The site is of great importance for the study of the culture called "the Kabbar culture" (the name refers to the Kabara cave located south of the Yaakov memorial, where this culture was first identified), since until now, this culture has been studied in small centers at different sites. Camp David is the first site where excavations were conducted, the main purpose of which is the study of this period. The findings include, among others: flint tools typical of the period, bones and deer antlers.
The most important find is a grave in which a skeleton of a man was buried who was 25-30 years old, and is considered one of the oldest graves known to us so far. In addition, remains of floors paved with stones were found. It should be noted that at that time people lived on stone-paved surfaces and tents were built on top of them. Of course, tents have not survived to this day.
A little south of the prehistoric site, further down King Solomon Street, a rescue excavation was carried out by the Antiquities Authority, during which the remains of two graves dating to the Middle Bronze Age (2400-2000 BC) were uncovered. The graves were carved in the shape of a bell pit and in them were found pottery that was typical of the period for the coastal strip In additional excavations conducted in the vicinity (a few meters from the caves), the remains of a vat dating to the Byzantine period and the remains of a kiln for the production of ceramic vessels were found, the date of use of which could not be determined during the excavations due to the poor preservation of the kiln.
Wadi Shikh
In the area of the wadi itself (shrub creek) there are several sites. We will mention the main ones:
Bustan Hayat
The garden of the Hiat family, started in 1936. Its area is 6.5 dunams and it was built inspired by the Arab gardens and includes waterfalls, fountains, pools and canals that connect the parts of the garden. After the death of Aziz Hayat, the garden passed to his daughter Lucy, and in 1972, it was sold to the Haifa municipality, which included it in the list of sites for preservation. In 2008, the coalition to maintain the Hayat Park was established, which together with the Council for the Preservation of Sites, other entities and a number of residents, maintain the park and take care of it.
The church and monastery complex
Further down the wadi is the church complex, which includes several components that together tell the story of the beginning of the Carmelite nuns in the country: on the northern side of the wadi you can see the monks' caves which were used by the first monks who settled there in the 12th century AD. Among the caves you can find those with two floors and in them there is an internal staircase leading from the first floor to the second. . Sea of the Church and Monastery of the Carmelites.
The church and monastery are on the south side of the wadi. Apparently, the church was built on two floors, as evidenced by a staircase that has been partially preserved to this day. The site was abandoned after the fall of the Crusader Kingdom. Next to the church are the remains of the monastery which, according to Victor Gren, was named after Saint Brocardus.
The marine find
Parts of the neighborhood are on the beach and are built on part of the area of Kfar Samir. In these areas, an underwater survey was carried out between the years 1991-1995 (on behalf of the Maritime Unit of the Antiquities Authority under the management of Dr. A. Galili and Y. Sharvit). In 2014, an underwater archaeological excavation was carried out, as part of a collaboration between the Institute of Archeology S. Zinman at Haifa University and the Antiquities Authority (link to the full article):
Kfar Samir
The survey conducted in the years 1991-1995, showed the remains of a settlement from the Neolithic period, which is now under the surface of the water due to the rise of the sea level. The results of the survey also included a section of pavement made of small stones (the size of the stones ranged from 5-7 cm). On the pavement was found a fragment of a wooden bowl. To the west of the pavement, the survey showed the remains of a well dug within the clay layer and associated with that period.
The test excavations that were conducted later on the site, brought up additional findings: the remains of a plexus made of thin branches that were probably used by a weed that was used in the process of producing olive oil. Carbon 14 testing showed that the date of the Eqel ranged from 5,000-4,730 years BC, that is, about 7,000 years before our time.
Later, another excavation was carried out which focused on the built well that served as a water source for the settlement which was near the beach. The date of the well was determined according to the findings discovered approximately 7,800 years before our time. The well was built of stones combined with tree branches and is considered the oldest wooden construction known to us. The well is at a depth of 5-7 meters below the water surface.
The two marine finds are considered to be the earliest evidence known to us, both for the olive oil industry and the earliest built well.
exciting
It's really amazing what is near my house, and I didn't know,
I was born in 1952 in a hut in Camp David. We moved to live in a permanent structure in 1958. I remember the antiquity in the area of Kfar Samir. A Muslim family lived there who worked in pottery. There was also an ancient water pool in the area of the cemetery, where a family lived who kept the place religiously. The antiquities of the monastery were used by several monks for prayers. I remember them coming down from the mountain wearing brown nun clothes and a belt hanging around their waist. Lovely childhood memories. Thanks for the article that allows me to remember good times. At the same time, it is unfortunate that an ancient site that was partially preserved and testifies to the history of the place was not a resource for the benefit of the population that later became a center of crime and drugs.
Thank you very much for the reference. I agree with you and what you wrote. It's unfortunate that in a city like Haifa that has many attractions, the heritage sites that can be a source of pride for Haifa residents for having deep roots in the place and on the other hand a tourist resource, all the sites are unfortunately neglected and neglected
As a rep
exciting!
Intriguing.
There are of course the findings found in "Kastra".
Is there a reference to this?
History "under the nose"
Thanks!
Hello. I did write in the article that the neighborhood borders on castra duty. I will post a special article about the excavations on the site
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What a stunning neighborhood
Dr. Kamil Sari,
Thank you.
Very interesting.
Eyal Shalom.
In your comment to Rambi regarding the two letters and (in words like Neve), you write that he is misleading
B. U. D. E. I. N.
Without going into the question of which of the two of you is right (by the way, both of you are right), you may have made a mistake when you wrote the word knowingly.
As it were, Rambi knows he is wrong and is knowingly/deliberately misleading.
I guess the word just "disintegrated" into your sentence.
good week
Noah David
Doubling O' to Neve is a common mistake.
Feel free to check in the Bible.
The invention W originated from a failed English translation that suggested using the letter w: newe david. Wait then why not to the end?
New David. What is different from David Manova? Ochi Neve David?
You understand Rambi, that you are knowingly misleading.
Name of the neighborhoods:
Noah David Neve Shanan.
The English translation should be
Neve David, Neve Shaanan.
The V sound v = written with one V. It's not a w sound.
In the 1955s, as stated in the article, we were the children of the laboratory, which became a risk starting in XNUMX, visiting the families in Wadi Shih, one of his sons, Hassan, as I think, served as the lifeguard on the almost Biter beach and would sometimes drive us on his company. We also operated from the boss and the running water which would be a complete contrast to the conditions in the laboratory...
Fascinating, thanks to Dr Kamil for the learned information
Thank you!
In the past I have traveled in the Nahal Shih area quite a bit while enjoying an amazing view that combines sea, wadi, vegetation, quiet and nature and all this right in the heart of the city and within walking distance, or at most a short drive, of the abundance of cafes and restaurants (and even ice cream parlors for children and actually for those who were once, long ago children ..) located at both ends of the track.
The article made me want to go back and walk in the lovely Nahal Shih and add to the experience another layer of knowledge and historical background that, in my opinion, upgrade the already lovely route even more.
Greetings. Feel free to contact us and arrange a trip. In general, Haifa is a charming city and has many neighborhoods with wealth and a fascinating multiculturalism that is not found in other places.
My Facebook page has all the details, you can contact me and arrange a tour
0524284356
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As a child I studied at the Nirim school in Camp David. During breaks or after school we would go to the village and pick red and white wild strawberries. Childhood memories ☺️
A fascinating article.
Is there an explanation for the rising sea water that covered Kfar Samir?
About 10,000 years ago a change in the weather began and some of the glaciers in the North Pole began to melt. This change and the melting of the glaciers caused a rise in the sea level and many settlements that were along the coast sank under the water.
Dear Kamil,
Neve David you write again and again, well done!
Perhaps you are able to convince our backward municipality to change all the signage throughout the city from Neve to Neve, when it is of course Neve Shanan, Neve Yosef, Neve Paz and Neve David neighborhoods?
This is the rule in Hebrew just like a will and not a stool, Switzerland and not Switzerland, menstruation and not menstruation, television and not television, air and air...
Friends Hello
Regarding the spelling of Neve David or Neve David, I checked the issue with the Language Academy and according to the academy the correct spelling is Neve David, Neve Shanan, etc. That is, times the letter W.
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Fascinating review Dr. Kamil. Thank you.
Thank you for your response and support.
What is certain is that every developer will think more about whether to take and develop the permit since it will be required to do rescue excavations before construction. As described by the Rav, the hidden is greater than the visible.
The tenements there look like they are 18,000 years old, that's for sure.
Flooding Neve David in 30-story towers is the only solution,
But we must make sure that at the end of the process, because the whole neighborhood sits on one street that drains to Ramat Hanasi - there will be no slums even worse than Habiva Reich Street. Already today, before the evacuation of Benue David, King Solomon and King David streets are sometimes congested and congestion is felt
towards the sea road. I don't want to think what will happen with the addition of residents right now. I understand why the municipality is hysterical to build another exit
Higher than the President's level, but it won't solve anything because everything will once again drain into huge traffic jams that will form on the sea route, it will be like Freud and the Eshkol level.
Therefore, the solution is strong public transportation
Fascinating review. Thanks.
The title is misleading.
The neighborhood was founded in 1951, and archaeological finds dating back to about 18,1000 years ago were found there.
181000 or 1800, is there a big difference????
Hello. Indeed the neighborhood was founded in 1951 and it is written in the article. The title aims to emphasize that the neighborhood has deep roots since the remains of a settlement from 18,000 years ago were found. Thanks for the comment.
18,000 eighteen thousand years before our time