Country Israel | ||
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Similar Nahal Sorek Reserve, HaBesor Stream, Horvat Midras, Hurshat Tal National Park, Odem Forest Reserve | ||
Nachal Gerar, also Nachal Grar (Hebrew: נחל גרר) is a wadi in Israel, in the Negev desert. The Arabic name of the wadi is Wadi esh-Sheri'a (also Wady el Sharia and other variations). Along this wadi, there are several important ancient Bronze Age archaeological sites. During the Early Iron Age this was an area of Philistine settlement.
Contents
Map of Nahal Grar
Geography
Nachal Gerar begins on the border between the northern Negev and the southwest foothills of Judaean Mountains, near the village of Lahav. Then the wadi flows west near the city of Lehavim, and along the southern edge of a large Bedouin town of Rahat. Then it enters the country on the northwestern edge of the Negev near the town of Netivot, where the area is currently being turned into agricultural use. Near the village of Re'im, it flows into Nahal Besor, of which it is the main affluent.
Nature reserve
The lower river area is now a nature reserve used by tourists. The Jewish National Fund is carrying out forest planting and the development of hiking trails.
The reserve consists of two parts. The first has an area of about 2,000 dunams (2 square kilometers) and is located between Rahat and Tidhar, the other has an area of about 5,500 dunams (5.5 square kilometers) and lies between the villages Ranen and Re'im.
Archaeology
Along Nachal Gerar, there are several important Bronze Age archaeological sites. The major settlement of this area started at the time of the Egyptian Middle Kingdom, and continued into the New Kingdom, when some significant Egyptian settlements were founded. After the decline of the Egyptian sites, during the Early Iron Age, this area became culturally influenced by the Philistine settlers.
The major sites in this area are Tel Haror/Tell Abu Hareira, and Tel Shera/Tell esh-Sheri'a. Even further east along the river there are also the sites of Tel Halif/Tell el-Khuweilifeh and Tell Beit Mirsim.
Near Tel Haror, in the neighbourhood of the modern town of Tidhar, there are numerous historical mounds, some of them not excavated. Some scholars believe that Tel Haror was the ancient Sharuhen fortress of the Hyksos.
Biblical connections
Nachal Grar is named after the Biblical sites mentioned in the Book of Genesis 20.1: "Abraham went thence into the country of Negeb, and settled between Kadesh and Shur; sojourning in Gerar." The city of Gerar is now generally believed to be located at Tel Haror/Tell Abu Hareira.