Pupils from the Nofim Elementary School in Migdal HaEmeq, guided and accompanied by the Antiquities Authority, have established a community archaeological park in Migdal HaEmeq.

A first of its kind educational-archaeological project is taking place these days between the ‘Ein Hilo and Mujidal antiquities sites in Migdal HaEmeq. During the past year approximately 140 third-sixth grade pupils in the Nofim elementary school in Migdal HaEmeq studied archaeology and history and participated in excavations that the Antiquities Authority is carrying out in the field. Upon the conclusion of the project the area will now be transferred to the responsibility of the pupils and become a community educational park for the benefit of the local residents.

With the help of the Antiquities Authority staff the pupils created unique signage that is posted on the approach path to the park Stone benches were also set in place that have been decorated with distinctive drawings done on ceramic tiles that were illustrated by the pupils. The tiles are accompanied by captions in the historical spirit of the place.

Some three years ago the Antiquities Authority conducted excavations on the slope between two ancient settlement sites: the site of Ein Hilo which was inhabited from the Bronze Age until the days of the Kingdom of Israel (2,200-1,000 BCE), and the site of Mujidal, where a settlement was established in the Persian period (c. 500 BCE). In an area that was originally used to cultivate crops, process agricultural products, produce building materials and conduct burials, wine presses for producing wine, burial caves and stone quarries have been found. Having brought the Ministry of Construction and Housing on board, which funded the excavations, the Antiquities Authority’s Archaeological Center of the Galilee and the municipality of Migdal HaEmeq, together with the help of the Nature Protection Society, decided to involve the pupils in the work and turn the site into an educational-community park. The park will provide an external study environment where programs dealing with history, archaeology, nature, landscape and heritage will be taught.

At 11:00 AM Thursday June 19, 2007 the park will be entrusted to the pupils, in an event to be attended by the mayor, the director general of the Antiquities Authority and the northern district archaeologist of the Antiquities Authority. A celebration will take place in the archaeological park that will include treading on grapes in a wine press, nature activities and a ceremony that was prepared by the pupils.