Eshkol National Park
National park in the Northern Negev with a Byzantine mosaic.
Eshkol National Park (גן לאומי אשכול) sits in the Northern Negev of Israel, close to Gaza. Spanning 875 acres (3,540 dunams), the park features grassy lawns and shaded picnic spots. At its heart lies the largest spring of the Besor basin, called Ein HaBesor in Hebrew and Ein Shalala in Arabic. This spring draws from a shallow aquifer replenished by winter rain runoff.
To the east of the springs rises the mound of Khirbet Shalala. During the Second Battle of Gaza in World War I, ANZAC troops uncovered a detailed animal mosaic there, part of a ruined Byzantine church. That mosaic now resides at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra. Shalala sits about 3 kilometers northeast, across the Besor valley from the biblical site of Tell el-Far'ah (South). At Tell el-Far'ah (South), excavators found human-like, anthropoid coffins showing Egyptian influence. The mound was inhabited for roughly 2,000 years, from the Early Bronze Age through the Roman Empire. At the hill’s base, along the stream, the Romans built a retaining wall to stop erosion. Near a bend in the stream by the palm trees, a well called Ein Sharuhen taps the gravel aquifer. A historic road from Beer Sheva to Rafah runs at the foot of the hill. Flinders Petrie led the excavations at the mound.
- Location
- Northern Negev, Israel, near Gaza
- Area
- 875 acres (3,540 dunams)
- Notable feature
- Ein HaBesor / Ein Shalala spring
- Historical site
- Khirbet Shalala and Tell el-Far'ah (South)
- Key artifact
- Byzantine church mosaic now in Australian War Memorial, Canberra
Lore & Background
The park's central spring taps the near-surface aquifer, fed by winter rain runoff. East of the springs, the mound of Khirbet Shalala dominates the landscape. At Shalala, ANZAC troops discovered during the World War I Second Battle of Gaza an elaborate floor mosaic depicting a variety of animals, part of the ruins of a Byzantine church. The mosaic is now displayed in the Australian War Memorial in Canberra. Shalala is located some 3 km northeast, and across the Besor valley, from the biblical archaeological site of Tell el-Far'ah (South).
Reader's Guide
Eshkol National Park is significant for its natural spring and its archaeological heritage. The park contains the largest spring in the Besor basin, providing a vital water source in the arid Northern Negev. Its historical importance is underscored by the Byzantine church mosaic discovered by ANZAC troops during World War I, which now resides in the Australian War Memorial. The nearby mound of Tell el-Far'ah (South) yielded anthropoid coffins showing Egyptian influence and was occupied from the Early Bronze Age to the Roman Empire period, spanning about 2000 years. The Romans built a supporting wall at the foot of the hill to prevent erosion. The park also features a historic road from Beer Sheva to Rafah and a water well at Ein Sharuhen. Excavations at Tell el-Far'ah were conducted by Flinders Petri.
Did You Know?
- The park's central spring is the largest in the Besor basin.
- A Byzantine church mosaic discovered at Khirbet Shalala by ANZAC troops is now in the Australian War Memorial in Canberra.
- The Romans built a supporting wall at the foot of Tell el-Far'ah to prevent erosion.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Eshkol National Park and where is it located?
Eshkol National Park is an 875-acre (3,540 dunam) site in the Northern Negev of Israel, situated close to the Gaza border. It features open grassy lawns, shaded picnic areas, and a major natural spring at its center.
What is Ein HaBesor (Ein Shalala)?
Ein HaBesor, also known by its Arabic name Ein Shalala, is the largest spring in the Besor basin. It draws water from a shallow aquifer that is replenished primarily by winter rain runoff.
What happened to the Byzantine mosaic found at Eshkol National Park?
During the Second Battle of Gaza in World War I, ANZAC troops uncovered a detailed animal mosaic from a ruined Byzantine church at the Khirbet Shalala mound. The mosaic was subsequently transported to Australia and is now displayed at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra.
How big is Eshkol National Park and what can visitors expect to see?
The park covers roughly 875 acres (3,540 dunams) and offers grassy lawns, shaded spots for picnics, and access to the spring. To the east of the springs, visitors can see the archaeological mound of Khirbet Shalala.
Why is Eshkol National Park historically important?
The park sits near Tell el-Far'ah (South) and the Khirbet Shalala mound, connecting it to both ancient settlement history and World War I military events. Its Byzantine church mosaic, now in Canberra, is one of the few such artifacts removed from the region during that conflict.
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