Why is there a European Castle in the Holy Land?

Belvoir Castle

Depending on how they are counted at least 20 distinct civilizations have controlled the area we know as the Holy Land. Over the next couple of weeks I will give a brief introduction to each of these. Evidence of various cultures can be found in the archaeology of the area. As we travel through the Holy Land it will be valuable to familiarize ourselves with these cultures. Understanding, for instance, that for a time during the Middle Ages the Holy Land was ruled by European Crusaders we can appreciate the fortifications we will see at Caesarea Maritima. The earliest evidence of man in this area are burials in the Galilee that date to the Stone age. By 4000 BC the Culture of the Canaanites was formed. Copper mines in the south and remains of houses in Jericho all point to this area being settled by a people that raised crops, herded animals, and lived together in small cities. At Tel Megiddo we will see the remains of a Canaanite alter, In Jericho we will marvel at a defensive tower build to guard the towns water supply. And of course the Canaanites are a people much discussed in the Bible. They were the people who were in THE LAND that was promised to Israel.

Canaanite Altar