Caesarea Maritima, founded by King Herod between 22 and 10 B.C.E.,
served as the main port and administrative capital of his kingdom. Headquarters then of
the Roman administration of Judaea, later Palestine, it was the place where Pontius Pilate
governed, where the Apostle Paul was imprisoned, and where the great Jewish revolts began
in 66 and 132 C.E. Eventually, in the fourth century, the site converted from paganism to
Christianity and became a major center of the Christian Roman Empire. The Islamic conquest
of the Holy Land in the seventh century brought Muslim rule. Much reduced in size and
population, the city remained a prosperous agricultural town. The Crusaders conquered this
town in 1101 and occupied it, with some interruptions, until 1265, when the Muslims
captured Caesarea. Shortly thereafter, the Mamluk sultan of Egypt ordered Caesarea
demolished to prevent it from ever again becoming an entry point for Western invaders.
Caesarea thus embodies the great transitions that marked the history of the Old World
during and just after the first millennium C.E. and that set the stage for the modern
world: the diaspora of the Jewish people, the birth of Christianity and the transition
from paganism to Christianity, the evolution of Islam in the Middle East, the attempt by
European Christianity to restore European domination there, and the response of Islam to
the Christian incursions.
With the support of the University of Maryland and the National Endowment for Humanities, the Combined Caesarea Expeditions is pleased to present this web site as an introduction into the archaeology of the ancient city of Caesarea Maritima, Israel. Our primary goal here is to provide an educational experience to young students interested in archaeology, history, geography, foreign travel, language, and culture. We also aim to provide teachers with the resources necessary to educate students in these subjects.
This web site is divided into three primary sections:
- Learning Modules
- Lesson Plans
- Online Resources
The Learning Modules provide a collective experience into the archaeology and history of Caesarea Maritima. These modules are designed to permit the student to assume the role of a volunteer archaeologist preparing to assist with the excavations at Caesarea. Module content ranges broadly, which covers such basics as preliminary background research regarding the history of the site, a summation of basic information regarding overseas travel, the concept of stratigraphy, and a review of the significance of a select number of archaeological finds. A more complete summary of the Learning Modules can be found by following the link above.
The Lesson Plans provide a useful companion to the modules. These serve to assist educators with the development of hands-on projects that highlight objectives outlined within the modules. Their purpose is to further advance educational studies in archaeology, history, geography, foreign travel, language, and culture.
The Online Resources provide the obvious - online resources to assist educators and students with further research on the exploration of ancient communities.
We hope that both students and teachers will benefit from their experience here.
Copyright © 2000 Combined Caesarea Expeditions
Web Design: Andrew M. Smith II