Karak Resources Project

Introduction

Usually when we think of gates in the biblical period, we think of massive defensive structures to protect the town or city from outside attack. And realistically, the gate is probably the most vulnerable part of a town’s defenses, simply because it stands at an opening into the town. In addition, the gate was often located at a low point in the town’s layout for several reasons: the low point would provide the easiest access to the town by travelers or merchants—they wouldn’t have to maneuver their animals and wares to higher points in the town; the market was often located just inside the gate for the same reason; and the low point would offer a good drainage channel for rainfall throughout the town to run outside the city walls through the gate.