Site in Focus: Timna Park

Nestled in the southern Arava Desert Valley, Timna Valley National Park tells one of Israel’s oldest stories. Thanks to decades of development led by Jewish National Fund-USA, this breathtaking site has become a national treasure unlike any other in Israel.

Story of the Site. 6,000 years ago, Timna emerged as one of the world’s earliest centers of copper production. In the late second millennium BCE, Egyptian pharaohs oversaw extensive mining operations, leaving behind industrial sites and thousands of ancient artifacts. Recently, archaeologists at Timna uncovered the world’s oldest purple-dyed fabric, dating to around 1000 BCE—a striking link to King Solomon’s era and the priestly garments described in the Bible.

Why This Site Matters. Timna serves as a major anchor for tourism and employment in the Eilot Regional Municipality in the southern Arava region. In the words of Timna Park’s “Ranger Ron” Bernstein, “When interacting with the mosaic of people from around the world who come to enjoy the park, I understand why I do what I do.”

Visiting the Site Today. Timna Park has become a must-see destination. At the Chudnow Family Visitor Center—made possible through the generosity of Avrum Chudnow (z”l), David Chudnow, and their family in partnership with Jewish National Fund-USA—visitors can view the rare biblical-era fabric, currently on display, while exploring interactive exhibits on the park’s ancient history. Outside, park-goers can enjoy Timna’s hiking trails, mountain biking, rock climbing, and self-guided driving tours across 17,000 acres of magnificent landscape. From towering red-rock formations to ancient mines and a shimmering man-made lake, Timna Park is a place where biblical history, natural wonder, modern Israel, and Jewish continuity come to life.

Plan your next trip to Timna Park! To learn more, visit jnfusa.org/timna