Megiddo: The History of the Famous Archaeological Site and Prophesized Battle of Armageddon

Overview: There are not many corners in the world that have seen as many people, civilizations, and armies as Tel Megiddo. Located in the western Jezreel Valley, it once laid upon the Via Maris, an ancient international trade route that connected ancient Egypt to the kingdoms and empires of Palestine, Syria, Anatolia, and Mesopotamia. It is because of this road that Megiddo saw so much carnage and bloodshed throughout its history. Many groups have coveted Tel Megiddo because of its strategic location guarding the entrance/exit of the Aruna Pass, now known as the Musmus Pass. Such groups ranged from the Canaanites, Egyptian, Israelites, Philistines and many others; including more recent states and empires, like the Ottomans, Napoleon’s French empire, and modern Israel. Megiddo’s occupational history, or ages of intensive human occupation, began during the Neolithic Age (c. late-fifth millennium B.C.E.) and ended in the Iron Age (c. late-seventh century B.C.E.). But, according to the New Testament, everyone’s stories will end with the coming of Armageddon, otherwise known as Tel Megiddo.