For the first time in decades, Israeli archaeologists resumed excavations at Sebastia, aiming to preserve what was once the capital of the Biblical Kingdom of Israel and make it accessible to the public.

“Right now, we work on preserving what previous excavations have uncovered,” Eyal Freiman, Staff Officer of Archaeology at the Civil Administration for Judea and Samaria, which is responsible for excavations in the area, told The Press Service of Israel. “The works are currently centered around one of the main streets of the city with the ‘Hellenistic Gate,’ with dozens of columns along it. The goal is to make the area accessible to the public.”

Sebastia was the capital of the Israelite Kingdom during the reigns of Omri and Ahab. The Israeli government is investing NIS 32 million ($8.9 million) into the project in northern Samaria.