Sea of Galilee —

The Sea of Galilee has a large tourist industry today thanks to its appearance in the gospels. Jesus sailed here, taught here, walked on water here, calmed storms, and visited villages and cities that surrounded the lake. And now, thanks to archaeological investigation, a lot is known about the harbours where he and the disciples would have docked.

Ancient harbours consisted of breakwaters, which were large stone constructed arms that would extend out into the lake to create an area of still water for ships to be safer from the lake’s famous storms. After the breakwaters were constructed, piers would be built to moor ships to and promenades where sailors, travellers, and merchants could walk. Harbours could also have markets for selling fish, areas to repair boats, storehouses and administrative buildings, watchtowers, and even Roman toll stations. We’re told in the Gospels that the disciple Matthew/Levi worked a tax booth at Capernaum, which apparently was a popular port for travellers and trade (Matthew 10:3, 17:24). Work at Capernaum has revealed a large harbour with several piers of different shapes and sizes, including long and curved piers, and triangular shaped piers.

At Kursi, which was known as Gergesa, the site of Jesus’ exorcism of demons from a man and into a herd of pigs (Luke 8:22-39), a large shallow rock-cut pool was a part of the ancient harbour. Researchers believe that fishermen would keep their live fresh-caught fish in it, for sale.

The remains of an impressive harbour has been identified at the ancient city of Gadara and its lower city known now as Tel Samra. Its breakwaters enclosed an area of 3 acres and boasted a very large promenade. Some researchers believe that from this harbour Roman nautical games (Naumachia) re-enacting naval battles were performed, with coins from Gadara marked with images of roman warships on them.