On top of a hill in Israel archaeologists have unearthed the remains of stone walls. It is assumed that the fortress existed here during the earthly life of the Jewish prophet Jonah, who miraculously saved from the belly of a whale. Subsequently, the prophet was buried on the hill Givat Yonah (Giv'at Yonah), which actually means "Hill Ions", which rises above the present city of Ashdod (Ashdod).

In an interview with the Jerusalem Post of the head of excavations Dmityr Egrow (Dmitir Egrov) said that perhaps the fortress was located here during the period of the First temple in Jerusalem, which corresponds to the period from 1006 in 586 BC. It is likely that at this time lived the biblical prophet Jonah.

All known about the personality of the prophet Jonah comes from its obviously a fictional book that is different from the other books of the prophets that there are no statements of the prophet himself. Jonah, the son of Amayev, received from God the commandment to keep the Assyrian city of Nineveh, lying on the Eastern Bank of the Tigris river (opposite the modern Mosul), predicting the imminent destruction of the city for his wickedness. The unfortunate inhabitants could save only the repentance of sin.

However, the prophet disobeyed his Lord, and went to the port of Joppa, where boarded a ship and sailed in Phoenician colony Tarshish in Spain. During the terrible sea storms, the shipbuilders have thrown a lot to learn for whose sins they brought upon themselves the wrath of God. Jonah, on which the lot fell, confessed, and they threw him into the abyss. Immediately the storm subsided.

Jonah was swallowed by a great fish. Three days and three nights he stayed in the belly of a whale and frantically praying. Then was beached. God again gave him orders to go to Nineveh. Sermon foreign prophet, who walked around the city and claimed that in forty days Nineveh will be destroyed, caused consternation among the people and the king. The Lord forgave raskajavshihsja residents and spared the city. But the cruel Jewish prophet was upset due to the fact that the trial was not held. In anticipation of the fulfillment of the prophecy of Jonah settled in a hut outside the city walls.

For the salvation of his prophet from the scorching heat, the Lord overnight grew a shade tree (historians believe that it was from the rock pumpkin), which was giving coolness. Jonah was happy as a child. But the next day God sent a worm that undermined the root of the tree and it withered. The prophet was desperate and began to ask for death. God brought Jonah, who was sorry for the gourd, for the which you have not laboured, when he said to him: "I should not I spare Nineveh, that great city, wherein are more than 120,000 persons that cannot discern between their right hand and their left hand; and also much cattle".

After that Nineveh had existed for more than two centuries, until it was destroyed in the year 610 BC. the Babylonian king Nabopolasar (NABU-aple-usur, which meant "NABU, save the son and heir") and king of the Medes Cascara.

Popular in our country, Polish writer Zenon Kosedowski seen in "vibrant and colorful adventures of the prophet typical creation of Jewish folklore, but the researchers suspect that the source of this legend is hidden in an unknown Mesopotamian myth. Fish or sea monster swallowing Jonah, too vividly reminds mythical goddess of chaos Tiamat".

The authors of Electronic Jewish Encyclopedia believe that "personality and behavior Ions are presented with a touch of sarcasm and at best cause condescending smile of sympathy". Ibid article about Nineveh written: "the Now - tel Council and tel Nebi-Unis (where, according to Muslim tradition, the burial place of the prophet Jonah in Arabic Unis). Archaeological excavations conducted here (mostly in Soundike) for about 150 years, revealed the existence of a settlement already in the early 4th Millennium BC".

Archaeologists have not found the tomb Ions, but found that this place was inhabited at the end of VIII, the beginning of the VII century BC. Walls with more feet wide, built of stones, extracted on the coast at the bottom of the hill. In the 1960s, on the site of modern lighthouse were found here is similar artifacts: the remains of the walls, pottery, including a piece of crock - ostracon that says that a man by the name of Ba'altzad donated money to this Holy place, according to the website portal LiveScience.

Scientists suggest that there was a strategically important stronghold. The hill is 50 meters above sea level; its stunning views of the Mediterranean sea and the surrounding villages. No wonder that in our time here was built a lighthouse.

Israeli historians believe that there are only two versions as to who inhabited the fortress at that time. Either everyone here was ruled by the then rulers of these places Assyrians or the castle belonged to the king of the Jews Josiah, in the Russian tradition of Josiah (640-609 years BC). This 17th king of the tribe of David came to the throne, when Assyria was experiencing not the best times, and it conquered peoples raised the hope for a speedy release.