Settlements were developed in the desert thanks to ingenious farming techniques, yet Elusa stands out even when compared to its neighbors. Some of the busiest roadways were as broad as 26 feet. People came from far away to learn at Elusa’s school of rhetoric, which had nine churches, a theater, and extremely big baths.
How did we come to know all of this? After all, ancient ruins don’t generally come with labels, forcing archaeologists to make educated guesses based on maps and descriptions from the historical period. Elusa, on the other hand, has no such issue, as a sign bearing the city’s name was unearthed in a 2019 dig. The location of the ancient metropolis is now a national park, despite the fact that the Israeli army controls the surrounding area.
