On the shores of the Sea of Galilee, also called the Lake of Tiberias, this freshwater lake in northeastern Israel holds deep significance for Christians, as several episodes of Jesus's life unfolded on its shores. This first part explores the lake and its surrounding archaeological sites, revealing stories that reach back well beyond the first century. Set in the Jordan Rift Valley at a level far below that of the sea, the lake has supported towns, fisheries and pilgrimage for millennia, and gave its Roman name to Tiberias, founded on its western bank. Excavation along the shore continues to bring to light synagogues, harbours and dwellings that document daily life in Galilee across the Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine periods.
