Scientists Find the Old Town of Bethsaida

May 12, 2026, 12:26
Middle EastScience

Introduction

Experts found an old place called El-Araj. They say this is the town of Bethsaida from the Bible.

Main Body

Workers dug in the ground since 2016. They found an old church and old fishing tools. These things show that people lived and fished here long ago. They found a small house under the church. A man from a long time ago wrote about this house. He said Peter and Andrew lived there. In 2025, a fire burned the plants on the hill. This showed more old pots and a bath. A big earthquake destroyed the town in the year 749.

Conclusion

The old things and the books show that El-Araj is Bethsaida.

Learning

πŸ•°οΈ Talking about the Past

Look at these words from the text:

  • Found (from find)
  • Dug (from dig)
  • Lived (from live)
  • Wrote (from write)
  • Burned (from burn)

The Secret Pattern To tell a story about things that happened before today, we change the action word.

Regular words just add -ed: Live β†’ Lived Burn β†’ Burned

Special words change completely: Find β†’ Found Write β†’ Wrote

Example from the story: "They found an old church." (This is finished. It happened in the past.)

Vocabulary Learning

find
to discover something you were looking for
Example:The scientists will try to find the old town.
old
having lived for a long time; not new
Example:They found an old church in the ground.
town
a small city or large village
Example:Bethsaida is a historic town mentioned in the Bible.
place
a particular spot or area
Example:El-Araj is a place where many people lived.
called
named or referred to as
Example:The old place is called El-Araj.
say
to speak or express
Example:Experts say this is the town of Bethsaida.
ground
the surface of the earth
Example:Workers dug in the ground since 2016.
church
a building where people worship
Example:They found an old church and old fishing tools.
fishing
the activity of catching fish
Example:The tools were used for fishing by the people.
tools
items used to do work
Example:The old fishing tools were found near the church.
people
human beings
Example:People lived and fished in this town long ago.
fire
flames and heat from burning
Example:A fire burned the plants on the hill in 2025.