Old Ashkelon is located on the old Sea Route connecting Egypt and Syria. For that reason, Ashkelon was a major trade center, both by sea and by land. Among the important traces found here are the fortifications of Canaanite Ashkelon (2,000-1,550 BC), a Canaanite Temple of Baal, a Roman Basilica (3rd century AD), the statues of Nike and Isis and the old port.