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One of the many spectacular things to see in Tel Dan is the 4,000+ year old gate of the ancient Canaanite City known then as Laish or Leshem. The structure pre-dates Abraham. From the biblical record, we know that Abraham was in the vicinity. However, there is no historical or archaeological evidence that he went in or out of this specific gate. Here is the biblical account of that event:
And the king of Sodom, the king of Gomorrah, the king of Admah, the king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (that is, Zoar) went out and joined together in battle in the Valley of Siddim against Chedorlaomer king of Elam, Tidal king of nations, Amraphel king of Shinar, and Arioch king of Ellasar—four kings against five. Now the Valley of Siddim was full of asphalt pits; and the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled; some fell there, and the remainder fled to the mountains. Then they took all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah, and all their provisions, and went their way. They also took Lot, Abram’s brother’s son who dwelt in Sodom, and his goods, and departed. Then one who had escaped came and told Abram the Hebrew, for he dwelt by the terebinth trees of Mamre the Amorite, brother of Eshcol and brother of Aner; and they were allies with Abram. Now when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his three hundred and eighteen trained servants who were born in his own house, and went in pursuit as far as Dan. He divided his forces against them by night, and he and his servants attacked them and pursued them as far as Hobah, which is north of Damascus. So he brought back all the goods, and also brought back his brother Lot and his goods, as well as the women and the people. Genesis 14:8-16 NKJV
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The site was explored by famed archaeologist Edward Robinson in 1838. But it was under Avraham Biran’s work in 1966 when the most spectacular discoveries were made, included among them this mud-brick city gate. The awning was built over the site to help prevent damage—especially from rain. The mud-bricks used to build this gate were ‘unfired’ bricks and could easily wash away in a rainstorm.
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