It is possible that residents here may have invented the stone plow and may have been the first to use wood in worshiping their deities. By Chalcolithic times, Eilat was renowned in regard to metallurgy, particularly in the development of the copper mines at Timna. During the time of King Solomon, Eilat was the only port belonging to Israel. It was during his reign that a joint Israelite-Phoenician fleet began developing trade links with both India and Africa. Around 200 years later, the Romans based one of their legions in Eilat in order to enforce Christian labour in their copper mines in Jordan. Not long after this period, the Byzantines took control at which time Christianity was the official religion. Under the leadership of an important bishop, a large Christian community developed in Eilat and until the 10th century, a small community of Jews was also resident here. By the late 19th century, ships were transporting pilgrims from Egypt to Mecca, bypassing Eilat and in 1907, with the opening of the Hejaz Railroad, the city that once hosted vast numbers of pilgrims fell into decline. Eilat began to witness clashes between the British and Turkish Empires with increasing frequency. Eventually it was agreed that the border between these two empires would begin south of Eilat, at Taba. This actually was the final blow for Eilat and it became further neglected, being left with only a small police station. Modern Eilat was established in 1950 and has continued to grow in popularity and importance since that time. Today, Eilat is world-famous as a major sea-side resort, where music festivals of regional and international significance are held each year. | 
