Khirbet Kelefa is an archeological site of a
Jewish settlement from the
Second Temple period tio the end of the
Bar Kokhba revolt. The site is located about 2 km southeast to the village of
Surif.
[1]
This archeological site was never surveyed before and following a visit to the site which led to the discovery of a mikveh and a Bar Kokhba hiding complex, in 2013 archeologist Dvir Raviv surveyed the site for the first time. [1]
The archeological findings at Khirbet Kelefa include building remains, cistern, caves, a large and smaller Mikveh, hiding complex and agricultural facilities. [1] Many ceramics remains were found, dating to the Second Temple period and the Bar Kokhba revolt. [1] [2] Another finding typical to Jewish settlements of that period, were the remains of a soft curved chalk bowl. [1] These findings are match findings in similar Jewish settlements in the northern Hebron hills, mentioned in historical sources.
At Khirbet Kelefa two Mikveh were discovered. A large one and a smaller one in the residential area. The Mikveh included seven steps leading down to the bathing area, the walls were covered with grey plaster typical to the earluy Roman period. [1] [3]
The large hiding complex of Khirbet Kelefa is located about 50 meters southeast from the Mikveh, has four entrances and a total and a total tunnel length of 70m. [1]
The archeological findings at the site are evidence to a substantial Jewish settlement existing between the Second Temple period and the Bar Kokhba revolt. It was part of the Herodium province of the northern Hebron hills. [1] The province included settlements like: Betar, Herodium, Tekoa, Cusiba, Eir Nahash, Kiryat Arbaya and Bethel. At 135 CE the Roman Empire suppressed the Bar Kokhba revolt leading to the destruction of Jewish presence in that area until modern times. [1]
Khirbet Kelefa is an archeological site of a
Jewish settlement from the
Second Temple period tio the end of the
Bar Kokhba revolt. The site is located about 2 km southeast to the village of
Surif.
[1]
This archeological site was never surveyed before and following a visit to the site which led to the discovery of a mikveh and a Bar Kokhba hiding complex, in 2013 archeologist Dvir Raviv surveyed the site for the first time. [1]
The archeological findings at Khirbet Kelefa include building remains, cistern, caves, a large and smaller Mikveh, hiding complex and agricultural facilities. [1] Many ceramics remains were found, dating to the Second Temple period and the Bar Kokhba revolt. [1] [2] Another finding typical to Jewish settlements of that period, were the remains of a soft curved chalk bowl. [1] These findings are match findings in similar Jewish settlements in the northern Hebron hills, mentioned in historical sources.
At Khirbet Kelefa two Mikveh were discovered. A large one and a smaller one in the residential area. The Mikveh included seven steps leading down to the bathing area, the walls were covered with grey plaster typical to the earluy Roman period. [1] [3]
The large hiding complex of Khirbet Kelefa is located about 50 meters southeast from the Mikveh, has four entrances and a total and a total tunnel length of 70m. [1]
The archeological findings at the site are evidence to a substantial Jewish settlement existing between the Second Temple period and the Bar Kokhba revolt. It was part of the Herodium province of the northern Hebron hills. [1] The province included settlements like: Betar, Herodium, Tekoa, Cusiba, Eir Nahash, Kiryat Arbaya and Bethel. At 135 CE the Roman Empire suppressed the Bar Kokhba revolt leading to the destruction of Jewish presence in that area until modern times. [1]