Khirbet Kefireh

Khirbet Kefireh

Site plan.
Shown within the Palestinian territories
Location  Palestine
Coordinates 31°49′51″N 35°06′24″E / 31.8309°N 35.106769°E / 31.8309; 35.106769

Khirbet Kefireh (alt. sp., Kefire, el-Kefirah; coordinates 1602.1375) is a modern Palestinian village just north of Qatanna, West Bank on a hilltop covering about 4-5 acres. It appears in the Survey of Western Palestine map compiled in the 1870s, and most Bible dictionaries identify it with Chephirah.[1][2]

Dutch archaeologist Karel J.H. Vriezen extensively surveyed the site during September 1970, June and July 1973, and again in March and July 1974. The site contains two major sections: an upper citadel on the east side near its elevation peak (774 m), and a lower village on the west side. Additionally, three graves were examined about 150 meters to the northeast of the site.[3]

Vriezen found evidence for major architectural changes dating to the Iron-II and Byzantine eras, and pottery shards spanning the Early Bronze, Iron I, Iron II, Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine periods. Highlights include a jar handle bearing a LMLK seal impression,[4] and another handle bearing a pre-fired plus (+) mark.[5]

The walls of the site included nine towers, three gates, and an entrance. A cistern and a quarry were found enclosed within the city walls.

Excavations are no longer possible due to the presence of modern habitations.

Notes

  1. ↑ International Standard Bible Encyclopedia: "It is represented by the modern Kefireh, to the Southwest of Gibeon, and North of Karyat el-`Anab. It stands on high ground, with many ancient remains."
  2. ↑ Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible: "The city has been identified with modern Khirbet el-Kefireh (160137), ca. 8km. (5 mi.) WSW of el-Jib (Gibeon)."
  3. ↑ ZDPV 91, Abb. 2.
  4. ↑ ZDPV 91, p. 143.
  5. ↑ ZDPV 91, p. 146.

References

See also

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