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Khirbet Kefireh
Found in: Ancient Israel and Judah Archaeological sites in Israel
Khirbet Kefireh is a modern town just north of Katana, Israel 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.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."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)."
Karel 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.
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. Highlights include a jar handle bearing a LMLK seal impression, and another handle bearing a pre-fired plus (+) mark.
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.
See also
Biblical archaeology
This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article Khirbet Kefireh
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