Khirbet Kefireh

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Khirbet Kefireh
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Khirbet Kefireh (2021)
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Shown within State of Palestine
LocationFlag of Palestine.svg  Palestine
Coordinates 31°49′51″N35°06′24″E / 31.8309°N 35.106769°E / 31.8309; 35.106769

Khirbet Kefireh, also Khirbet Kefire, Khirbet el-Kefirah, is an archeological site just north of the Palestinian town of Qatanna, West Bank. It is situated atop a hill 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 the ancient town of Chephirah. [1] [2]

Contents

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 and three gates. A cistern and a quarry were found enclosed within the city walls.

Site plan Khirbet-kefireh-siteplan.gif
Site plan

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.

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