 Khirbet Kefireh (2021) | |
  Shown within State of Palestine | |
| Location |  Palestine |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 31°49′51″N35°06′24″E / 31.8309°N 35.106769°E |
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]
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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.
Excavations are no longer possible due to the presence of modern habitations.