Some Pictures from Horbat Midras

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Horbet Midras is a site in the Judean Sheplelah (lowlands), and was an active settlement during the 1st and 2nd centuries AD.  Due to looter activities, the IAA has been excavating and have uncovered both Jewish artifacts from this period and later Byzantine work, including a large Basilican church, with lovely mosaics.
midras1 - mosaic.JPG

According to tradition, this area holds the burial of the prophet Zachariah, and the presence of a large crypt under the church indicates that this was possibly built as a memorial church, but that is still a supposition.  As in some of the other sites in the area, there are a series of underground rooms, including store rooms, that were used as refuges during the 2 Judean revolts.  In these have been found artifacts and coins of that period.

Below is a picture of a large section of the site as it has been excavated.  It will be recovered to stabilize the remains until permanenet coverings can be built
midras2 - mabat klali.JPG

Pictures from the IAA

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This page contains a single entry by Aaron Macks published on February 2, 2011 10:37 AM.

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