Between Text and Trowel: Archaeological Investigations at Hurbat Husham in the Judean Foothills and the Identification of Thamnata

Cercetări Arheologice 32.1, 2025, 49-84
https://doi.org/10.46535/ca.32.1.04



Between Text and Trowel: Archaeological Investigations at Hurbat Husham in the Judean Foothills and the Identification of Thamnata

Authors: Boaz Zissu Eitan Klein

Keywords:

Hasmonean-Herodian Fortresses; Second Temple Period; Thamnata; Ritual Baths (Mikva’ot); Byzantine Christian Graffiti; Bacchides’ Fortifications; Hiding Complexes; Bar Kokhba Revolt; Rabbi Simeon the Timnite

Abstract:

This study presents results from archaeological surveys and excavations at Hurbat Husham, a strategic hill site in the Judean Foothills. Investigations reveal a Jewish settlement that existed from the Hellenistic period through the Bar Kokhba revolt (3rd century BCE – 136 CE).

Key findings include a fortress-like structure at the summit, three ritual baths (miqva’ot), an underground hiding complex, rock-cut tombs, and a large elongated cistern. Material culture—including distinctive pottery and chalk stone vessels—confirms the site’s Jewish character during the Second Temple period. The underground complex with connecting tunnels likely served as an escape system during the Bar Kokhba revolt, similar to those at nearby sites.

Based on strategic location, architectural features (particularly the elongated cistern typical of Hasmonean-Herodian desert fortresses), and second-century BCE ceramic evidence, we identify Hurbat Husham with Thamnata—one of Bacchides’ fortresses constructed in 160 BCE as recorded in 1 Maccabees and Josephus’ Antiquities. This identification is supported by the preserved name at nearby Kh. Tibnah and the site’s position controlling major routes into Judea via Nahal Sorek and Nahal Elah. During the Hasmonean and Herodian periods, it served as a fortress associated with the Betholetepha-Pella Toparchy.

We suggest Hurbat Husham was likely Rabbi Simeon the Timnite’s hometown during the interbellum period.

Late Roman or Byzantine occupation featured a Christian community, evidenced by graffiti on a ritual bath doorpost. One graffito depicts birds alongside a Christogram combining a cross with the Greek letters chi and rho, while another may represent a fish—an early Christian symbol functioning as an acrostic for “Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior.” These symbols were later plastered over when the structure was converted to a water cistern, suggesting they date to the late third or early fourth century CE.

The findings contribute significantly to our understanding of settlement patterns, defensive strategies, and religious transitions in the Judean Foothills, while addressing historical-geographical questions regarding Bacchides’ fortresses and Rabbi Simeon the Timnite’s origin.

Download: PDF

How to cite: Boaz Zissu, Eitan Klein, Between Text and Trowel: Archaeological Investigations at Hurbat Husham in the Judean Foothills and the Identification of Thamnata, Cercetări Arheologice, Vol. 32.1, pag. 49-84, 2025, doi: https://doi.org/10.46535/ca.32.1.04

Bibliography

  1. Abel, F.M. 1925. Topographie des campagnes machabeennes. Revue Biblique 34: 194–216.
  2. Abel, F.M. 1949. Les livres des Maccabées. Paris: Gabalda.
  3. Abel, F.M. 1967. Géographie de la Palestine, vol. 2. Paris: Gabalda.
  4. Alliata, E. 1999. The legends of the Madaba map, in: M. Piccirillo and E. Alliata (eds.) The Madaba map centenary 1897–1997: traveling through the Byzantine Umayyad period: 47–101. Jerusalem: Studium Biblicum Franciscanum.
  5. Amit, D. 2002a. The aqueducts to the fortress of Alexandrion, in: D. Amit, J. Patrich and Y. Hirschfeld (eds.) The aqueducts of Israel: 306–312 (JRA Supplementary Series 46). Portsmouth, RI: Journal of Roman Archaeology.
  6. Amit, D. 2002b. The aqueducts of the fortress of Dok (Dagon), in: D. Amit, J. Patrich and Y. Hirschfeld (eds.) The aqueducts of Israel: 330–335 (JRA Supplementary Series 46), Portsmouth, RI: Journal of Roman Archaeology.
  7. Avi-Yonah, M. 1954. The Madaba mosaic map: with introduction and commentary. Jerusalem: Israel Exploration Society.
  8. Avi-Yonah, M. 1960. The mosaic pavement of the Maon (Nirim) synagogue. Eretz-Israel 6: 86–93 (Hebrew).
  9. Avi-Yonah, M. 1963. Historical geography of Palestine from the end of the Babylonian exile to the Arab conquest. Jerusalem: Bialik Institute (Hebrew).
  10. Avi-Yonah, M. 1976. Gazetteer of Roman Palestine (Qedem 5). Jerusalem: Hebrew University.
  11. Avner, R. and Deʿadle, T. 2009. Jerusalem, the Ohel Yizhaq Synagogue. Hadashot Arkheologiyot 121.
  12. Avni, G. 1997. The necropoleis of Jerusalem and Beth Guvrin during the 4th–7th centuries A.D. as a model for urban cemeteries in Palestine in the Late Roman and Byzantine periods. Ph.D. diss., Hebrew University of Jerusalem (Hebrew).
  13. Băjenaru, C. 2010. Minor fortifications in the Balkan-Danubian area from Diocletian to Justinian. Cluj-Napoca: Editura Mega.
  14. Bar-Nathan, R. 2002. Hasmonean and Herodian palaces at Jericho: final reports of the 1973–1987 excavations, vol. 3: The pottery. Jerusalem: Israel Exploration Society.
  15. Bar-Nathan, R. 2006. Masada VII: the Yigael Yadin excavations 1963–1965: final report: the pottery of Masada. Jerusalem: Israel Exploration Society.
  16. Bar-Kochva, B. 1992. On Josephus and the books of the Maccabees, philology and historiography. Tarbiz 62/1: 115–132 (Hebrew).
  17. Bliss, F.J. and Dickie, A. 1898. Excavations at Jerusalem 1894–1897. London: Committee of the Palestine Exploration Fund.
  18. Broshi, M. 1968. Maqeda, in: H. Beinart and M. Haran (eds.) Encyclopaedia biblica, vol. 5: 303–304. Jerusalem: Bialik Institute (Hebrew).
  19. Conder, C.R and Kitchener, H.H. 1878. Palestine Exploration Fund map. Southampton: Committee of the Palestine Exploration Fund.
  20. Conder, C.R and Kitchener, H.H. 1883. The survey of western Palestine: memoirs of the topography, orography, hydrography, and archaeology, vol. 3. London: Committee of the Palestine Exploration Fund.
  21. Dagan, Y. 1992. The Shephela during the period of the monarchy in light of archaeological excavations and survey. M.A. thesis, Tel Aviv University (Hebrew).
  22. Dagan, Y. 1996. Cities of the Judean Shephelah and their division into districts based on Joshua 15. Eretz-Israel 25: 136–146 (Hebrew).
  23. Dever, W.G. 1998. Gezer: at the crossroads of ancient Israel. Tel Aviv: Hakibbutz Hameuchad, Israel Exploration Society and Israel Antiquities Authority (Hebrew).
  24. Di Segni, L. 1999. The “Onomasticon” of Eusebius and the Madaba map, in: M. Piccirillo and E. Alliata (eds.) The Madaba map centenary 1897–1997: traveling through the Byzantine Umayyad period: 115–120. Jerusalem: Studium Biblicum Franciscanum.
  25. Ecker, A. and Zissu, B. 2020. The boule of Baitolethepha (Beit-Nattif): evidence for village and toparchy administration in Judea. Journal for the Study of Judaism 51/4–5: 571–582.
  26. Eshel, H. and Amit, D. 1991. The Second Temple period water supply system of Horvat Kefira. Qadmoniot 93–94: 56–59 (Hebrew).
  27. Eshel, H. and Erlich, Z.H. 1988. The fortress of Aqraba in Kh. Urmeh. Cathedra 47: 17–24 (Hebrew).
  28. Eshel, H. and Zissu, B. 1998. Finds from the Bar-Kokhba period in the caves at Ketef Jericho, in: H. Eshel and D. Amit (eds.) Refuge caves of the Bar Kokhba Revolt: 113–151. Tel Aviv: Eretz Press (Hebrew).
  29. Eshel, H. and Zissu, B. 2019. The Bar Kokhba Revolt: the archaeological evidence. Jerusalem: Yad Ben-Zvi.
  30. Eshel, H., Zissu, B. and Frumkin, A. 1998. Two refuge caves in Wadi Suweinit, in: H. Eshel and D. Amit (eds.) Refuge caves of the Bar Kokhba Revolt: 93–109. Tel Aviv: Eretz Press, (Hebrew).
  31. Eusebius of Caesarea. 1966. Eusebius: Das Onomastikon der biblischen Ortsnamen, E. Klostermann (trans.). Hildesheim: Georg Olms.
  32. Eusebius of Caesarea. 1971. The onomasticon of Eusebius Pamphili compared with the version of Jerome and annotated, C.U. Wolf (trans.). Washington, DC: Catholic University of America Press.
  33. Ferguson, E. 2009. Baptism in the early church: history, theology, and liturgy in the first five centuries. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans.
  34. Finkelstein, I. 2011. Tell el-Ful revisited: the Assyrian and Hellenistic periods (with a new identification). Palestine Exploration Quarterly 143: 106–118.
  35. Fischer, M. 1995. Bacchides in Emmaus, in: A. Kasher and A. Oppenheimer (eds.) Dor le-dor: from the end of biblical times up to the redaction of the Talmud: studies in honor of Joshua Efron: 87–97. Jerusalem, Bialik Institute (Hebrew).
  36. Funk, R.W. 1968. The history of Beth-Zur with reference to its defenses, in: P.W. Lapp (ed.) The 1957 excavations at Beth-Zur: 4–17. Cambridge, MA: American Schools of Oriental Research.
  37. Galil, G. 1992. Parathon, Timnatha, and the fortifications of Bacchides. Cathedra 63: 22–30 (Hebrew).
  38. Garbrecht, G. and Peleg, Y. 1994. The water supply of the desert fortresses in the Jordan Valley, Biblical Archaeologist 57/3: 161–170.
  39. Geva, H. 2003. Hellenistic pottery from areas W and X-2, in: H. Geva (ed.) Jewish Quarter excavations in the Old City of Jerusalem conducted by Nahman Avigad, 1969–1982, vol. 2: The finds from Area A, W and X-2: final report: 113–175. Jerusalem: Israel Exploration Society.
  40. Gitin, S. 1990. Gezer III: a ceramic typology of the late Iron II, Persian and Hellenistic periods at Tell Gezer. Jerusalem: Hebrew Union College.
  41. Guérin, M.V. 1969. Description géographique, historique et archéologique de la Palestine: Judée, vol. 2. Amsterdam: Oriental Press.
  42. Guri-Rimon, O. 1996. Treasure houses and administrative centers: the primary purpose of the desert strongholds. Cathedra 82: 7–16 (Hebrew).
  43. Hurtado, L. 2006. The staurogram in early Christian manuscripts: the earliest visual reference to the crucified Jesus? in: T. Kraus (ed.) New Testament manuscripts: 207–226. Leiden: Brill.
  44. Jensen, R.M. 2000. Understanding early Christian art. London: Routledge.
  45. Josephus [Flavius]. 1926. The Life; Against Apion. vol. I, H. St. J. Thackeray (trans.). (Loeb Classical Library 186). London: William Heinemann; New York: G. P. Putnam’s Sons.
  46. Josephus [Flavius]. 1927. The Jewish war, vol. 2: Books 3–4, H. St. John Thackeray (trans.) (Loeb Classical Library 487). Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.
  47. Josephus [Flavius]. 1943. Jewish antiquities, vol. 5: Books 12–13, R. Marcus (trans.) (Loeb Classical Library 365). Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.
  48. Josephus. [Flavius]. 1961. The Jewish war, vol. 3: Books 4-7, H. St. J. Thackeray (trans.) (Loeb Classical Library 210). Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press,.
  49. Josephus [Flavius]. 1963. Jewish antiquities, vol. 7: Books 16–17, R. Marcus and A. Wikgren (trans.) (Loeb Classical Library 410). Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.
  50. Josephus [Flavius]. 1965. Jewish antiquities, vol. 8: Books 18–19, L. H. Feldman (trans.) (Loeb Classical Library 433). Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.
  51. Kahana, A. 1956. Sefarim hitsonim (external books), vol. 2. Tel Aviv: Masada (Hebrew).
  52. Kallai, Z. 1982. Timnah, in: H. Tadmor and S. Aḥituv (eds.) Encyclopaedia biblica, vol. 8: 598–601. Jerusalem: Bialik Institute (Hebrew).
  53. Kelm, G.L and Mazar, A. 1995. Timnah: a biblical city in the Sorek Valley. Winona Lake, IN: Eisenbrauns.
  54. Kelso, J.L. 1968. The history of Bethel, in: J.L. Kelso (ed.) The excavations of Bethel (1934–1960): 45–53. Cambridge, MA: American Schools of Oriental Research.
  55. Killebrew, A.E. 1999. The pottery, in: R. Hachlili and A.E. Killebrew (eds.) Jericho: the Jewish cemetery of the Second Temple period: 115–133 (IAA Reports 7). Jerusalem: Israel Antiquities Authority.
  56. Klein, E. and Frumkin, A. 2009. A refuge cave in Naḥal Shilo, in: H. Eshel and R. Porat (eds.) Refuge caves of the Bar-Kokhba Revolt, vol. 2: 510–518. Jerusalem: Israel Exploration Society and Jeselsohn Epigraphic Center (Hebrew).
  57. Klein, E. and Zissu, B. 2012. Ritual immersion baths (miqwa’ot) with double entrances in the Jerusalem hills, in: E. Baruch, Y. Levin and A. Levy-Reifer (eds.) New studies on Jerusalem, vol. 18: 225–245. Ramat Gan: Ingeborg Rennert Center (Hebrew).
  58. Klein, S. 1939. Sefer ha-Yishuv, vol. 1. Jerusalem: Bialik Institute (Hebrew).
  59. Kloner, A. and Tepper, I. 1987. The hiding complexes in the Judean Shephelah. Tel Aviv: Hakibbutz Hameuchad and Israel Exploration Society.
  60. Kloner, A. and Zissu, B. 2003. Hiding complexes in Judaea: an archaeological and geographical update on the area of the Bar-Kokhba Revolt, in: P. Schäfer (ed.) The Bar-Kokhba war reconsidered: 181–216. Tübingen: Mohr Siebeck.
  61. Kloner, A. and Zissu, B. 2007. The necropolis of Jerusalem in the Second Temple period (Interdisciplinary Studies in Ancient Culture and Religion 8). Leuven and Dudley, MA: Peeters.
  62. Kloner, A. and Zissu, B. 2009. Underground hiding complexes in Israel and the Bar-Kokhba Revolt. Opera Ipogea 1: 9–27.
  63. Magen, Y. 2002. The stone vessel industry in the Second Temple period: excavations at Ḥizma and the Jerusalem Temple Mount. Jerusalem: Israel Exploration Society
  64. Magness, J. 1993. Jerusalem ceramic chronology. Sheffield: JSOT Press.
  65. Magness, J. 2003. Late Roman and Byzantine pottery, in: H. Geva (ed.) Jewish Quarter excavations in the Old City of Jerusalem conducted by Nahman Avigad, 1969–1982, vol. 2: The finds from area A, W and X-2: final report: 423–432. Jerusalem: Israel Exploration Society.
  66. Mazar, A. 1981. The excavations at Khirbet Abu et-Twein and the system of Iron Age fortresses in Judah. Eretz- Israel 15: 229–249 (Hebrew).
  67. Meir, E., Klein, E. and Zissu, B. 2013. Archaeological excavations at Khirbet Jamjum, Gush Etzion. Jerusalem and Eretz-Israel 8–9: 365–394 (Hebrew).
  68. Meshel, Z. 2000. The Nabataean “rock” and the Judaean Desert fortresses. Israel Exploration Journal 50: 109–115.
  69. Meshel, Z. and Amit, D. 2002. The water-supply systems of Cypros fortress, in: D. Amit, J. Patrich and Y. Hirschfeld (eds.) The aqueducts of Israel: 313–329 (JRA Supplementary Series 46). Portsmouth, RI: Journal of Roman Archaeology.
  70. Milburn, R. 1988. Early Christian art and architecture. Berkeley: University of California Press.
  71. Möller, C. and Schmitt, G. 1976. Siedlungen Palästinas nach Flavius Josephus. Wiesbaden: Reichert.
  72. Na’aman, N. 1989. Pirathon and Ophrah. Biblische Notizen 50: 11–16.
  73. Netzer, E. 1981. Greater Herodium (Qedem 13). Jerusalem: Hebrew University.
  74. Netzer, E. 1999. The palaces of the Hasmoneans and Herod the Great. Jerusalem: Yad Izhak Ben-Zvi (Hebrew).
  75. Netzer, E. 2002. The aqueducts and water-supply of Masada, in: D. Amit, J. Patrich and Y. Hirschfeld (eds.) The aqueducts of Israel: 353–364 (JRA Supplementary Series 46). Portsmouth, RI: Journal of Roman Archaeology.
  76. Parker, S.T. 2006. The Roman frontier in central Jordan: final report on the Limes Arabicus project, 1980–1989. Washington, DC: Dumbarton Oaks.
  77. Patrich, J. 2002. The aqueducts of Hyrcania-Kastellion, in: D. Amit, J. Patrich and Y. Hirschfeld (eds.) The aqueducts of Israel: 336–352 (JRA Supplementary Series 46). Portsmouth, RI: Journal of Roman Archaeology.
  78. Porat, Y. 2002. Hydraulic plaster in aqueducts as a chronological indicator, in: D. Amit, J. Patrich and Y. Hirschfeld (eds.) The aqueducts of Israel: 25–36 (JRA Supplementary Series 46). Portsmouth, RI: Journal of Roman Archaeology.
  79. Pliny [Gaius Plinius Secundus]. 1961. Natural History, vol. 2, Books 3-7, H. Rackham (trans.), (Loeb Classical Library 352). Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.
  80. Rappaport, U. 1981. The Hasmonean state (160–37 B.C.E.), in: M. Stern (ed.) The History of Eretz Israel: The Hellenistic period and the Hasmonean state (332–37 B.C.E.): 191–273. Jerusalem: Keter (Hebrew).
  81. Rappaport, U. 2004. The first book of Maccabees: introduction, Hebrew translation, and commentary. Jerusalem: Yad Ben-Zvi (Hebrew).
  82. Rasimus, T. 2012. Revisiting the Ichthys: a suggestion concerning the origins of Christological fish symbolism, in: C.H. Bull, L. Lied and J.D. Turner (eds.) Mystery and secrecy in the Nag Hammadi collection and other ancient literature: ideas and practices: studies for Einar Thomassen at sixty. Boston and Leiden: Brill.
  83. Raviv, D. 2014. The Jewish settlement in the toparchy of Timna from the late Second Temple period to the Bar Kokhba Revolt. Judea and Samaria Research Studies 23: 161–183 (Hebrew).
  84. Raviv, D. 2018. The Artabba fortress: an unknown Hasmonaean-Herodian fortress on the northern border of Judaea. Israel Exploration Journal 68/1: 56–76.
  85. Raviv, D. 2019. Granting of the toparchies of Ephraim, Ramathaim and Lod to Hasmonean Judea. Tel Aviv 46/2: 267–285.
  86. Raviv, D. and Zissu, B. 2019. The Arumah fortress (Khirbet al-ꜤUrma): a fortified site from the Second Temple period in eastern Samaria. Israel Exploration Journal 69/2: 202–219.
  87. Raviv, D., and Zissu, B. 2022. Judean hiding complexes: a geographical, typological and functional update (Israel). Opera Ipogea 2/2022: 39-54.
  88. Reich, R. 2013. Ritual baths during the Second Temple period and in the Mishnah and Talmud periods. Jerusalem: Yad Izhak Ben-Zvi and Israel Exploration Society (Hebrew).
  89. Roll, I. 1996. Bacchides’ fortifications and the arteries of traffic to Jerusalem in the Hellenistic period. Eretz-Israel 25: 509–514 (Hebrew).
  90. Roll, I. and Dagan, Y. 1988. Roman roads around Beth Govrin, in: E. Stern and D. Urman (eds.) Man and environment in the southern Shefelah: studies in regional geography and history: 175–179. Giv’atayim: Massada (Hebrew).
  91. Safrai, Z. 1980. Borders and governance in Eretz Israel in the Mishnaic and Talmudic period. Tel Aviv: Hakibbutz Hameuchad (Hebrew).
  92. Schalit, A. 1944. Introduction, in: A. Schalit (trans.) Antiquitates Judaicae: XI–LXXXXII. Jerusalem: Bialik Institute (Hebrew).
  93. Schürer, E. 1979. The history of the Jewish people in the age of Jesus Christ (175 B.C.–A.D. 135), vol. 2. Edinburgh: Clark.
  94. Schwartz, J. 1986. Jewish settlement in Judaea: after the Bar-Kokhba war until the Arab conquest. Jerusalem: Magnes (Hebrew).
  95. Segal, B.Z. 1979. Geography in the Mishnah. Jerusalem: Center for Mishnah Research.
  96. Shatzman, I. 1991. The armies of the Hasmonaeans and Herod. Tübingen: Mohr Siebeck.
  97. Sneh, A. 2009. Geological map of Israel, 1:50,000: Beit Shemesh, sheet 11:I. Jerusalem: Geological Survey of Israel.
  98. Snyder, G.F. 2003. Ante pacem: archaeological evidence of church life before Constantine. Macon, GA: Mercer University Press.
  99. Tacitus [Publius Cornelius]. 1963. The Annals, Vol. II: Books I-III, J. Jackson (trans) (Loeb Classical Library 249). Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.
  100. Tal, O., Fischer, M. and Roll I. 2005. Persian and Hellenistic remains at Tel Yaʿoz – towards the identification of Hellenistic Gazera, in: M. Fischer (ed.) Yavneh, Yavneh-Yam and their neighborhood: studies in the archaeology and history of the Judean coastal plain: 259–302. Tel Aviv: Eretz Press (Hebrew).
  101. Tepper, Y. 1987. Ongoing research on the hiding complexes, in: A. Kloner and Y. Tepper (eds.) The hiding complexes in the Judean Shephelah: 37–75. Tel Aviv: Hakibbutz Hameuchad and Israel Exploration Society (Hebrew).
  102. Thomsen, P. 1917. Die römischen Meilensteine der Provinzen Syria, Arabia und Palästina, Zeitschrift des Deutschen Palästina-Vereins 40: 1–103.
  103. Tsafrir, Y. 1982. The desert fortresses of Judaea in Second Temple period. The Jerusalem Cathedra 2: 120-145.
  104. Tsafrir, Y., Di Segni, L. and Green, J. 1994. Tabula imperii romani: Iudaea Palaestina: Eretz Israel in the Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine periods. Jerusalem: Israel Academy of Sciences and Humanities.
  105. Udoh, F.E. 2020. To Caesar what is Caesar’s: tribute, taxes, and imperial administration in Early Roman Palestine.
  106. Providence, RI: Brown Judaic Studies.
  107. van Zuiden, A., and Asscher, Y. 2021. A Typology of Lime-Based Plasters from Iron Age II until the Byzantine
  108. Period in Jerusalem and Its Vicinity, in: Y. Zelinger, O. Peleg-Barkat, J. Uziel and Y. Gadot (eds.) New Studies in
  109. the Archaeology of Jerusalem and Its Region: Collected Papers, vol. XIV, Jerusalem: Israel Antiquities Authority.
  110. Vilnay, Z. 1976. Ariel encyclopedia, vol. 3. Tel Aviv: Am Oved (Hebrew).
  111. Weiss, D., Zissu, B. and Solimany, G. 2004. Archaeological survey of Israel: map of Nes Harim (104). Jerusalem:
  112. Israel Antiquities Authority (Hebrew).
  113. Weksler-Bdolach, S., Onn, A. and Rapuano, Y. 2003. Identifying the Hasmonean village of Modi’in. Cathedra
  114. 109: 69–86 (Hebrew).
  115. Zertal, A. 1981. The Roman siege system at Khirbet el-Ḥammam (Narbata) in Samaria. Qadmoniot 55–56:
  116. 112–118 (Hebrew).
  117. Zertal, A. 2002. The water system of Khirbet el-Hammam (Narbata), in: D. Amit, J. Patrich and Y. Hirschfeld
  118. (eds.) The aqueducts of Israel: 413–416 (JRA Supplementary Series 46). Portsmouth, RI: Journal of Roman
  119. Archaeology.
  120. Ziffer, I. 1998. O my dove, that art in the clefts of the rock: the dove-allegory in antiquity. Tel Aviv: Eretz Israel
  121. Museum.
  122. Zissu, B. 1999. Ḥorbat Ḥushsham. Ḥadashot Arkheologiyot 109: 81.
  123. Zissu, B. 2000. The ossuary of “Imma, daughter of Hanania,” and the Second Temple period Jewish settlement at Sokho, Judaean Foothills, in: A. Faust and E. Baruch (eds.) New studies on Jerusalem: proceedings of the sixthconference: 64–74. Ramat Gan: Ingeborg Rennert Center for Jerusalem Studies (Hebrew).
  124. Zissu, B. 2001. Rural settlement in the Judaean Hills and Foothills from the late Second Temple period to the Bar-Kokhba Revolt. Ph.D. diss., Hebrew University of Jerusalem (Hebrew).
  125. Zissu, B. 2008. The Hellenistic fortress at Horvat Tura and the identification of Tur Shimon. Israel Exploration Journal 58: 171–194.
  126. Zissu, B. and Amit, D. 2008. Common Judaism, common purity and the Second Temple period Judean “miqwa’ot”(ritual immersion baths), in: W.O. McCready and A. Reinhartz (eds.) Common Judaism: explorations in Second-Temple Judaism: 47–62. Minneapolis: Fortress.
  127. Zissu, B. and Ganor, A. 2002. Ḥorvat ʿEtri – the ruins of a Second Temple period Jewish village on the coastal plain. Qadmoniot 123: 18–27 (Hebrew).
  128. Zissu, B. and Kloner, A. 2009. Cisterns in Ras Tumeim, east of Jerusalem, in: J. Geiger, H.M. Cotton and G.D.
  129. Stiebel (eds.) Israel’s land: papers presented to Israel Shatzman on his jubilee: 99–113. Raanana: Open University of Israel and Israel Exploration Society, (Hebrew).
  130. Zissu, B. and Raviv, D. 2011. The water cisterns of Arumah (Khirbet el Urmeh), eastern Samaria. In the Highland’s Depth 1: 143–158 (Hebrew).
  131. Zissu, B., Klein, E., Ganor, A. and Goldenberg, G. 2021. Archaeological excavations of rock-cut underground storage chambers at Horbat ʿEthri and the chronology of Judean hiding complexes. Speleology and Spelestology 2021/2: 72–87.

Corpora

CIL III = Corpus inscriptionum latinarum, vol. 3 T. Mommsen, ed. 1873–1902. Inscriptiones Asiae, provinciarum

Europae Graecarum, Illyrici Latinae. Berlin: G. Reimerum

Creative Commons Licence
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License