Archeology and nature in the Judean Lowland Tour Routes and Entertainment Ideas

Hurbat Madras (Madras Ruins), which is in the Adulam Caves Park in the Judean plains, is an ancient agricultural settlement which was active between the Iron Age (1,000 BCE) and the late Roman period (4th century CE). From this settlement remained the ruins of houses, a system of burial caves, hiding tunnels and bell shaped caves, a vast cemetery- which one of its caves is an especially elaborate burial pyramid- and columbariums cut in the rock for the housing of pigeons. The trail between the hiding tunnels and the caves- some of which is done by crawling and with the use of flashlights- is fascinating and is especially suitable for a visit with children. During the summer this site offers the pleasant coolness of the caves and during the winter one can also enjoy here the impressive widespread blossoms which cover this site.

Hurbat Atari (Atari Ruins) is located at the top of a hill at the height of 406 meters in the Adulam Caves Park which is in the Judean plains. Here were found impressive archeological remains of a Jewish settlement from the time of the Second Temple. Among the structures which were revealed here are three Mikvehs (Jewish ritual baths), the remains of a living quarter, a wine press and a vast structure with columns, capitols and a stone bench. This structure was probably used as a public structure, perhaps a synagogue. In the corner of the structure is a hiding cave and in order to visit it one needs to crawl and use a flashlight. In this site a piece of pottery was found with the name "Atari” written on it- perhaps indicating that this place is "Atra” village which was demolished and burned by the Romans at the time of the Bar Kokhba revolt (132 –136 CE). Here is also an observation point looking over the impressive archeological digs and the whole area.