Maresha Explorations

Images. In the Hellenistic period Maresha was a major town in the Judean lowlands (Shephelah). Its population was cosmopolitan in nature, including Phoenicians, Idumeans, Greeks and probably also Jews from nearby Judea. Extensive excavations in the last decade have revealed its fortifications, private houses and elaborate burial caves. Outstanding is the vast complex of subterranean caves, all cut in the soft limestone. These include hideouts and oil presses, quarries and columbaria (dovecots) - all very interesting to explore. Israel