| Khirbet Kefireh | |
| Map Type: | Palestine |
| Map Size: | 220 |
| Coordinates: | 31.8309°N 35.1068°W |
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]
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.