Hebron, Al-Khalil, in full Al-Khalil Ar-Rahman (the beloved of God, a reference to Ibrahim), is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. Canaanite Arabs came to this area around 3000 B.C. Their settlements are the foundations of many of the towns and villages in the Hebron District. The villages of Arba-Al-Khalil, Halhoul and Carmel are some of the Palestinian cities whose origins are traceable to Canaanite settlements.
Originally, Hebron was known by the name of Karyat Arba. It was named after a leader of an Arab tribe whose name was Arba. He was of the Anakite Tribe which lived in the hills that stretch from Hebron to Jerusalem. The Anakites were described by those who knew them as "mighty ones".
The Canaaites were visited by the Prophet Ibrahim about 1900 B.C., when he came to dwell in the city. The city was destined to contain his remains, and those of his family; Sara, Isaac, Rebkah, Jacob and Leah. Legend has it that Adam and Eve are also buried here. The location of their tombs was the reason that Hebron became the second holiest place in Palestine for Muslims.
Al Haram Al Ibrahimi (where the Tomb of Ibrahim El Khalil is located) was built in the days of Herod and expanded during the Crusader period. During the Mamluk period it was divided into several mosques, embellished with slabs of marble, colored plaster and inscriptions (I.M.D.& Carta 1993; Encyclopedia Palestina 1994).
Beit Zur (Khirbet et Tubeiqa): tel located 6 km north of Hebron. It is on the site of the ancient city of Beth-Zur that the Hebron-Jerusalem road was controlled and was consequently a battlefield in various periods. Beit Zur is mentioned during the Persian period as an important city whose inhabitants participated in rebuilding Jerusalem. Excavations at Khirbat Tubeiqa shows uncovered Iron Age remains (Al-Dabbagh, M. 1991).
Khirbet Burj es Sur: There is found the remains of Crusader defense tower built on the ruins of a Byzantine fortress. Other finds indicate inhabitation from post-Babylonian Exile until the Ottoman period (I.M.D.& Carta 1993).
Issha: A small village to the north-west of Halhul, where the remnants of a building, mosaic floor, fragments of columns, wine press and rock-cut tombs (Al-Dabbagh, M. 1991).
Baqqar: Located near the village of Issha, has the remnants of a building, cisterns and many caves (Al-Dabbagh, M. 1991).
Al-Hasaka: Located in the south-west of Halhul, this site contains many springs, the remnants of a tower, the remains of a mosque and a wine press (Al-Dabbagh, M. 1991).
Ein Ed Dirwa: It is a spring located 6 km north of Hebron, near the ruins of Bet Zur. The name means spring of the peak (the spring originates 960 m. above sea level). According to Christian tradition it is believed to be St. Philip's fountain. It also has the ruins of a Roman way-station, burial caves and a Byzantine Church (I.M.D.& Carta 1993).
Khirbet el Qatt: It is a ruined town located 3 km north of Halhul. It has the remains of a square fortress, (30 x 30 m), built of undressed stones and containing rows of rooms enclosing a central courtyard. The shards indicate inhabitancy during the Iron Age, the Persian and Byzantine periods (I.M.D.& Carta 1993).
Khirbet en Nasara: A settlement ruin on a hill, 3 km north-west of Hebron, close to Beit Kahil. It has remains of structures, cisterns and caves. The name hints that it had been a Christian settlement (Nasara=Christians). The shards found indicate habitation in the Iron Age, and in the Byzantine and the Middle Ages (I.M.D.& Carta 1993).
Khirbet Abu (er) Reesh: A small village south-east of Eshuyukh, where ruins of a church, two columns and a cistern are located (Al-Dabbagh, M. 1991).
Khirbet Beit Anon: A ruin located 2 km south-east of Halhul. It has the remains of a church with a mosaic floor. Many shards indicate inhabitancy in the Iron Age, Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine and in the Medieval periods (Al-Dabbagh, M. 1991).
Khirbet Jadur: A village located 12 km north of Hebron. Adjacent to the village is a tel with remains from the Bronze Age through the Mamluk period. Cave-tombs and a secret tunnel system are still found here (I.M.D.& Carta 1993; Al-Dabbagh, M. 1991).
Khirbet Kufin: Settlement ruins 10 km north of Hebron, where the remains of a two large dressed stone structures, apparently from the Roman period, are found along with an underground vaulted structure from the Byzantine period. Finds also contain many shards which indicate habitation in the Middle Bronze Age and from the Hellenistic period until the early Arab periods (I.M.D.& Carta 1993; Al-Dabbagh, M. 1991).
Deir (Ash) Sha'ar: Located at the northern-east of Beit Ummar, here is found the remnants of a Byzantine church, a mosaic floor, and an olive press (Al-Dabbagh, M. 1991).
Rujm Abu Hilal: Ruin in the Hebron Hills 8 km south-west of Hebron. It has hewn stone walls of square structure perhaps a fortified tower, and shards from Roman and Byzantine periods (I.M.D.& Carta 1993).
Beit Awwa: A village located 15 km south-west of Hebron. It is built on the ruins of an ancient settlement and contains shards from end of Babylonian Exile to Byzantine era. A baptismal font in the shape of a cross was found among remains of the ancient buildings (I.M.D.& Carta 1993; Al-Dabbagh, M. 1991).
Khirbet Karmah: A village in located 12 km south-west of Hebron, which is built on the ruins of an ancient settlement from the Byzantine period and from the Middle Ages. The remains contain buildings, wine presses and caves (I.M.D.& Carta 1993; Al-Dabbagh, M. 1991).
Khirbet el Burj:Settlement ruins located 11 km north-west of Hebron. In the middle of the ruins are the remains of a square structure, apparently a khan; its walls have been preserved to a considerable height. Many remains of other structures and an olive oil press in addition to shards which indicate habitation during the Byzantine period and in the Middle Ages (I.M.D.& Carta 1993).
Beit Marsam: A small village which is very close to Khirbat el Burj, 20 km south-west of Hebron. There are found remnants of a church and a mosaic floor. Tel Beit Marsam, which is very close, contains the remains of an old city and its external wall (Al-Dabbagh, M. 1991).
Raboud (Debir: Canaanite name): A village located 12 km south-west of Hebron. Adjacent to it, there is a tel with remains of a double wall, built of hewn stones, in addition to other structures. The tel and its surrounding area also contain shards that indicate inhabitation from Early Bronze Age to Iron Age and during the Hellenistic period (I.M.D.& Carta 1993; Al-Dabbagh, M. 1991).
Khirbet Deir El-Asal: Located in the south-west of Dura. It has the remains of a church, buildings, cisterns, wine press and tombs (Al-Dabbagh, M. 1991).
Abda:A small village located 10 km south-west of Hebron. The tel in the village has caves and cisterns. It is also has many shards which indicate Byzantine and Medieval settlement (I.D. & Carta 1993).
(Al) Majd: A small village in the Hebron Hills, 13 km south-west of Hebron, which is built on the ruins of an ancient settlement. The ruins contain burial caves, cisterns and shards that indicate Byzantine, Medieval and Ottoman habitation (I.M.D.& Carta 1993; Al-Dabbagh, M. 1991).
Kirza: A village located 15 km from Hebron, which is built on the ruins of the Byzantine settlement. Apparently was also inhabited in the Middle Ages. It has the remains of walls and columns (I.D.& Carta 1993).
Kharsa: An Arab village located 10 km south-west of Hebron. Its name means the small wood. It has the remains of a two-roomed structure built of dressed stones with decorated columns and lintels. Many shards which indicate occupation in the Byzantine period and in the Middle Ages were found (I.M.D.& Carta 1993).
Khirbet el Muraq: An Arab village located 13 km west of Hebron, which is built on the ruins of an ancient settlement. Remains of magnificent columns and a frescoed structure from the reign of Herod was found. Nearby are the remains of a tower built of undressed stones. The found shards and other remains indicate habitation in the Byzantine and Arab periods (I.M.D.& Carta 1993).
Turrama: Located at the southern part of Dura. Here are found the remnants of a fortress, a pool, and large number of caves (Al-Dabbagh, M. 1991).
Khirbet Fir'a: A settlement ruin located 9 km west of Hebron. It was inhabited during the Iron Ages, Byzantine period and in the Middle Ages. Remains of a number of structures, columns and mosaic floor are found (I.M.D.& Carta 1993; Al-Dabbagh, M. 1991).
Khirbet Shadrawan: Located in the southern part of Beit Awwa, this site holds the remains of a church, fragments of columns, caves and cisterns (Al-Dabbagh, M. 1991).
Khirbet Majadel: A small village located at the south-west of Dura, where the remains of buildings, columns, caves and cisterns are found (Al-Dabbagh, M. 1991).
Khirbet Efqaqees: Remains of an ancient structure (perhaps a fortress), 13 km south-west of Hebron. One corner has remained to a height of several stone courses. The finds of cisterns, caves and shards indicate an Iron Age settlement (I.M.D.& Carta 1993).
(Al) Hadab: An Arab village in Hebron Hills, 8 km south-west of Hebron. To the north of the village is the tel of an ancient settlement with remains of a city wall, fragments of Mesolithic flint implements and columbarium at the summit. The found shards indicate inhabitancy during the Early Bronze and Iron Ages, the Hellenistic and the Byzantine periods (I.M.D.& Carta 1993).
Khirbet el Kum: An Arab village located 14 km west of Hebron, which is built on a partly excavated ancient tel. It has the remains of a wall and many tombs from the Middle Bronze and the Iron Ages. The found shards indicate habitation in the Early Bronze Age (I.M.D.& Carta 1993).
(Al) Burj: An Arab village on the border of Hebron Desert, 20 km south-west of Hebron. The site has ruins scattered over a large area. Some of the ancient ruins and caves still serve as dwelling places. In the center of the village, there are remains of a crusader fortress identified as Castellum Ficuum (Fortress of Figs). The found shards indicate occupation from the Byzantine period to the Middle Ages (I.M.D.& Carta 1993).
(Al) Qusur: Remains of square Byzantine fort, 9 km south-west of Hebron. Probably built to guard the meeting point of the 2 streams below it, and also the way to Khirbat el Fari'a (I.M.D.& Carta 1993).
Khirbet (el) Lauza: A village located 5 km west of Hebron, which is built on the ruins of the Roman and the Byzantine settlement. It has remains of ancient structures and an olive oil press (I.M.D.& Carta 1993).
Khirbet ed Dilba: A village located 8 km south-west of Hebron. Within the village there are ancient building stones, cistern, a tomb and caves (I.M.D.& Carta 1993; Al-Dabbagh, M. 1991).
Khirbet el Majur: A ruin in the Hebron Hills, 9 km south-west of Hebron. Here were found remains of a large stone square structure and another building. The shards indicate inhabitation in the Byzantine period and in the Middle Ages (I.M.D.& Carta 1993).
Khirbet (es) Stabul: A village built on the ruins of a Roman town, it has the remains of walls, caves, columns, and mosaic floors (Al-Dabbagh, M. 1991).
Nabi Yaqin: A Holy Moslem tomb on the border of the Hebron Desert, 5 km south-east of Hebron adjacent to Bani Na'im village. Local tradition claims this is the spot from where Abraham viewed the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (nowadays known as the Dead Sea). It has the remains of a 10th century structure, apparently built over burial caves. The shards found indicate inhabitation in the Byzantine period and in the Middle Ages (I.M.D.& Carta 1993).
Khirbet Bani Dar: A tel of an ancient settlement in the Hebron Hills, 5 km south-east of Hebron. The old site is believed to be partially preserved because of its closeness to the nearby Moslem shrine in Nabi Yaqin. The finds include remains of buildings, caves and rock niches. At the foot of the tel is a spring and a tunnel. The found shards indicate inhabitation in the Iron Age, Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine periods and in the Middle Ages (I.M.D.& Carta 1993).
Khirbet el Karmel: A village in the Hebron Hills, 10 km south-east of Hebron. It was a large town during the Roman and the Byzantine periods. It was also a fortified city, protecting the route to the Negev in the Crusader period. The found shards indicate inhabitation in the Chacolithic period, the Bronze and Iron Ages, and the Byzantine and the Crusader periods. The site also contains a cemetery and a storage pool from the Roman-Byzantine periods and various tombs (including shaft and pit types) from the Roman period alone. The remains of two churches and a fort from the Crusader period were also found (I.M.D.& Carta 1993).
Khirbet Al-Aziz: A village located at the southern part of Yatta on the way to es-Samu'. It contains the remains of old Roman roads, columns, and the wine presses (Al-Dabbagh, M. 1991).
Beit Amra: An Arab village located 10 km south-west of Hebron. The site has ruins and remains of two churches (I.M.D.& Carta 1993).
Khirbet Munzeil: A settlement ruin in the Hebron Hills, 6 km south-east of Hebron. The finds include remains of structures and shards from the Roman-Byzantine period and the Middle Ages (I.M.D.& Carta 1993).
Rujum Barakat: A ruin located 6 km south-east of Yatta village. It has the remains of a Byzantine Church, column fragments, pools and other structures (I.M.D.& Carta 1993).
Khirbet Khraisa: A large ruin in the Hebron Hills, 10 km south of Hebron. It was inhabited during the Roman-Byzantine period and in the Middle Ages. It has the remains of many buildings; including a church or monastery with a mosaic floor, capitals and columns. In the nearby area there are caves and cisterns (I.M.D.& Carta 1993).
Khirbet Um el Amad: A ruin in the Hebron hills, 11 km south-west of Hebron. It has remains of a Byzantine church, columns and other architectural fragments, pedestals and capitals. Near the church, there are caves, cisterns and remains of houses. The nearby tel was inhabited during the Iron Age, and in the Hellenistic and the Roman-Byzantine periods (I.M.D.& Carta 1993; Al-Dabbagh, M. 1991).
Khirbet Majdal Ba'a (Kh.Majd el Ba'): A ruin in the Hebron Hills, 11 km south of Hebron. It has the remains of a large structure, apparently a church, whose walls are preserved to a considerable height. The found shards indicate inhabitancy during the Byzantine period and in the Middle Ages (I.M.D.& Carta 1993).
Khirbet es Simya: A village located 13 km south-west of Hebron on the way to (es) Samu'. According to one theory, it is the site of Biblical city Eshan. Within the confines of the village there are remains of ancient structures and rock-cut cave-tombs of which one tomb has a row of columns. Shards indicate inhabitation in the Roman period and in the Middle Ages (I.M.D.& Carta 1993).
Rafat: Located in the southern boundary of (es) Samu', this site contains the remnants of an old mosque, remains of old buildings, wells, and tombs. Close to it there is a site known as "Deir Rafat" which contains the remains of a monastery and a cave (Al-Dabbagh, M. 1991).
Rujum ed Deir: A ruin of fort in the Hebron Hills, 6 km north of Sammu'. It has the remains of a fort built on a hill and surrounded by a wall. Shards indicate inhabitation in the Roman and Byzantine periods (I.M.D.& Carta 1993).
Rujm el Hamri: A ruin of a Roman-Byzantine fort on the border of the Hebron Hills and Desert, 4 km east of Samu'. It is rectangular in shape with a central courtyard lined with rooms. The walls are preserved to a height of 6 courses. In the nearby area there are burial caves, rock-cut cisterns and other remains. Shards indicate inhabitation in the Iron Age, and in the Roman and Byzantine periods (I.M.D.&Carta 1993).
Tel Qeriyyot (Khirbet el Qaryatein): It is a tel of an ancient settlement in the Hebron Hills, 8 km south-east of Samu'. The local caves were used as dwellings and have entrances built of dressed stones (I.M.D.& Carta 1993).
Ennab es Saghir: A village located 2 km west of Al-Dhahriya. The site has a tel that extends over an area of 15 dunums. Finds include: caves, wine presses, heaps of stones, columns and church remnants. Shards indicate inhabitation from the Iron Age until the Middle Ages (I.M.D.& Carta 1993).
Khirbet Kafr Jul (Jawr): Settlement ruin in the Hebron Hills, 4 km north-west of al- Dhahriya. It has remains of buildings, broken column shafts, rock-cut cisterns and cave-tombs. It has evidence of being inhabited in the Byzantine period and in the Middle Ages (I.M.D.& Carta 1993; Al-Dabbagh, M. 1991).
Khirbet Uttir: A small village south-west of Al-Dhahriya. Here are remnants of old buildings, tombs, wine presses, columns, and water cisterns (Al-Dabbagh, M. 1991).
Al-Hubbaileh: A village close to Sureef where the remnants of walls, a church with mosaic floors, columns, a well, and caves are found (Al-Dabbagh, M. 1991).
Khirbet Abu (esh) Shouk: Located to the south-west of Sureef. It has the remnants of buildings, cisterns, a wine press, and the trace of a Roman road (Al-Dabbagh, M. 1991).
Khirbet Al-Khurraiseh: Close to Idna where the remnants of a small church, columns, Caves, and cisterns are found (Al-Dabbagh, M. 1991).
Khirbet en Nabi Salih: An Arab village in the Hebron Hills, 10 km north-west of Hebron, built on the ruins of an ancient settlement. Here the Tomb of en Nabi Salih is found (I.M.D.& Carta 1993).
Khirbet Kuazeibah: A settlement ruin 9 km north-east of Hebron. It is believed to be the site of the Biblical city Cozeba that was called Koziva or Bet Koziva in the Byzantine period. Here are found remains of many Roman-Byzantine and Medieval structures, including a hewn stone building still extant to a height of 5 m (I.M.D.& Carta 1993).
Khirbet Ras et Tawil: A tel 5 km north-east of Hebron and 1 km south-west of Halhul. The found shards indicate habitation during the Iron Age, and in the Roman-Byzantine periods. Cave-tombs, cisterns and caves are scattered around the tel, some of the caves still used today (I.M.D.& Carta 1993).
Rujm el Qasr: Remains of a square Byzantine fortress on the border of the Hebron Hills and Desert, 8 km north-east of Hebron. Its walls have been preserved to a considerable height. Iron Age shards are also found here (I.M.D.& Carta 1993).
Khirbet Qila: A village in the Hebron Hills, 15 km north-west of Hebron. Adjacent to the village is Tel Qila, the site of the ancient city of Keilah, which is mentioned in Tel al 'Amarna letters as an important city kingdom. After Babylonian Exile, it was a district capital and its residents participated in building the walls of Jerusalem. During Roman-Byzantine periods it was famous for its figs and grain. Christian tradition claims that prophet Habakkuk was buried here. Tel Qila has remains of walls and tombs. The found shards indicate habitation from the Middle Bronze Age to the Iron Age and from the Persian period until the Middle Ages (I.M.D.& Carta 1993).
Khirbet Tawas: A ruin in the Hebron Hills north-west of Qila. The excavated agricultural installations and shards indicate human settlement in the Iron Age, the Roman-Byzantine periods and in the Middle Ages (I.M.D.& Carta 1993).
Khirbet Kan'an: Here are found ruins of a Roman settlement and an ancient road from Hebron to Beit Gebrin which was probably paved in days of Emperor Hadrian. There are also remains of what appears to be a road fortress (I.M.D.& Carta 1993).
Magharat Tur es Safa: Large underground cave in the Hebron Hills 3 km north-east of Tarqumya. It contains prehistoric remains (I.M.D.& Carta 1993).
Khirbet (et) Tayyiba: A tel 7 km north-west of Hebron. It has remains from the Middle Bronze Age, the Iron Age, the Byzantine period and the Middle Ages. Near the tel there is a ruin, a well (Beir et Tayyiba), many cisterns, and rock-cuttings from later periods (I.M.D.& Carta 1993).
Khirbet Um Zuweitina: Settlement remains in the Hebron Desert, 13 km north-east of Hebron. It has many tumuli scattered over the area, as well as remains of rectangular and round structures. It was inhabited in the Chalcolithic period, in the Early Bronze and Iron Ages, and from Hellenistic period until the Middle Ages (I.M.D.& Carta 1993; Al-Dabbagh, M. 1991).
Zahrat el Miqtah: Ruins of structures in Hebron Desert, 13 km east of Hebron consisting of rectangular buildings, a cistern and a round structure. Shards indicate inhabitation in the Iron Age and in the Roman period (I.M.D. & Carta 1993).
Khirbet (ed) Deir: Settlement ruin in the Hebron Desert. Inhabited in the Roman, Byzantine and Arab periods. There are remains of 3 square structures, 2 stone mounds, channels and water cisterns (I.M.D & Carta 1993; Al-Dabbagh, M. 1991).
