Horvat 'Eqed

Khirbet el-ʻAqd
خربه العقد (Arabic)
Jewish ritual bath in Khirbet el-ʻAqd
Horvat 'Eqed is located in Israel
Horvat 'Eqed
Shown within Israel
Alternative nameHorvat ʻEqed
LocationCanada Park
RegionShephelah
Coordinates31°50′12″N 35°00′30″E / 31.83667°N 35.00833°E / 31.83667; 35.00833
Palestine grid150/138
TypeFortified settlement
Height365 m
History
PeriodsHellenistic and Roman
CulturesHellenistic culture, Second Temple Judaism
Associated withJews
EventsMaccabean revolt
Bar Kokhba revolt
Site notes
Excavation dates1976, 1978–1980, 1983, 2012
ConditionIn ruins
Public accessYes

Khirbet el-ʻAqd (Arabic: خربه العقد) or Horvat ʻEqed (Hebrew: חורבת עקד) is an archaeological site in the Latrun salient of the West Bank,[a] approximately 22 km northwest of Jerusalem.[1][2] The site, situated on a hill, contains the ruins of an ancient fortified town dating from the Hellenistic period through the Bar Kokhba revolt (130s CE), after which the site was ultimately abandoned.[2][3]

The site has yielded significant finds, including robust fortifications constructed during the Hellenistic period, possibly by the Seleucid general Bacchides. These defenses were subsequently strengthened during the Bar Kokhba revolt, suggesting the site's potential role as a major rebel stronghold during that period.[3][4] Further discoveries from this revolt include hiding complexes and coins used by the Jewish rebel state.[3][4][5] Notable among the findings are Jewish ritual baths, as well as remnants of weaponry such as armor scales, slingshots, ballistae and arrowheads.[2][3]

Khirbet el-ʻAqd is believed to be the site of the Hellenistic and early Roman-period town of Emmaus, with the name later shifting to a newer, larger city situated on the slopes, 2 km away from the original location.[3]


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  1. ^ Greenberg, Raphael; Keinan, Adi (2009). Israeli archaeological activity in the West Bank, 1967-2007: a sourcebook (The West Bank and East Jerusalem Archaeological Database Project) (PDF). Jerusalem, Israel: Ostracon. ISBN 978-965-91468-0-2. OCLC 501830964.
  2. ^ a b c Gichon, Mordechai; Vitale, Michaela (1991). "Arrow-Heads from Ḥorvat ʻEqed". Israel Exploration Journal. 41 (4): 242–257. ISSN 0021-2059. JSTOR 27926234.
  3. ^ a b c d e Cite error: The named reference :1 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ a b Gichon, M. (1981). "Kh. ʻAqd". Hadashot Arkheologiyot. 76: 28.
  5. ^ Damati, E. (1980). "Four Bar Kokhba Coins from Khirbet El-ʻAqd". Israel Numismatic Journal. 4: 27–29.

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