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Te'omim Cave

Te'omim Cave
  • Twins Cave
  • מערת התאומים
Entrance to the cave
Map showing the location of Te'omim Cave
Map showing the location of Te'omim Cave
Location in Israel
LocationJerusalem District, Israel
Nearest cityBet Shemesh
Coordinates31°43′37″N 35°01′23″E / 31.72694°N 35.02306°E / 31.72694; 35.02306
EstablishedMarch 23, 1967 (1967-03-23)
Governing bodyIsrael Nature and Parks Authority

The Te'omim Cave (Hebrew: מערת התאומים, romanized: Məʿarat ha-Tə'ōmīm, lit. 'Cave of the Twins'), or the Twins Cave, Arabic name Mughâret Umm et-Tûeimîn,[1] is a karstic cave within a nature reserve in Israel located on the western edges of the Jerusalem Mountains, in the vicinity of Beit Shemesh.[2][1]

The Te'omim Cave is a central highlight along a 3 kilometers (1.9 mi) walking trail regarded as one of the most renowned and popular touristic sites in the area.[3][4] For the protection of the hibernating bat population, the cave is closed to visitors during the winter season, from November 1 to March 31. However, during the other seasons, it is open to the public.[5]

The cave holds significant archaeological significance, with discoveries spanning different historical periods. Noteworthy discoveries include human bone remains, weaponry, and coin hoards, indicating its role as a refuge cave for Jewish rebels and refugees during the Bar Kokhba revolt.[1] Furthermore, evidence of an ancient alabaster quarry dating to the Middle Bronze Age and of a possible Late Roman period cultic site associated with necromancy has been discovered in the cave,[6][2] adding to its archaeological importance.

  1. ^ a b c Zissu, Boaz; Eshel, Hanan; Langford, Boaz; Frumkin, Amos (2010). "Coins from the Bar Kokhba Revolt, hidden in Mearat Ha-Teomim (Mughâret Umm et Tûeimîn), Western Jerusalem Hills". Israel Numismatic Journal (17): 113–147.
  2. ^ a b Klein, Eitan; Zissu, Boaz (2023). "Oil Lamps, Spearheads and Skulls: Possible Evidence of Necromancy during Late Antiquity in the Te'omim Cave, Judean Hills". Harvard Theological Review. 116 (3): 399–421. doi:10.1017/S0017816023000214. ISSN 0017-8160. S2CID 259317339.
  3. ^ "נחל מערה: מסלול המשפחות שמציע פריחה, מערה ומגלשה - וואלה! תיירות" [Nahal Me'ara: the family route that offers a blossom, a cave, and a slide]. וואלה! (in Hebrew). 2023-04-28. Retrieved 2023-09-16.
  4. ^ "חוקרים: מערת התאומים שליד בית שמש שימשה אתר קדום להעלאת מתים באוב" [Researchers: the Te'omim Cave near Beit Shemesh served as an ancient site for raising the dead in necromantic rituals]. הארץ (in Hebrew). Retrieved 2023-09-16.
  5. ^ "נחל מערה ומערת התאומים - המלצה למסלול טיול בשמורת טבע נחל דולב" [Nahal Me'ara and the Twins Cave - a recommendation for an excursion route in the Nahal Dolev nature reserve]. רשות הטבע והגנים (in Hebrew). Retrieved 2023-09-14.
  6. ^ Cite error: The named reference AF was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

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