Khirbet Hanot / Goliath’s Burial Place?
Khirbet Hanot is an archaeological site along the ancient road from Beit Guvrin to Jerusalem. In the Byzantine period, Christian pilgrims identified here the burial site of Goliath.
History of Khirbet Hanot
The book of Samuel records the turbulent period of repeated clashes between the Philistines and the Israelites. Perhaps most famous, is the battle between David and Goliath. Taking place in the Elah Valley, beneath Azekah, the battle ended with David beheading Goliath. The bible indicates David took Goliath’s head to Jerusalem (1 Samuel 17:54), but it does not record the fate of Goliath’s Headless body.
Tradition on Goliath’s Tomb
In the Byzantine period (4th to 7th century CE) Christians developed a tradition that Goliath was buried along a road leading up to Jerusalem. Sixth century AD pilgrim Antoninus Martyr provides the most detailed account of this tradition –
As we were coming back to Jerusalem, and coming down on the road which goes to Gaza and Ashkelon, we kept on for 20 miles from Jerusalem and we came to Mount Gilboa, where David slaughtered Goliath (1 Sam 17). There Saul and Jonathan died (1 Sam 31-2 Sam 1). There also Goliath rests in the middle of the road, a wooden heap at his head. The pile of rocks forms a high hill, such that there is no movable stone for 20 miles since it is a holy custom that whenever anybody passes by, they pick up three stones and throw them at that mound. It never rains in those hills, and there is a mystery in the night-time hours: they see unclean spirits moving around; according to eyewitnesses, they are like fleecy clouds of wool, or perhaps sea waves.
Tracking the Tomb of Goliath
Khirbet Hanot (Arabic: “Khirbet el-Khan”) is along the road descending from Jerusalem to the Judean southern lowlands. Excavations at the site in the 1980s uncovered a Byzantine chapel with a colorful mosaic floor. An adjacent stone tumulus seems to fit the significant hip of stones described by Byzantine Period sources. This may be the site associated with the burial of Goliath in the Byzantine period.
Touring Khirbet Hanot
The site is accessible from road 375. The Chapel’s mosaic floor is covered by sand for its protection. A marked trail from khirbet Hanot traverses through a lush forest, parallel to the modern road. It follows at some parts an ascent from Roman times. At two locations well preserved remains of stairs carved in the rock are still visible. Formed in Roman Imperial times, the ascent is labeled as “The Caesar’s Ascent”.
A tour of Khirbet Hanot and a hike along the Caesar’s Ascent can be combined in a guided day tour in the Judean Foothills (the Shephelah).
