Khirbet Yattir is an archaeological site in the southern Judean hills, at the northern edge of the Negev desert. It is about 15 miles northeast of Beer-Sheva and next to the pre-1967 border (the Green Line). It was inhabited in different period, most remarkably in the Byzantine period, when it may have been settled by Judeo-Christians
History and Archaeology of Khirbet Yattir
Spread over 10 acres, several areas in Khirbet Yattir were excavated in the 1990s. Most intriguing was the discovery of a church whose mosaic floor bore unique designs. Some scholars suggested that these decorations indicate the community was Judeo-Christians. If indeed so, this is the most important testimony for the material culture of the Judeo-Christians in late antiquity.
The Judeo-Christians and Their Material CultureChristianity began as a Jewish religious movement in the First century CE. Yet unlike the rest of Judaism its followers believed Jesus is the fulfilment of Messianic prophecies from the Old Testament. Already in the mid-first century the Christians split from Judaism by abolishing key rituals like kosher food laws and circumcision. However, up the 5th century CE there is fragmentary evidence of the existence of a Jewish-Christian community living in the Holy Land. It continued to follow Jewish religious laws but adhered Jesus as Christ. The existence, character, and material culture of this community is subject to much research, yet is still quite obscure. |
Visiting Khirbet Yattir
A visit to the site can be combined with a guided day tour to Tel Beer-Sheva, Beer-Sheva and Tel Arad.
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