Location
Maresha is located in the southern part of the Shephelah, a region of low hills in central Israel. The site includes both an upper city, situated on a mound, and a vast lower city on the slopes surrounding it.
Identification
Maresha is identified with the biblical city of the same name, mentioned in the Old Testament. The city played a significant role during the Hellenistic period and is known for its extensive underground complexes.
History and Biblical Context
Maresha is mentioned in the Bible as a city in the territory of Judah (Joshua 15:44) and is noted for its conquest by the Assyrians and later by the Hasmoneans. The city flourished during the Hellenistic period, particularly in the 3rd and 2nd centuries BCE, before its conquest by John Hyrcanus I in 111 BCE, which led to its decline.
Excavations
Excavations at Maresha were conducted by several archaeologists, including F. J. Bliss and R. A. S. Macalister in the early 20th century, and more extensively by A. Kloner from 1989 to 2001 on behalf of the Israel Antiquities Authority. These excavations revealed the complex urban layout of the city, including its fortifications, residential areas, and extensive subterranean complexes.
Findings
- Upper City: The upper city, dating to the 2nd century BCE, was laid out according to an orthogonal plan with a main east-west street dividing it into southern and northern sectors. The fortification walls of this city were uncovered, along with Iron Age layers below the Hellenistic city.
- Lower City: The lower city contained numerous underground installations and buildings above ground, extending the urban area of Maresha. Excavations in area 61 revealed structures built around central courtyards, with rich finds including pottery, loom weights, figurines, and coins dating to the late 2nd century BCE.
- Artifacts: The site yielded one of the richest Hellenistic assemblages in the Levant, including thousands of oil lamps, pottery vessels, Greek ostraca, lead sling projectiles, and lead weights. Notable finds include clay figurines, shekel weights, seals, and evidence of commercial activities.
Sources
Stern, Ephraim-New Encyclopedia of Archaeological Excavations in the Holy Land 3-Israel Exploration Society (1993)