Location: Map
Maresha, also known as Tel Maresha or Tell Sandahanna, is an ancient city located in the Shephelah region of Israel, the foothills of the Judean Mountains, approximately 2 kilometers southeast of Beit Guvrin. This archaeological site, now part of the Beit Guvrin-Maresha National Park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, offers a rich tapestry of history spanning the Iron Age, Persian, Hellenistic, and early Roman periods. Its significance lies not only in its biblical references but also in its multicultural evolution, extensive subterranean cave systems, and archaeological discoveries that illuminate the lives of its diverse inhabitants.
Iron Age (1000–586 BCE)
Maresha first appears in historical
records as a Judahite city during the Iron Age II, mentioned in the
Hebrew Bible as part of the inheritance of the tribe of Judah (Joshua
15:44). It is also noted as one of fifteen cities fortified by King
Rehoboam (931/30–913 BCE) to defend against Egyptian incursions (2
Chronicles 11:5–8). The city played a strategic role due to its location
in the Shephelah, a fertile lowland region connecting the Judean
highlands to the coastal plain, making it a key point along trade and
military routes.
Maresha is referenced in 2 Chronicles 14:9–10 as
the site of a battle where King Asa of Judah (911/10–870/69 BCE)
defeated Zerah the Ethiopian, likely a commander of Egyptian or Libyan
forces, with an army of a million soldiers. The prophet Micah, possibly
a native of Maresha according to the Madaba Map, warned of its
destruction by the Assyrian king Sennacherib in 701 BCE during his
campaign against Judah (Micah 1:15). Archaeological evidence, including
LMLK (Hebrew for “to the king”) seal impressions on jar handles,
supports Maresha’s role as a fortified Judahite city during this period.
The city’s Judahite phase ended in 586 BCE when Nebuchadnezzar II of
Babylon conquered Judah, deporting many inhabitants and marking the end
of Maresha as a Judahite stronghold.
Persian Period (586–332 BCE)
Following the Babylonian conquest, Edomites from regions east and south
of the Dead Sea migrated into southern Judah, establishing Maresha as a
major city in the region known as Idumea (a Hellenized form of Edom).
During Persian rule, Phoenician settlers, particularly from Sidon, began
colonizing the area, encouraged by Persian policies to secure coastal
and inland regions. This period saw the beginning of Maresha’s
transformation into a multicultural hub, with Edomites and Phoenicians
carving early subterranean caves into the soft chalk bedrock for
storage, dwellings, and tombs.
Hellenistic Period (332–112 BCE)
Maresha reached its zenith during the Hellenistic period after Alexander
the Great’s conquest of the region in 332 BCE. Renamed Marisa or
Marissa, the city was settled by retired Greek soldiers, a common
practice to Hellenize conquered territories. This era saw Maresha
flourish as a cosmopolitan center, blending Greek, Edomite, Phoenician,
Sidonian, and Nabataean cultures. The city expanded beyond the 24-dunam
(5.9-acre) tell to a 400-dunam (98-acre) lower city, reflecting its
growth and prosperity.
Under Ptolemaic rule (3rd century BCE),
Maresha became a key supplier of olive oil to Egypt, with over 22
underground olive presses documented. After 200 BCE, it served as an
administrative center in the Seleucid Empire. The Zenon Papyri (259 BCE)
mention Maresha, indicating its economic importance. The city likely
housed a temple to Apollo, and its burial caves, adorned with
Greek-style art, reflect strong Hellenistic influences from Alexandria.
Maresha’s prosperity waned during the Maccabean Revolt (167–160 BCE)
when it was used as a Seleucid base against Jewish rebels. Judas
Maccabeus burned the city around 163/2 BCE during his campaign in Idumea
(1 Maccabees). In 112 BCE, Hasmonean ruler John Hyrcanus I captured
Maresha, forcibly converting its inhabitants to Judaism or expelling
them, leading to its decline.
Roman and Parthian Periods (63
BCE–40 BCE)
In 63 BCE, Roman general Pompey detached Maresha and
Idumea from the Jewish kingdom, restoring its Idumean status. Julius
Caesar annexed it to Judea in 47 BCE. The city met its final destruction
in 40 BCE when Parthians, allied with the Hasmonean Antigonus,
devastated Maresha during a power struggle with Herod the Great, an
Idumean supported by Rome. After this, Maresha was abandoned, and nearby
Beit Guvrin (later Eleutheropolis) emerged as the region’s main
settlement.
Later Periods
Maresha saw limited activity during
the Byzantine and early Islamic periods, with some caves reused during
the Bar Kokhba Revolt (132–135 CE) as hideouts for Jewish rebels. By the
Roman period, Beit Guvrin had fully supplanted Maresha, which remained
largely deserted.
Maresha’s archaeological importance stems from its well-preserved
remains, particularly its subterranean cave complexes, which are among
the most extensive in the ancient Near East. The site was first
excavated in 1898–1900 by British archaeologists Frederick Bliss and
R.A.S. Macalister for the Palestine Exploration Fund, with many
artifacts now housed in the Istanbul Archaeology Museums. Israeli
archaeologist Amos Kloner led excavations from 1989 to 2001, followed by
Ian Stern and Bernie Alpert from 2002 onward, uncovering significant
finds that illuminate Maresha’s multicultural history.
Subterranean Cave Complexes
Maresha’s most iconic feature is its
network of over 170 subterranean complexes, carved from the soft chalk
bedrock beneath a hard limestone (nari) layer. These caves, primarily
from the Hellenistic period, served multiple purposes:
Dovecots
(Columbaria): Over 85 caves were used as dovecots, with niches for
housing pigeons. Doves provided meat, eggs, and droppings for
fertilizer, and were used in religious rituals by Jews, pagans, and
Samaritans. The “Polish Cave” is a notable example.
Olive Presses: At
least 22 underground olive presses from the Hellenistic period highlight
Maresha’s role as an olive oil producer. Olive oil was used for cooking,
lighting, and bathing.
Cisterns and Storage: Caves stored water and
goods, supporting the city’s economy and self-sufficiency.
Dwellings
and Mazes: Complexes like the “Underground Maze” and “Mavokh” (Cave of
Saint Anne) feature interconnected rooms, staircases, and passageways,
some underlying villas. These were used as homes, workshops, or storage.
Burial Caves: Elaborate tombs, such as the Sidonian Burial Cave, contain
Greek funerary inscriptions and vivid frescoes depicting African animals
(lions, giraffes, rhinos), mythological creatures (gryphons, Cerberus),
and Greek architectural motifs. One inscription identifies the tomb of
the “head of the Sidonians community in Maresha,” reflecting the city’s
diverse population.
The caves were created by quarrying chalkstone
for construction, later repurposed for various uses. Their scale and
preservation make Maresha a unique window into Hellenistic urban life.
Key Archaeological Finds
Hellenistic Pottery and Roman Artifacts:
Excavations uncovered Hellenistic pottery, Roman oil lamps, and a
casserole dish, suggesting limited use of the caves during the Bar
Kokhba Revolt.
Clay Bullae: In 2018, archaeologists discovered over
1,000 clay seal impressions (bullae) in a cave, indicating an archive of
hundreds of documents, likely papyrus or parchment, that did not survive
the humid conditions. The bullae feature Greek deities (e.g., Athena
Promachos) and other motifs, underscoring Maresha’s Hellenistic culture.
This is the largest private archive found in the Levant.
LMLK Seals:
Iron Age jar handles with LMLK inscriptions confirm Maresha’s role as a
Judahite administrative center.
Coin from Beit Guvrin: A 1st-century
BCE coin possibly minted by Maresha’s citizens was found at Beit Guvrin,
suggesting a temporary shift of the city’s name or population after
Hyrcanus’ conquest.
Upper and Lower City
The tell (24 dunams)
housed the “upper city,” with fortifications from the 8th–6th centuries
BCE and Hellenistic structures. The “lower city” (400 dunams) contained
houses, shops, and a grid-like layout, reflecting Hellenistic urban
planning. Most above-ground remains date to the Hellenistic period, as
earlier structures were likely quarried for later construction.
Maresha’s history reflects a remarkable blend of cultures:
Judahite Period: A fortified city with a Hebrew-speaking population,
tied to the Kingdom of Judah’s religious and political systems.
Idumean Phase: Edomites brought their traditions, while Phoenician
settlers introduced maritime and mercantile influences.
Hellenistic
Era: Greek culture dominated, with retired soldiers, Sidonian elites,
and Nabataean traders creating a cosmopolitan society. The burial caves’
art and inscriptions show Greek, Egyptian, and local influences, with
some residents adopting Greek names while retaining Edomite identities.
Hasmonean and Roman Periods: Forced Judaization under Hyrcanus and Roman
interventions reshaped Maresha’s identity, culminating in its
destruction.
This multiculturalism is evident in the city’s art,
architecture, and artifacts, making Maresha a key site for understanding
Hellenistic Israel’s diversity.
Today, Beit Guvrin-Maresha National Park offers visitors a chance to
explore Maresha’s ruins and caves. Key attractions include:
Guided
Tours: Providing insights into the site’s history and archaeology.
Dig for a Day: A program allowing tourists to participate in
excavations, popular among families and youth groups.
Hiking Trails:
Offering scenic views of the Shephelah’s rolling hills.
Notable
Caves: The Polish Cave, Olive Press Cave, and Sidonian Burial Cave are
highlights, with the latter’s frescoes being a must-see.
The park’s
accessibility, with parking lots and marked paths, makes it ideal for
families, though visitors are advised to wear comfortable shoes and
bring water due to limited on-site amenities. Public transportation from
Jerusalem or Tel Aviv to Be’er Sheva, followed by a local bus to
Yavne’el and a taxi, provides access.