Shephelah: Difference between revisions
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[[File:PikiWiki Israel 19061 Plants of Israel.jpg|thumb|250px|Shfela lowlands]] |
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A series of east-west valleys cuts the Shfelah into districts. From north to south, they are: the Valley of Ayalon, Sorek Valley, Valley of Elah, Guvrin Valley, Valley of Lachish, and Valley of Adorayim. The biblical towns established there guarded settlements of the interior and took advantage of trade passing along this route. Ayalon was the primary access corridor to [[Jerusalem]] along the ascent of Horon. |
A series of east-west valleys cuts the Shfelah into districts. From north to south, they are: the Valley of Ayalon, Sorek Valley, Valley of Elah, Guvrin Valley, Valley of Lachish, and Valley of Adorayim. The biblical towns established there guarded settlements of the interior and took advantage of trade passing along this route. Ayalon was the primary access corridor to [[Jerusalem]] along the ascent of Horon. |
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Caves are a major feature of the southern part of the Shfela, many of them bell-shaped caved such as those in [[Beit Guvrin]]. <ref>http://www.jstor.org/discover/10.2307/40566784?uid=3738240&uid=2129&uid=2&uid=70&uid=4&sid=21101518477127 Pits and Caves in the Shephelah of Israel compared with Similar Pits in East Anglia]</ref> |
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==Archaeology== |
==Archaeology== |
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Revision as of 09:03, 4 December 2012
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (December 2012) |
The Shfela or Shephelah (Template:Lang-he-n), also Template:Hebrew, Shfelat Yehuda, "Judean foothills", is a lowland in south-central Israel stretching over 10–15 km between Mount Hebron and the coastal plain. The Shfela was one of the regions allotted to the biblical Tribe of Judah. Today the Shfela is largely rural with many farms.
Biblical references
The Shfela is mentioned in the Hebrew Bible, in Deuteronomy 1:7 (the vale); Joshua 9:1 (the valleys); 10:40 (the vale); 11:2, 16 (the valley); 12:8; 15:33; Judges 1:9; 1 Kings 10:27; Jeremiah 17:26; 32:44; 33:13; Obadiah 1:19; Zechariah 7:7; 1 Chronicles 27:28; 2 Chronicles 1:15; 9:27;26:10; 28:18. The shfela was the site of many biblical battles. During the Bar Kokhba revolt, hollowed out hills were connected to form elaborate bunker systems for the combat with the Romans.
Geography
One of the major characteristics are hills formed of marl-covered soft chalk, as opposed to the Judean Hills which are made of hard chalk and dolomite. The valleys and lower areas contain soil with a high sand content, as well as large tracts of fertile areas. Seasonal swamps can develop during the rainy season. The southern part is made up of loess, while north of Ashkelon consists of clay.
The Shfela is 120-450 metres above sea level. The area is fertile with a temperate Mediterranean to semi-arid climate.
A series of east-west valleys cuts the Shfelah into districts. From north to south, they are: the Valley of Ayalon, Sorek Valley, Valley of Elah, Guvrin Valley, Valley of Lachish, and Valley of Adorayim. The biblical towns established there guarded settlements of the interior and took advantage of trade passing along this route. Ayalon was the primary access corridor to Jerusalem along the ascent of Horon.
Caves are a major feature of the southern part of the Shfela, many of them bell-shaped caved such as those in Beit Guvrin. [1]
Archaeology
Archaeological surveys in the Shfela have found evidence of habitation during the Late Bronze period.
See also
References
- ^ http://www.jstor.org/discover/10.2307/40566784?uid=3738240&uid=2129&uid=2&uid=70&uid=4&sid=21101518477127 Pits and Caves in the Shephelah of Israel compared with Similar Pits in East Anglia]
External links
31°41′30″N 34°52′30″E / 31.69167°N 34.87500°E
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