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Ramat Rachel

Aerial View of Ramat Rachel Aerial View of Ramat Rachel

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Used with permission from Biblewalks.com


Names

Transliterated Name Source Name
Ramat Rachel Hebrew רָמַת רָחֵל‎
Khirbet es-Sallah Arabic كهيربيت يسءساللاه
Bethofor Byzantine Name
Pathofor Variant of Byzantine Name
Betheabra Variant of Byzantine Name
Kathisma Incorrect Byzantine Name
MMST Theorized Ancient Name
Introduction
Introduction

The mound of Ramat Rahel is located on a prominent hill midway between the Old City of Jerusalem and Bethlehem (Yohanan Aharoni in Stern et al, 1993). Numerous excavations carried out on the mound have uncovered remains from the 8th century BCE until the present punctuated by possible destructions - at the end of the 4th century BCE, at the end of the first Jewish War against Rome in ca. 70 CE, and after a mid 8th century CE earthquake. The town appears to have grown during the Byzantine period followed by an Early Arab period built upon the ruins of Byzantine strata. The Byzantine town was originally thought to have been named Kathisma after a story that it was the site where Mary rested on her way to Bethlehem but the discovery of what appears to be the authentic Kathisma Church nearby has dis-affirmed that. Excavations by Aharoni in the 1950's appear to have suffered from organizational problems, may have been hindered by geopolitical tensions of the time, and produced some faulty conclusions (e.g. that the Kathisma Church was located there and that the Roman 10th Legion was stationed there) but the stratigraphic framework appears to be approximately correct and useful. More recent excavations by Oded Lipschitz and Manfed Oeming appear to have resolved a number of earlier problems.

Identification and History

The mound of Ramat Rahel is situated on a prominent hill (818 m above sea level) almost midway between the Old City of Jerusalem and Bethlehem. The site is occupied today by Kibbutz Ramat Rahel (map reference 1708.1275). The ancient name of the site has not been preserved, but about 400 m west of the mound is the well of Bir Qadismu, which preserves the name of the Byzantine Kathisma (Καθισμα) Church.

Excavations carried out on the mound have established that the first settlement was founded in the ninth or eighth century BCE, when a royal stronghold was constructed surrounded by gardens and farmhouses. This was followed by a fortress with a magnificent palace at its center, erected by one of the later kings of Judah. The many seal impressions stamped Yehud (Judah) found on the site indicate that it was an administrative center during the Persian period. At the end of the Second Temple period, an ordinary settlement containing a large number of workshops occupied the site, which shared the fate of Jerusalem when that city was destroyed (70 CE). The Tenth Roman Legion was later stationed here. According to Cyril of Scythopolis (Vita Theodorii 1), the Kathisma Church and monastery were built on the site in the middle of the fifth century CE. A poorly constructed Arab settlement here in the eighth century CE was the last before the modern period.

The excavations did not confirm B. Mazar's proposal to identify the site with Netophah since, according to the Bible, that city existed in the days of David (2 Sam. 23:28 and passim), and no remains of so early a period were uncovered there. The results did prompt Y. Aharoni to suggest that the site be identified with Beth-Haccherem, an assumption most scholars share. Beth-Haccherem is first mentioned in a roster of Judean cities in the Bethlehem district that cannot be earlier than the ninth century BCE (addition of the Septuagint to Jos. 15:59a, Καρεμ). In the time of Jeremiah, fire signals to warn Jerusalem were sent up from Beth-Haccherem (Jer. 6:1). In the days of Nehemiah, Beth-Haccherem was a district center (Neh. 3:14). From the Mishnah (Mid. 3, 4) and from the Judean Desert scrolls (Genesis Apocryphon XXII, 14; Copper Scroll X, 5), it is learned that Beth-Haccherem and the Valley of Beth-Haccherem were very close to Jerusalem. All these sources are consistent with the conclusions arrived at in the excavations. It can be assumed that the ancient royal citadel was built on the site of the king's vineyards: hence the name Beth-Haccherem ("house of the vineyard"). The later citadel and the palace, which are described in Jeremiah (22:13-19), were probably built by Jehoiakim, son of Josiah (608-597 BCE). The window balustrades found in the excavations (see below, stratum VA) are apparently those mentioned by Jeremiah 22. Y. Yadin suggested identifying the site with the house Athaliah built for the god Ba'al in Jerusalem (2 Kg. II: 18). The church and the monastery that were built on the site in the Byzantine period were called by the name of Kathisma, "seat," following a Christian tradition, reported in the proto-Evangelion of James (17:2-3), according to which Mary, mother of Jesus, rested here on her way to Bethlehem.

Excavations

Early Explorations and Excavations in the 1950s and 1960s

In 1931, a burial cave dating from the end of the Second Temple period was discovered south of the mound. It was excavated by B. Mazar and M. Stekelis on behalf of the Palestine Exploration Society. Excavations on the mound itself were undertaken in the summer of 1954 under the direction of Y. Aharani, on behalf of the Israel Department of Antiquities and the Israel Exploration Society. Five seasons of campaigns were conducted at the site. In 1959, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem in conjunction with the above named institutions, sponsored the excavations; in the years 1960, 1961, and 1962 they were under the joint sponsorship of the three Israeli institutions and the University of Rome.

Excavations in 1984

In 1984, excavations were carried out at Ramat Rahel under the direction of G. Barkay, on behalf of the Institute of Archaeology at Tel Aviv University, the Israel Exploration Society, and the Institute of Holyland Studies on Mount Zion. The excavations were concentrated in two trenches cut in the northern and the western slopes of the mound. Under the earliest floors of the citadel pottery from the eighth century BCE was found, indicating the period in which, according to the excavator, the first Iron Age buildings were erected. In Barkay's opinion, there was a city here that included a palace built by Hezekiah. He suggests identifying the site with Mmst, one of the four place names mentioned in the lamelekh stamps.

Maps, Aerial Views, and Plans
Maps, Aerial Views, and Plans

Maps

  • Fig. 1 - Location Map
    Figure 1

    Ramath Rahel and its vicinity

    (Drawn by M. Seydewitz-Karmon)

    Aharoni (1956)
    from Aharoni (1956)
  • Fig. 1 - Location Map
    Figure 1

    Map of Ramat Raḥel and its vicinity, based on a map prepared by the Palestine Exploration Fund

    (Adapted by Ido Koch)

    Lipschitz et al (2011)
    from Lipschitz et al (2011)
  • Fig. 1 - Location Map
    Figure 1.1

    Location Map

    Avner (2016)
    from Avner (2016)
  • Fig. 9 - Topographic Map
    Figure 9

    The Ramat Raḥel hill prior to the First Building Phase

    (Prepared by Nirit Kedem)

    Lipschitz et al (2011)
    of the Ramat Raḥel hill prior to the First Building Phase from Lipschitz et al (2011)

Aerial Views

  • Ramat Rachel in Google Earth
    Ramat Rachel
    click on image to explore this site on a new tab in Google Earth
  • Ramat Rachel on govmap.gov.il
    Ramat Rachel on govmap.gov.il

    click on image to explore this site on a new tab in govmap.gov.il
  • Annotated Aerial View of
    Annotated Aerial View of Ramat Rachel and surroundings

    Used with permission from Biblewalks.com
    Ramat Rachel and surroundings from Biblewalks.com
  • Aerial View of Ramat Rachel
    Aerial View of Ramat Rachel

    Click on Image for high resolution magnifiable image

    Used with permission from Biblewalks.com
    from Biblewalks.com

Plans

Aharoni's Excavations

Normal Size

  • Fig. 4 - Excavation areas of
    Figure 4

    The areas excavated by Aharoni from 1954 until 1962

    Illustration prepared by Benjamin Arubas and adapted by Ido Koch

    Lipschitz et al (2011)
    Aharoni (1954-1962) from Lipschitz et al (2011)
  • Fig. 3.1 - The grid laid
    Figure 3.1

    The grid laid by Aharoni in 1954

    Aharoni (1962 - 1964)
    by Aharoni in 1954 from Aharoni (1962 - 1964)
  • Fig. 3.2 - Aharoni’s excavations
    Figure 3.2

    Aharoni’s excavations by season, as suggested by Gadot

    Aharoni (1962 - 1964)
    by season, as suggested by Gadot from Aharoni (1962 - 1964)

Magnified

  • Fig. 4 - Excavation areas of
    Figure 4

    The areas excavated by Aharoni from 1954 until 1962

    Illustration prepared by Benjamin Arubas and adapted by Ido Koch

    Lipschitz et al (2011)
    Aharoni (1954-1962) from Lipschitz et al (2011)
  • Fig. 3.1 - The grid laid
    Figure 3.1

    The grid laid by Aharoni in 1954

    Aharoni (1962 - 1964)
    by Aharoni in 1954 from Aharoni (1962 - 1964)
  • Fig. 3.2 - Aharoni’s excavations
    Figure 3.2

    Aharoni’s excavations by season, as suggested by Gadot

    Aharoni (1962 - 1964)
    by season, as suggested by Gadot from Aharoni (1962 - 1964)

Renewed Excavations

Normal Size

  • Fig. 8 - Excavation areas of
    Figure 8

    Excavation areas of the Renewed Expedition to Ramat Rahel. Photo by Sky-View, adapted by Ido Koch

    Lipschitz et al (2011)
    the Renewed Expedition to Ramat Rahel from Lipschitz et al (2011)
  • Fig. 10 - Plan of the
    Figure 10

    The plan of the Ramat Raḥel edifice in Building Phases 1–3

    (Prepared by Benjamin Arubas)

    Lipschitz et al (2011)
    Ramat Rahel edifice in Building Phases 1–3 from Lipschitz et al (2011)
  • Fig. 6 - Plan of the
    Figure 6

    plan of Roman and Byzantine buildings

    Soennecken (2006)
    Roman and Byzantine buildings from Soennecken (2006)
  • Fig. 7 - Plan of the
    Figure 7

    plan of the church and adjoining rooms

    Soennecken (2006)
    church and adjoining room from Soennecken (2006)

Magnified

  • Fig. 8 - Excavation areas of
    Figure 8

    Excavation areas of the Renewed Expedition to Ramat Rahel. Photo by Sky-View, adapted by Ido Koch

    Lipschitz et al (2011)
    the Renewed Expedition to Ramat Rahel from Lipschitz et al (2011)
  • Fig. 10 - Plan of the
    Figure 10

    The plan of the Ramat Raḥel edifice in Building Phases 1–3

    (Prepared by Benjamin Arubas)

    Lipschitz et al (2011)
    Ramat Rahel edifice in Building Phases 1–3 from Lipschitz et al (2011)
  • Fig. 6 - Plan of the
    Figure 6

    plan of Roman and Byzantine buildings

    Soennecken (2006)
    Roman and Byzantine buildings from Soennecken (2006)
  • Fig. 7 - Plan of the
    Figure 7

    plan of the church and adjoining rooms

    Soennecken (2006)
    church and adjoining room from Soennecken (2006)

Chronology
Stratigraphy

Lipshitz et al (2011)

Discussion

As at other hilly archaeological sites, differentiating between strata at Ramat Rahel has been quite difficult. The majority of remains were found at a depth of less than 1.5 m, most building materials were reused, and the lime furnaces of later periods caused the destruction and disappearance of many of the earlier remains. The generally accepted view, however, is that there are five main strata at the site

Comparative Table

Image

Stratigraphy of Ramat Rachel Stratigraphy of Ramat Rachel

Lipshitz et al (2011)


Text

Aharoni's
Stratum		 Period Start Date
(centuries)		 End Date
(centuries)		 Construction Phase
Vb Iron Age II end 8th or beginning 7th BCE 2nd half of 7th BCE Building Phase 1
Royal Administrative Center under Imperial hegemony
Va Iron Age II-
Persian		 2nd half of 7th BCE end of 4th BCE Building Phase 2
Royal Administrative Center under Imperial hegemony
Persian end 6th BCE or begin 5th BCE end of 4th BCE Building Phase 3
Expanding construction
Destruction and robbery of the walls
IVb Hellenistic 2nd BCE 2nd BCE Building Phase 4
Imperial Administrative Center ?
IVa end 2nd or begin 1st BCE 1st CE
The Great Revolt		 Building Phase 5
Village
Destruction ?
III Roman middle 2nd CE ? Uninterrupted continuation
to construction Phase 8		 Building Phase 6
Village
IIa Early Byzantine 5th CE Uninterrupted continuation
to construction Phase 8		 Building Phase 7
Village
IIb Late Byzantine-
Umayyad		 6th CE middle 9th CE Building Phase 8
Village; construction of the church
I Abbasid 9th CE 11th CE Building Phase 9
Farm with agricultural installations
Fatimid-
Ottoman		 12th CE 19th CE Agricultural Zone with installations
1947/1948,1954 CE 1967 CE Military fortifications and communication trenches

Stern et al (1993 v. 4)

Stratigraphy of Ramat Rachel Stratigraphy of Ramat Rachel

Stern et al (1993 v. 4)


Phase 8 Earthquake - 8th century CE

Lipschitz et al (2011) found potential evidence of mid 8th century seismic destruction as described below:

In the eighth century C.E., under Umayyad rule, there is clear evidence of collapse and conflagration in diverse areas of the site: the northern wall of the church collapsed, there are significant signs of various parts of Byzantine buildings giving way, and Aharoni notes indications of burning on the mosaic floor of the church. This destruction scene hints at the sudden end of the settlement, a destruction from which it never seems to have recovered - at least not as a Christian settlement. It is possible that this termination was the result of an earthquake that took place on 18 January 749 C.E.

Phase 9 Collapse - 8th-11th century CE

In The Tel Aviv - Heidelberg Joint Project - The 2006 and 2007 seasons at Ramat Rahel mention is made of a 10th-11th century collapse in Area D1

A massive stone collapse had covered the floors of the different architectural units. The many broken pottery vessels date the collapse of the building to the Abbasid period [8th-10th centuries CE] or to the beginning of the Fatimid period (10th–11th century CE)

Seismic Effects
Phase 8 Earthquake - 8th century CE

Effect Location Image(s) Description
Collapsed Walls and Fire diverse areas of the site
Figure 6

plan of Roman and Byzantine buildings

Soennecken (2006)
collapse and conflagration in diverse areas of the site - Lipschitz et al (2011)
Collapsed Walls various parts of Byzantine buildings
Figure 6

plan of Roman and Byzantine buildings

Soennecken (2006)
there are significant signs of various parts of Byzantine buildings giving way - Lipschitz et al (2011)
Collapsed Walls northern wall of the church
Figure 6

plan of Roman and Byzantine buildings

Soennecken (2006)
Figure 7

plan of the church and adjoining rooms

Soennecken (2006)
the northern wall of the church collapsed - Lipschitz et al (2011)
Fire mosaic floor of the church
Figure 6

plan of Roman and Byzantine buildings

Soennecken (2006)
Figure 7

plan of the church and adjoining rooms

Soennecken (2006)
Aharoni notes indications of burning on the mosaic floor of the church - Lipschitz et al (2011)

Phase 9 Collapse - 8th-11th century CE

Effect Location Image(s) Description
Collapsed Walls and Stone Tumble Area D1
Figure 8

Excavation areas of the Renewed Expedition to Ramat Rahel. Photo by Sky-View, adapted by Ido Koch

Lipschitz et al (2011)
A massive stone collapse had covered the floors of the different architectural units - The Tel Aviv - Heidelberg Joint Project - The 2006 and 2007 seasons at Ramat Rahel
Broken Pottery Area D1
Figure 8

Excavation areas of the Renewed Expedition to Ramat Rahel. Photo by Sky-View, adapted by Ido Koch

Lipschitz et al (2011)
many broken pottery vessels - The Tel Aviv - Heidelberg Joint Project - The 2006 and 2007 seasons at Ramat Rahel

Deformation Maps
Phase 8 Earthquake - 8th century CE

Deformation Map

modified by JW from Fig. 6 of Soennecken (2006)

Intensity Estimates
Phase 8 Earthquake - 8th century CE

Effect Location Image(s) Description Intensity
Collapsed Walls and Fire diverse areas of the site
Figure 6

plan of Roman and Byzantine buildings

Soennecken (2006)
collapse and conflagration in diverse areas of the site - Lipschitz et al (2011) VIII +
Collapsed Walls various parts of Byzantine buildings
Figure 6

plan of Roman and Byzantine buildings

Soennecken (2006)
there are significant signs of various parts of Byzantine buildings giving way - Lipschitz et al (2011) VIII +
Collapsed Walls northern wall of the church
Figure 6

plan of Roman and Byzantine buildings

Soennecken (2006)
Figure 7

plan of the church and adjoining rooms

Soennecken (2006)
the northern wall of the church collapsed - Lipschitz et al (2011) VIII +
The archeoseismic evidence requires a minimum Intensity of VIII (8) when using the Earthquake Archeological Effects chart of Rodríguez-Pascua et al (2013: 221-224).

Phase 9 Collapse - 8th-11th century CE

Effect Location Image(s) Description Intensity
Collapsed Walls and Stone Tumble Area D1
Figure 8

Excavation areas of the Renewed Expedition to Ramat Rahel. Photo by Sky-View, adapted by Ido Koch

Lipschitz et al (2011)
A massive stone collapse had covered the floors of the different architectural units - The Tel Aviv - Heidelberg Joint Project - The 2006 and 2007 seasons at Ramat Rahel VIII +
Broken Pottery Area D1
Figure 8

Excavation areas of the Renewed Expedition to Ramat Rahel. Photo by Sky-View, adapted by Ido Koch

Lipschitz et al (2011)
many broken pottery vessels - The Tel Aviv - Heidelberg Joint Project - The 2006 and 2007 seasons at Ramat Rahel VII +
The archeoseismic evidence requires a minimum Intensity of VIII (8) when using the Earthquake Archeological Effects chart of Rodríguez-Pascua et al (2013: 221-224).

Notes and Further Reading
References

Articles and Books

AHARONI, Y. (1956). Excavations at Ramath Raḥel, 1954: Preliminary Report. Israel Exploration Journal, 6(2), 102–111.

AHARONI, Y. (1956). Excavations at Ramath Raḥel, 1954: Preliminary Report. Israel Exploration Journal, 6(3), 137–157.

Aharoni, Y., et al. (1964). Excavations at Ramat Rahel, seasons 1961 and 1962. Roma, Centro die studi semitici.

A short guide to the excavations at Ramal Rahel (1955) - can be borrowed with a free account from archive.org

Lipschits, Oded, Manfred Oeming, Yuval Gadot, Benjamin Arubas and Gilad Cinamon 2006 Ramat Rahel – 2005 Hadashot Arkheologiyot Volume 118 Year 2006

Lipschits, Oded, M. Oeming, Y. Gadot, B. Arubas and G. Cinamon 2006 Ramat Rahal 2005. Israel Exploration Journal 56: 227–235.

Lipschits, Oded, M. Oeming, Y. Gadot and B. Arubas 2009 The 2006 and 2007 Excavation Seasons in Ramat Rahel. Israel Exploration Journal 59: 1-20

Lipschits, Oded,, et al. (2011). "PALACE AND VILLAGE, PARADISE AND OBLIVION: Unraveling the Riddles of Ramat Rahel." Near Eastern Archaeology 74(1): 1-49.

Reich, Ronny. "Palaces and Residencies in the Iron Age." In The Architecture of Ancient Israel: From the Prehistoric to the Persian Periods, edited by Aharon Kempinski and Ronny Reich, pp. 202-222. Jerusalem, 1992.

Shiloh, Yigal. The Proto-Aeolic Capital and Israelite Ashlar Masonry. Qedem, vol. 11. Jerusalem, 1979. - can be borrowed with a free account from archive.org

Geva, Shulamit (1981). The Painted Sherd of Ramat Raḥel. Israel Exploration Journal, 31(3/4), 186–189.

Soennecken, Katja 2006, Ramat Rachel in the Byzantine Period (Masters Thesis)

Stern, Ephraim. Material Culture of the Land of the Bible in the Persian Period, 338-332 B.C. Warminster, 1982.

Stern, Ephraim. "The Phoenician Architectural Elements in Palestine during the Late Iron Age and Persian Period." In The Architecture of Ancient Israel: From the Prehistoric to the Persian Periods, edited by Aharon Kempinski and Ronny Reich, pp. 302-309. Jerusalem, 1992.

Sulimani, G. and Barzel, V. (2008) Ramat Rahel Hadashot Arkheologiyot v. 120

Yadin, Yigael. "The 'House of Ba'al of Ahab and Jezebel in Samaria, and That of Athalia in Judah. " In Archaeology in the Levant: Essays for Kathleen Kenyan, edited by P. R. S. Moorey and Peter J. Parr, p p . 127-135. Warminster, 1978.

Excavation Reports

Aharoni, Yohanan. Excavations at Ramat Rahel. 2 vols. Rome , 1962 - 1964.

Lipschitz, O., Gadot, Y., Freud, L., Aharoni, Y. (2016). Ramat-Raḥel III: Final Publication of Yohanan Aharoni's Excavations (1954, 1959-1962).  Israel: Emery and Claire Yass Publications in Archaeology, Tel Aviv University.

Lipschits, O., et al. (2020). Ramat Raḥel IV The Renewed Excavations by the Tel Aviv–Heidelberg Expedition (2005–2010): Stratigraphy and Architecture, Penn State University Press.

Lipschits, O., Freud, L., Oeming, M., Gadot, Y. (2021). Ramat Raḥel VI: The Renewed Excavations by the Tel Aviv-Heidelberg Expedition (2005-2010) : the Babylonian-Persian Pit.  United States: Pennsylvania State University Press.

Websites

Ramat Rahel Archeological Project

Ramat Rahel Archeological Project - Archeology of the site

Ramat Rahel Archeological Project - Bibliography

Ramat Rahel Archeological Project - The 2006 and 2007 seasons at Ramat Rahel Page for Oded Lipschitz at Tel Aviv University

Ramat Rachel at biblewalks.com

Bibliography from the Ramat Rahel Archaeological Project


Mazar and Stekelis's Excavations
M. Cohen
1957 On Stone Capitals from Ramat Rahel. Yediot 13: 83-86 (Hebrew).

B. Meisler (Mazar)
1935 Ramat Rahel and Kh. Sallah. Qovetz Ha'Hevrah 3: 4-18 (Hebrew).

M. Stekelis
1935 Jewish Burial Caves at Ramat Rahel. Qovetz Ha'Hevrah 3: 19-40 (Hebrew).

Publications of Aharoni's Excavations
Y. Aharoni
1954     Excavations at Ramat Rahel. Yediot 19: 147-174 (Hebrew)
1955     A Note on the Excavations at Ramat Rahel. Yediot 20: 44-47 (Hebrew)
1956     Excavations at Ramat Rahel, 1954: Preliminary Report. IEJ 6: 102–111, 135–137.
1959     The Second Season of Excavations at Ramat Rahel. Yediot 24: 73-119 (Hebrew)
1959     Ramat Rahel. IEJ 9: 272–274.
1960     Ramat Rahel. IEJ 10: 261–262.
1960     Ramat Rahel. RB 67: 398–400.
1961     Ramat Rahel. IEJ 11: 193–195.
1961     Excavations at Ramat Rahel. BA 24: 98–118.
1961     BTS 37: 4–10.
1961     Hebrew Stamp Impressions from Ramat Rahel. EI 6: 56-60 (Hebrew)
1962     Ramat Rahel. RB 69: 401–404.
1963     Ramat Rahel. RB 70: 572–574.
1965     The Citadel of Ramat Rahel. Archaeology 18: 15–25.
1967     Beth Haccherem. In: D.W. Thomas (ed.) Archaeology and Old Testament Study.
              Oxford: 171–185.
1967     The Citadel of Ramat Rahel. In: J.P. Pritchard (ed.) Archaeological Discoveries
              in the Holy Land. New York: 77–88.
1967     The Land of the Bible: A Historical Geography (trans. A.F. Rainey). Philadelphia.
1974      Archaeology. Jerusalem: 179–182.
1992     Ramat Rahel. In: E. Stern (ed.). NEAEHL. Vol. 4. Jerusalem: 1479-1484 (Hebrew).

Y. Aharoni et al.
1962      Excavations at Ramat Rahel 1, Seasons 1959 and 1960. Roma.
1964      Excavations at Ramat Rahel 2, Seasons 1961 and 1962. Roma.

L. Kadman
1955      Notes to the Ramat Rahel Excavations Article. Yediot 20: 47-48 (Hebrew).
1973      Hadashot Arkheologiot 4: 6-7.
1973      Hadashot Arkheologiot 5: 2-5.


Publications about Aharoni's Excavations
S. Ben-Horin
1955      Yediot 20: 48-51.

F.M. Cross Jr.
1969      Judean Stamps. EI 9: 20–27.

S. Geva
1981      The Painted Shred of Ramat Rahel. IEJ 31: 186–189.

A. Lemaire
1977     Inscription Hebraiques Tome I Les Ostraca. Paris: 258–259.

N. Na'aman
2001     An Assyrian Residence at Ramat Rahel? Tel Aviv 28: 260–281.

R. Reich
2003      On Assyrian Presence at Ramat Rahel. Tel Aviv 30: 124–130.

Y. Shiloh
1976      New Proto-Aeolic Capitals Found in Israel. BASOR 222: 67–77.

E. Stern
1971      Seal-Impressions in the Achaemenid Style in the Province of Judah. BASOR 202:
               15–25.

Y. Yadin
1973      City of the House of the Ba'al. Eretz Shomron. Jerusalem: 52-66 (Hebrew).

Publications of the Tel-Aviv - Heidelberg Project
O. Lipschits
2008      Ein Privatsiegelabdruck aus Ramat Rahel. in: Kottsieper, I., Schmitt, R., and
               Wörle, J. (eds.). Berührungspunkte. Studien zur Sozial- und Religionsgeschichte
               Israels und seiner Umwelt. Festschrift für Rainer Albertz zu seinem 65.
               Geburtstag (AOAT 350). Münster: 491-498
2009      The Time and Origin of the Volute-Capitals from Judah, Moab and Ammon.
               Cathedra (Hebrew).
in press RAMAT-RACHEL. The New Encyclopedia Judaica.
in press RAMAT-RAHEL. The New Interpreters Dictionary of the Bible.

O. Lipschits and Y. Gadot
2008      Ramat Rachel and the Emeq Rephaim sites - Links and interpretations. in: Amit,
               D. and Stiebel, G.D. (eds.). New Studies in the Archaeology of Jerusalem and its
               Religion, Collected Papers, vol. II. Jerusalem: 88-96.
 forthcoming Further Thoughts on Ramat Rahel and its surroundings at the End of the Iron
               Age and during the Persian Period. Tel-Aviv


O. Lipschits and M. Oeming
2006      Palast der Könige Judas und eines der ältesten Marienheiligtümer der Welt.
               Welt und Umwelt der Bibel: 64-65.

O. Lipschits, M. Oeming and Y. Gadot
forthcoming    Tieferes Verstehen Die Epistemologie der Archäologie am Beispiel der
                         Ausgrabung von Ramat Rahel (Jerusalem) reflektiert. Trumah.

O. Lipschits, M. Oeming, Y. Gadot, B. Arubas and G. Cinamon
2006      Ramat Rahal 2005. Israel Exploaration Journal 56: 227–235.
2006      Ramat Rahel 2005. Hadashot Arkheologiyot 118 (Internet edition).
        http://www.hadashot-esi.org.il/report_detail.asp?id=420&mag_id=111 (Hebrew)
        http://www.hadashot-esi.org.il/report_detail_eng.asp?id=420&mag_id=111 (English)

O. Lipschits, M. Oeming, Y. Gadot and B. Arubas
2009      The 2006 and 2007 Excavation Seasons in Ramat Rahel. Israel Exploration
               Journal 59: 1-20 (download PDF format)

O. Lipschits, M. Oeming, Y. Gadot and D.S. Vanderhoof
2007      Four New Yehud Stamp Impressions Found in the Renewed Excavations at
               Ramat Rahel. Tel-Aviv 34 (1): 74–89.
2009      24 New Yehud Stamp Impressions from the 2007 Excavation Season at Ramat-
               Rahel. Maarav 15: 7-25, 97-100

O. Lipschits and D.S. Vanderhoof
forthcoming    40 Unpublished Stamp Impressions from Aharoni's Excavations at Ramat
                         Rahel. Eretz Israel (Ephraim Stern's volume). (Hebrew).

O. Lipschits, O.Sergi and I. Koch
forthcoming   The Date of the lmlk and 'Private' Stamp Impressions: A Fresh Look.
                        Tel Aviv.



Varia
A.M. Scheneider
1934 Die Kaismakirche auf Chirbet Abu Brek. JPOS 14: 230 ff.

R. Von Reiss
1889 ZDPV 12: 19–23 ff


.

Bibliography from Stern et. al. (1994 v. 4)

Main publication

Y. Aharoni et al., Excavations at RamaJ Rahe/1: Seasons 1959 and 1960, Rome 1962; id., Excavations at Ramat Rahel 2: Seasons 1961 and 1962, Rome 1964.

Other studies

R. Von Riess, ZDPV 12 (1889), 19ff.

A.S. Schneider, JPOS 14 (1934), 230ff.

Y. Aharoni, IEJ 6 (1956), 102-111, 137-155

9 (1959), 272-274

10 (1960), 261-262

II (1961), 193-195

id., RB 67 (1960), 398-400

69 (1962), 401-404

70 (1963), 572-574;id.,BA 24(1961), 98-118

id., BTS37 (1961),4- 10

id., Archaeology 18 (1965), 15-25

id., Archaeological Discoveries in the Holy Land, New York 1967, 77-88

id., Archaeology and Old Testament Study (ed. D. W. Thomas), Oxford 1967, 171-184

id., Archaeology (Israel Pocket Library), Jerusalem 1974, 179-182

L. Y. Rahmani and U. Ben-Horin, IEJ 6 (1956), 155-157

A. F. Rainey, The Biblical World(ed. C. F. Pfeiffer), Grand Rapids 1966, 473-477

F. M. Cross, Jr., E/9 (1969), 20*-27*

E. Stem, BASOR 202 (1971), 6-16

Y. Shiloh, ibid. 222 (1976), 67-77; A. Lemaire, Inscriptions Hebrai'ques 1, Les Ostraca, Paris 1977, 257-258

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E. Lipinski, Transeuphratene I (1989), 107-109

Bibliography from Stern et. al. (2008)

S. Geva, Zmanim 42 (1992), 93–102

J. R. Zorn, IEJ 44 (1994), 161–183

W. Zwickel, Der Tempelkult in Kanaan und Israel (Forschungen zum Alten Testament 10), Tübingen 1994, 245–246

J. P. Dessel, OEANE, 4, New York 1997, 402–404

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7 (2005), 56–62

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ed. G. C. M. Jansen), Leiden 2000, 159–162

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R. Reich, ibid. 30 (2003), 124–129

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Notes

551 CE Earthquake

Ambraseys (2009) states:

Russell also argues that Pella and Ramat Rahel were damaged in this event [551 CE Beirut Quake]. Pella is 100 km southeast of Tyre, but Ramat Rahel is just south of Jerusalem, thus it is impossible that this earthquake damaged the latter. Ambraseys et al. (1994, 24-25) wrongly place the epicentral region of this event in the Jordan Rift Valley. This was due to the bias of information from the debatable archaeological evidence in Russell (1985).

Jordan Valley Earthquakes (659/660 CE)

A short guide to the excavations at Ramal Rahel (1955:5) states

the place was completely destroyed at the beginning of the Arab period and has remained uninhabited ever since
Although this is based on Aharoni's early conclusions some of which have been shown to be incorrect, this reference remains here due to the possibility that the site received damage from the Jordan Valley Quakes of ~659 CE.

Wikipedia pages

Wikipedia page for Ramat Rachel



Wikipedia page for Rachel's Tomb