Susiya Complete
Localization
Site plan
Description
Located in the South Hebron Mountains, Khirbet Susaya is a modest settlement site. Although noted by researchers already in the nineteenth century, the most extensive investigations were undertaken in 1984–1985 for the Institute of Archaeology of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem under the direction of A. Negev. These campaigns exposed the remains of a tower, associated fortifications, and a synagogue. Adjacent to the synagogue, two caves were documented: the Menorah Cave and the Wine–Cellar Cave. The former may have functioned as a treasury for the synagogue, while the latter served for wine storage. Further reading: Negev, A. 1993. “Susiya.” The New Encyclopedia of Archaeological Excavations in the Holy Land, 1417–1421.