Ketef Hinnom is an archaeological site outside the Old City of Jerusalem. Dozens of burial chambers carved out of rock from around the 7th century BC were discovered. In one of the tombs two silver scrolls with the written Priesthood Blessing from the Book of Numbers were found.
Excavations at Ketef Hinnom have been conducted since the 1960s. In 1979, in chamber number 25, Professor Gabriel Barkay discovered two small scrolls that are dated around 600 BC. They probably served as amulets.
Currently, some chambers are open to the public. Two of them were reconstructed. Over 20 people could be buried in each grave cave. The bodies were placed in niches and on shelves carved in rock. Many of the caves were still used in Ottoman times, and the remains from earlier burials were collected in one chamber.
Attractions inside
