JNF opens ancient caves from era of Bar Kokhba revolt

An archaeological site that contains caves from the era of the Bar Kokhba revolt was opened to the public over the weekend as part of the Jewish National Fund's 115th anniversary.

The Khirbet Burgin site is part of the Adullam Grove Nature Reserve, south of Beit Shemesh. It was excavated as part of a joint project of the JNF, the Israel Antiquities Authority and the Mateh Yehuda Regional Council.

The excavation revealed an extensive grid of tunnels running under ancient buildings dating back to the Second Temple, Roman and Byzantine periods.

According to the JNF, settlement in the Judean plains during those periods took place both aboveground and below, with the underground levels originally used for shelter from the elements, as well as for digging for water and for storing food and water. Some underground passages were used as burial tunnels.

The tunnel grid was extended over the years during the growing number of attempts to revolt against the Roman Empire. It is during this time that some of the underground areas became the caves where famed Jewish leader Simon Bar Kokhba and his followers hid during the revolt he led in 132 C.E.

During the site's dedication on Friday, visitors were able to tour the tunnels and participate in Antiquities Authority workshops about ancient coins and early Hebrew writing.