This page was translated from Hebrew and has not been reviewed yet. The Hebrew page is the reference. עברית

Beit Arif Caves 7-8, Western Samaria

Description of the cave:

Beit Arif Caves 7 and 8 are a pair of small caves that developed by phreatic dissolution processes in limestone of Turonian age (Bi'ina Fm.). The cave openings were exposed at the bottom of a low cliff, in the middle of a gentle slope, south of the channel of Nahal Beit Arif.

Beit Arif Cave 7:

Cave 7 consists of a small elliptical room that developed on the eastern side of the cliff. The dimensions of the cave space are 2X3 m and its height 1.5 m. In the south-eastern corner of the space there is a low, narrow passage extending south about 1 m. The cave floor is horizontal and covered with loose soil; its ceiling is rounded and bears soot marks. The cave opening gapes on the northern side of the room; it measures 1.2X1.5 m, is rounded, and is visible from afar. On the outer side of the opening, in front of the cave, there is a natural terrace on which a few worn potsherds are scattered. Similar sherds, very few, are also scattered in the cave space.

Beit Arif Cave 8:

Cave 8 developed on the western side of the cliff, about 15 m west of cave 7. The cave consists of a single space that looks like an elongated room measuring 5X2 m and about 1.1 m high. At the inner end of the room there is a low, narrow passage extending about 1.5 m south. The cave floor is horizontal and covered with dry terra rossa soil. The cave opening gapes on the northern side of the space. The opening measures 0.8X1 m, is vaulted, and is completely concealed. On the outer side of the opening, in front of the cave, there is a natural terrace on which a few worn potsherds are scattered. Similar sherds, and a few flint items, are also scattered in the cave space.

Access:

The cave openings can be reached on foot from the road leading to the settlement of Ofarim.
Cave ticks are present in the pair of caves.
No bats were observed in the caves.

Written by: Boaz Langford

To the Nahal Beit Arif survey

Cave name: Beit Arif Cave

Grid ref.: 15332/15613

Location: Nahal Beit Arif, near the settlement of Ofarim

Elevation: 300 m above sea level