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

Nahal Lotz Cave, Nahal Lotz, Negev

Grid ref.: 109220/986896
Location: Western Negev
Elevation: 854 m above sea level

Description of the Cave:

Nahal Lotz Cave is a small cave composed mainly of a large chamber that developed by phreatic dissolution processes in Lower Eocene limestone (Nitzana Fm. - according to the Geological Survey map). The cave has a huge entrance exposed, at the bottom of a cliff, on the eastern bank of a deep channel draining into Nahal Lotz from the north. The entrance measures 10.5X4 m and is vaulted in shape. The cave entrance opens on the western side of a rounded, lit chamber measuring 10X10 m and whose height reaches 6 m. The chamber floor is horizontal and covered with soil, a few stones and organic matter. A few flint items are scattered on the chamber floor, and during a visit to the place in March 2011 a single shell was found (not collected). The chamber ceiling is rounded and built as a wide dome. On the eastern side of the chamber ceiling a wide chimney opens, extending from the ceiling surface to the surface above the cliff in which the cave developed. At the top of the chimney there is a narrow horizontal passage extending about 6 meters west.

Notes:

The cave can be reached on foot from Har Harif or from the wide bed of Nahal Lotz.
No bats were seen in the cave.
On the cave wall, on its eastern side, two words are carved: "Latvia - Riga". The words are carved in Cyrillic script and were apparently carved by an expedition of researchers from that country who dug biological material in the cave for research purposes. The remains of the excavation are clearly visible beneath the chimney in the cave ceiling.

Written by: Boaz Langford