Adullam Grove Nature Reserve

Adullam Grove Nature Reserve (Hebrew: שמורת טבע חורש עדולם) is a nature reserve in central Israel, south of Beit Shemesh, managed by the Israel Nature and National Parks Protection Authority.

Adullam Grove Nature Reserve
שמורת טבע חורש עדולם
Location	Central Israel
Nearest city	Beit Shemesh
Coordinates	31.6522848°N 34.95609°E / 31.6522848; 34.95609
Area	6,532 dunams (6.532 km2; 2.522 sq mi)
Established	1994

The park is full with archaeological sites, including a number of ruins of rural villages with findings from the late Second Temple period and the Jewish–Roman wars, Byzantine-period Christian churches, as well as remains from earlier and later times.

Nature reserve

Ruins of Byzantine church, Khirbet Midras, 2010

The reserve was established in 1994, covering 5,380 dunams (5.38 km²; 2.08 sq mi) and was extended to include another 1,152 dunams (1.152 km²; 0.445 sq mi) in 2004.^[1] The reserve was declared in order to protect Mediterranean forests, woodlands, and scrub that grow naturally in the area.

Colombarium at Hurvat Midras

Archaeology

Further information: Horvat 'Ethri and Hurvat Burgin

Horvat Midras^[2] (Hebrew) or Khirbet Midras (Arabic), sometimes spelled Madras, dated to the 10th century BCE until approximately the 4th century CE, is located within the boundaries of the reserve.^[3] Burial caves, hiding tunnels and caves used during the Bar Kokhba revolt in 132-135 CE, a columbarium, and a burial pyramid were discovered at the site.^[4]

Horvat 'Ethri - remains of a partially restored Jewish village from the Second Temple period and the Bar Kokhba revolt,^[5] containing mikvehs, a synagogue, wine presses, and burial caves.

Hurvat Borgyn - remains of a 2nd-century CE settlement, including fortifications, wells, burial caves, a wine press, and other agriculture oriented finds.

Hurvat Lavnin (Kh. Tell el-Beida) - remains of an ancient settlement, Potsherds and coins discovered indicate that it was inhabited from the Iron Age through the early Roman period, the Bar Kokhba revolt and the Byzantine period. The site features four hiding complexes typical of early Roman period Judaea, as well as burial caves dating from the Late Bronze and Iron Ages.^[6]

Flora and fauna

Flora include Buckthorn trees (Rhamnus palaestinus), Oak trees, Greek Strawberry trees, Pistacia lentiscus trees, and various types of Cistus and Hyssop.^[7]

See also

General landscape of the Adullam-France Park in Israel

The entrance to a dovecote (columbarium) in the Midras Ruin

• Adullam
• Cave of Adullam