Khirbet Salameh

What is it about?

Overlooking a fertile valley, Khirbet Salameh was an agricultural settlement founded in the 3rd century BC, during the Hellenistic period. The current building is a unique example of rural architecture dating to the Roman period, from the 2nd to the 4th centuries AD. It has been fully documented and its elements revealed. In front of you is a fortified square building built of limestone, measuring 24 by 24 meters. The main gate faces east, where the water and fertile agricultural lands are. The area was full of water springs. The nearby spring known as Ain al-Bayda bears witness to this even today. The abundance of water contributed to the flourishing cultivation of olives, grapes, and seasonal grains. The builder tried to take advantage of the topography of the land as he constructed two different levels to overcome the slope of the ground. He distributed 14 rooms around the inner courtyard and used arches to support the ceilings in some rooms. The functions of the rooms varied. Some were used as living space for people, and others were used for storage, such as for wheat and barley. The inner courtyard, where animals were kept, served as a center for daily activities. There were also several wells inside the building, giving the inhabitants convenient access to water.