Historic site
Khirbet el-Maqatir
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Khirbet el-Maqatir is an archaeological site in the West Bank, identified by some scholars as the biblical city of Ai, conquered by Joshua according to the Book of Joshua. Excavations have revealed a Canaanite fortress, a later Israelite settlement, and a Byzantine monastery. Visitors can see the stone foundations, a gate complex, and a small museum with finds. The site is distinctive for its dramatic setting on a hilltop and its potential connection to one of the Bible's most famous battles.
Don't miss
- Walk through the Canaanite gate and fortification system
- See the Byzantine monastery ruins with mosaic floors
- Visit the on-site museum displaying pottery and coins
Tickets & tours
Ways to visit Khirbet el-Maqatir
You can usually visit on your own. A tour is worth it for transport, a guide, or combining nearby sights into one day.
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