Horvat Qitmit
Qitmit · Qasr Qitmit
Iron IIB–C (c.700–600 BCE)·Edomite (with Judean/ Arabian influence)·🇮🇱 Negev Desert, Beersheba–Arad valley, Israel
About
About Horvat Qitmit
Iron II Edomite open-air shrine (c.700–600 BCE) on a hilltop in the Negev, excavated by Itzhaq Beit-Arieh. Single-phase Edomite sanctuary with enclosure wall, three-room shrine, standing stones and dense cult assemblage: painted Qitmit ware figurines, chalices, altars and horse-and-rider statuettes.
Why it mattersKey Negev Desert, Beersheba–Arad valley sequence for Iron IIB–C (c.700–600 BCE); desert margin edomite sanctuary controlling beersheba–arabah road.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Chronology of Horvat Qitmit relative to neighbouring centres?
Theories
- 01Regional centre hypothesis for Negev Desert
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c.700 BCE
- Period
- Iron IIB–C (c.700–600 BCE)
- Culture
- Edomite (with Judean/ Arabian influence)
- Builders
- Edomite (with Judean/ Arabian influence) communities
- Purpose
- Desert margin Edomite sanctuary controlling Beersheba–Arabah road
- Abandoned
- c. 600 BCE
- Rediscovered
- 20th century survey
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
1960
Foundation/earliest horizon
1980
Major excavations
2020
Conservation/monitoring
On the ground
Structures & features
31.2300° N · 34.9800° E · 340 m · 2 mapped features
Three-room shrine
templeEnclosure with cella, broadroom and standing stones
31.2302° N · 34.9803° ECult assemblage
depositHoard of horse-rider figurines, chalices and altars
31.2298° N · 34.9797° E