Ancient tunnels that helped Jewish rebels evade the Romans now open for tourists

An archaeological complex at Horbat Burgin, featuring underground hiding tunnels used by Jewish rebels during the Roman period and a Byzantine-era church with mosaics, has opened to the public for the first time. About 200 meters of tunnels are accessible. The site was excavated by the Israel Antiquities Authority and KKL-JNF.

An archaeological complex at Horbat Burgin, featuring underground hiding tunnels used by Jewish rebels during the Roman period and a Byzantine-era church with colorful mosaic floors, has opened to the public for the first time. The site, located within Adullam–France Park south of Beit Shemesh, was excavated by the Israel Antiquities Authority and KKL-JNF. Archaeologist Amir Ganor, who led the excavations, said the tunnels were hewn into soft bedrock and connected during the Bar Kochba rebellion to allow inhabitants to hide and flee from the Roman army. About 200 meters of tunnels are now accessible to visitors. The site also includes burial complexes, columbaria for pigeon breeding, and winepresses, indicating an economy based on agriculture and pigeon breeding. The area was inhabited through the Islamic, Crusader, Mamluk, and Ottoman periods until it was abandoned in the 18th century. The article notes that the site suffered from looting until excavations began in 1995.