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The masseboth at Ma ’ ale Shaharut: (a and b) before excavations, (c) reconstructed after excavation, from north, (d) reconstructed after excavation, aerial perspective. 

The masseboth at Ma ’ ale Shaharut: (a and b) before excavations, (c) reconstructed after excavation, from north, (d) reconstructed after excavation, aerial perspective. 

Contexts in source publication

Context 1
... a cliff-edge above the 'Araba Valley, next to a seasonal water reservoir and two tem- porary ancient dwelling sites. When discovered, an oval of various sized elongated stones was visible on the surface; five stones were standing upright or tilted while others were fallen. Two fallen stones on the western side were notably larger than the rest ( Fig. 3a and b). In appearance, the site was very different from common remains of circular habitation structures in the area, which usually have continuous walls with several adjacent rooms/ units each approx. 2-4 m ...
Context 2
... the debris, in situ, and still vertically set. Following the dig, the fallen masseboth were gradually raised, based on the position of each stone, their shape, patination and order of falling. Although total accuracy in resetting the stones could not be guaranteed, the outcome was clear: 61 masseboth set in tiers, forming an oval arrangement ( Fig. 3c and d). The largest two are noticeable on the western side, facing E-NE, while the other 59, with varying heights, relate to the larger pair. Like many masseboth in the desert, all are of natural stones, un-hewn, se- lected according to their size, shape and proportions. Inside the oval, a stone basin was found lying upside down and covered ...
Context 3
... the larger pair. Like many masseboth in the desert, all are of natural stones, un-hewn, se- lected according to their size, shape and proportions. Inside the oval, a stone basin was found lying upside down and covered by a pile of small stones. It was an unworked stone, 30 mm across with a natural 18 mm depression created by chemical weathering (Fig. 3c, center). A hearth, 60 mm in diameter, was found next to the basin; it yielded a 14 C date of ca. 5670 785 BC (Rt684A, BP, 4610-4360 Cal BC;Avner et al., 1994), i.e., representing the Early Chalcolithic period (Gilead, ...