Everything about The Shephelah totally explained
The
Shephelah ("lowland"; also שפלת יהודה,
Shephelat Yehuda, "Judean lowland") is a designation usually applied to the region in south-central
Israel of 10-15 km of low hills between the central
Mount Hebron and the coastal plains of
Philistia within the area of the
Judea, at an altitude of 120-450 metres
above sea level. The area is fertile, and a temperate
Mediterranean climate prevails there. Shephelah was one of the regions allotted to the biblical
Tribe of Judah.
Geology
One of the major characteristics of the area are that its hills are formed of
marl-covered soft
chalk, as opposed to the
Judean Hills which are made of hard chalk and
dolomite. The valleys and lower areas contain soil with a high sand content, as well as large tracts of fertile areas. Seasonal
swamps can develop during the
rainy season. The southern part is made up of
loess, while north of
Ashkelon consists of
clay.
Ancient settlement
Prominent cities developed in the ancient era in each of the Shephelah valleys, which appear several times in the
Hebrew Bible.
Ajalon, the northernmost valley, was guarded by
Gezer. The
Valley of Sorek and the
Valley of Elah were guarded by
Timnah,
Beth Shemesh and
Azekah, respectively. And to the south, the city of
Lachish stood over the
Lachish Valley, and later the ancient city of
Maresha. These strategic cities were the location of many battles, and were especially active during the
Bar Kokhba revolt, when many hollowed out hills were connected to form elaborate bunker systems for the combat with the Romans.
Modern significance
The Shephelah today is a largely rural area with many villages engaging in agriculture. The eastern hills are formed of
calcareous, and are often the site of small settlement.
Further Information
Get more info on 'Shephelah'.
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