In the early 20th century, British pilots flying over the Middle Eastern deserts identified strange forms spreading over hundreds of meters, sometimes even over a few kilometers. The shapes looked like two long walls that meet at angles and at the meeting point of each wall was a round-shaped trench.

To the pilots, the shapes resembled kites, hence the name given to them: “desert kites.” A few such “kites” are known of in the deserts of Jordan, Syria, Israel, and Sinai. Archaeologists have suggested a number of theories as to the uses of these constructs, most supposing that they were used for hunting purposes, others suggesting that they served as cattle pens.

An interdisciplinary research group, funded by National Geographic, completed an encompassing survey of all eleven “kites” of the Negev and Arava, which included archaeological digs in four “kites”, detailed documentation by means of state-of-the-art measuring instruments, aerial and ground photography, and dating by means of two independent radiometric methods. 

The extensive study, which examined all eleven traps scattered from Givat Barnea in the north of the desert region to Eilat in the south, also exposed the thinking processes that were invested in planning each trap. 

 Dr. Bar-Oz stated the findings clearly show that these “kites” were used as mass hunting apparatus, dating back no later than the third millennium BCE. “When standing in one of these kites, it is astounding to see how it fits into the landscape and how the wild animals’ migration routes would converge into the hidden kite, Only then can one grasp how much energy and strategic understanding were invested in its construction.

The height of the walls which sometimes reached over one meter, and their thickness testify that the apparatus were intended for hunting not only gentle animals, such as deer, but also larger hoofed animals like wild ass and rams.

The kites’ branches can reach over 200 meters in length. At the base of each kite, the branches converge and end in a chasm or large trench. On some of the kites, an elevated stage was erected, probably in order to heighten the leaping wall and perhaps to hide the trench that was dug beneath it.

According to the researchers, the hunting method involved directing the indigenous wild animals alongside the walled branches of the kite toward its tip and its trench, where hunters awaited them.

Dr. Nadel noted the traps were placed in locations where animal migration routes were concentrated into bottlenecks. There is no doubt that this reflects that the prehistoric inhabitants of the desert had a lot of knowledge: they knew the cattle migration routes very well and knew where to place each of the traps most efficiently,” “We were not taken by surprise by the technological ability; humans in that period were very similar to us in their capabilities… We are definitely talking about wide-scope construction in a region that is challenging for survival.

The research was headed by a University of Haifa team: zooarchaeologist Dr. Guy Bar-Oz, archaeologist Dr. Daniel Nadel, and landscape ecologist Dr. Dan Malkinson. Also participating in the project were researchers from the Arava Institute, the Geological Institute in Jerusalem, the Weizmann Institute in Rehovot, and Bar-Ilan University.

Photos pending

The cemetery consists of different-sized circular and rectangular burial structures, which, until now, were unknown on the coastal plain. The circular structures are 1.5–3.0 m in diameter, whereas the average rectangular structure is 1.5 x 3.0 m in size. The tombs, built of indigenous kurkar sandstone, were very well preserved, protected by a covering of sand dunes. Some of the tombs were covered by an in situ stone dome. Their entrances usually faced the north and were blocked with large stones, found in situ in some tombs. The structures contained many ossuaries (small coffins, 0.6 m long) made of the carefully polished indigenous kurkar, which were sometimes covered with a fitted stone slab-lid. The ossuaries were used for secondary burials, that is, they held the bones of the deceased that were gathered up sometime after the individual’s death.

Several different kinds of stone ossuaries were uncovered; some of the ossuaries and the burial items were made of clay. In most of the structures a standing stone (mazzeva) (often very large) was installed in the eastern wall, incorporated within the construction of the wall or set inside a special niche. All the mazzevot face east and are apparently related to some ritual practice because in a number of instances, funerary offerings, such as pottery vessels, were found near them. The phenomenon of mazzevot (rectangular or oval) is well documented in other sites of the period. More than fifty burial structures were found and the cemetery was probably very crowded.

Nevertheless, some planning is evidenced by the presence, between the tombs, of a courtyard which was paved with small kurkar stones and was preserved over large parts of the site. The precise boundaries of the cemetery, as well as the settlement that was inhabited by the interred have not yet been traced . Osteological remains were not found, probably due to the combination of climatic conditions and the site’s proximity to the sea. The artifacts include pottery vessels, flint tools characteristic of the period, beads and mazzevot of various types and sizes.

The importance of this discovery is the revelation of a different, unknown, burial practice of the Chalcolithic period, The known Chalcolithic cemeteries in the center of the country consist of natural or rock-cut caves that contain ossuaries together with an abundance of funerary offerings. In the frontier regions (Negev, Sinai and Transjordan) the deceased were usually interred in circular stone structures. Upon the completion of the excavation, which was financed by the Via Maris Company, a plan was initiated to transfer some of the structures that represent each type of burial to a location where they can be displayed to the public.

photo pending

The directors of the excavation on behalf of the Israel Antiquities Authority, reported that “the cemetery extends across more than two dunams, and based on the evidence at the site burials were conducted there for many generations, particularly in the Bronze Age, between the years 2200-2000 BCE and 1700-1600 BCE”. Together with the human bones that were found there were also animal bones consisting mostly of sheep and goats. All of the artifacts served as funerary offerings and the animals and food that the pottery vessels probably contained are referred to in archaeological literature as “food for the dead”.

A wealth of artifacts has been recovered from the cemetery including scarabs that were used as amulets; an imitation of Egyptian scarabs; metal objects, among them weapons and tools; jewelry and intact high quality pottery vessels that were meticulously manufactured. The importance of the excavation’s findings lies in the contribution they provide in increasing our knowledge about these periods in the rural region near Canaanite Jerusalem. All of Jerusalem’s agricultural hinterland c. 4,000 and c. 3,700 years ago was much greater than we have previously considered. (November 9, 2006)

Funerary offerings found at the site

The excavation area

The cache, which comprises eighty flint blades, eight arrowheads, three lumps of flint, two sickle blades and two bone implements, was apparently concealed in a pit that was dug in the floor of a building and dates to the Pre-pottery Neolithic Period B (9,000-8,700 YBP). The excavations are being carried out as part of the work initiated by the Israel National Roads Company and are being implemented by the Israel Antiquities Authority, prior to the construction of an interchange at the Movil Junction.

A preliminary examination of the cache has revealed that these tools were produced by expert flint knappers who lived at the site and were engaged in the industrial knapping of blades, some of which were intended for local consumption, but most were knapped with the aim of exchanging them for other goods. The knappers’ high degree of professionalism is evidenced by the technology which they employed – the blades were knapped utilizing a flint knapping technology referred to as naviform technology.

This technology was used to produce long, straight blades from lumps of flint that have two opposing striking platforms, while exploiting the flint bulbous in the most optimal manner. Dr. Hamoudi Khalaily, director of the excavation at the Yiftah’el site on behalf of the Israel Antiquities Authority, stated “the hoard from Yiftah’el is unique, both from the standpoint of its contents and the number of items in it. The discovery of a number of arrowheads in different stages of preparation among the hoard’s components reflects the nature of it – a kind of domestic stockpile that was hidden away and meant for future use; that is to say, for bartering. If today we talk about hiding money under the mattress for use on a rainy day, then in the period prior to the invention of coins people accumulated products that they themselves would produce in order to exchange them for other items when they would need them”.
Dr. Khalaily added that “hoards of flint blades are a rarity in Neolithic sites. That notwithstanding, in recent years a number of flint hoards have been found at important sites in the southern part of the Levant. The first of these caches was discovered at the end of the 1960’s in Beida, Jordan, and consisted of approximately eighty blades and tools produced from indigenous flint that were hidden inside a wooden bowl. The discovery of such hoards in a limited number of Neolithic sites shows that these sites were central sites where a sophisticated social and economic system prevailed. Agricultural flourished for the first time during the Neolithic period, as did the first domestication of plants and animals. It was at this time when man’s existence changed from a nomadic one to one in which he resided in permanent settlements and modern society, technology and trade began to develop.

Dr. Khalaily adds “the discovery was facilitated by the group of veteran laborers employed by the Israel Antiquities Authority whose extensive experience in the delicate work of prehistoric excavations made the exposure of the hoard possible”.

photos pending by SM

During a routine antiquities inspection of the ongoing construction work at Ramot Rachel, Noha Sa’id-Aga, an archaeologist and inspector with the Antiquities Authority, uncovered a large concentration of stone tools that were used hundreds of thousands of years ago by prehistoric man. In the wake of the discovery an archaeological excavation was conducted there for more than a week during which hundreds of tools were collected that date to the Middle Paleolithic Age (200,000 – 50,000 BP).

The excavation directors, archaeologists Omri Barzilai and Michal Birkenfeld of the Antiquities Authority, report that the reason for the ancient settlement there was probably because of its proximity to flint outcrops from which man produced his tools. It is reasonable to assume that in this period man existed by hunting animals and gathering wild plants and did not permanently occupy one site; rather he wandered from place to place, in search of important resources such as water and food.

The discovery of such an ancient site in Jerusalem has excited the excavators because even though the city is rich in antiquities from different periods, only two other sites are ascribed to the Paleolithic period: one on ‘Emeq Rephaim Street and the other in the vicinity of Mount Scopus. The Antiquities Authority reports that the discovery of the site at Ramat Rachel joins these two and proves that the Jerusalem region was attractive to man, not only from the Biblical period onward, but during prehistoric periods as well. The Jerusalem region was an attractive place for man in prehistoric times too; in IAA excavations evidence was uncovered of prehistoric man’s existence at Ramat Rachel, in Jerusalem. – May 9, 2006. In conclusion, the discovery may be relative to the lifestyles of Adam and Eve up to the days of Noah.

Note: photos pending by SM

Seth was 105 years old when he became the father of Enosh and Seth lived another 800 years after Seth’s birth. Seth died at the age of 912 years and during his lifetime fathered other sons and daughters. We have no information what the names of these other sons and daughters were.

Enosh at the age of 90 years became the father of Kenan. Enosh lived 905 years and has other sons and daughters after Kenan. Again we have no information what the names of these other sons and daughters were.

Kenan was 70 years old when he became the father of Mahalalel. Kenan died at the age of 910 years and fathered other sons and daughters during his lifetime.

Mahalalel was 65 years old when he became the father of Jared. Mahalalel died at the age of 895 years and fathered other sons and daughters during his lifetime.

Jared was 162 years old when he became the father of Enoch. Jared died at the age of 962 years of age and he fathered other sons and daughters during his lifetime.

Enoch was 65 years old when he became the father of Methuselah. Enoch died at the age of 365 years of age and he fathered other sons and daughters during his lifetime.

Methuselah was 187 years old when he fathered Lamech. Methuselah died at the age of 969 years of age and fathered other sons and daughters during his lifetime.

Lamech was 182 years old when he fathered Noah. Lamech died at the age of 777 years of age and fathered other sons and daughters during his lifetime.

Noah was 500 years old he became the father of Shem, Ham and Japheth. This is an interesting passage because it could be interpreted that Shem, Ham and Japheth were triplets.

Genesis chapter 6:2-4 affirms that the population on earth had multiplied. But our attention is alerted to celestial encounters of (divine male beings) who noticed how beautiful the daughters of the aforementioned men were. These celestial male beings then took some of these daughters of man for their wives who gave birth to children. At the same time G-d informs us that He is responsible for keeping the aforementioned men alive for literally hundreds of years and that since man is now flesh they will live not longer than 120 years. The mystery of these divine beings remains and we are not given any information as to the identity of these children or who the heroes of old were other than they were men of renown.

These two chapters of Genesis are probably the most controversial. How is that man lived over 800 years of age and how is it that all human life was being observed by a Divine being who came to visit on a frequent basis. We are told that the Divinity existed in the heavens. Hence can we assume that there are a few clues missing which could not be revealed? Later on as we read Biblical accounts we are told about heavenly chariots, therefore does this mean these chariots were some form of transportation similar to the space shuttles we are accustomed to in the 20th and 21st century?

Check out the tombs of Noah, Enoch, Seth and Adam on Bible Discovered

Probably one of the most intriguing aspects of the Hebrew Bible is the people themselves. We want to know what they looked like, what they did for a living, where they lived, what they ate and how they dressed. What was the climate like, how did they stay cool in the summer and warm in the winter months?

One must understand man’s world in order to understand the word of G-d in the Bible. Which are why some knowledge of the biblical literary forms is necessary and the situation in which a Bible passage came into being?

Chapter one of Genesis introduces us to the creation of earth as a sustainable planet with plant life animals and human beings. In Genesis chapter two we are informed of a Garden of Eden which is the location that humans began to live. There were trees that produced food to sustain human life. There was a river with four branches to water the garden. We are also informed that there is gold, bdellium and lapis lazuli. The four branches of the river are Pishon, Gihon, Tigris and Euphrates. The animals included cattle, birds and wild animals. Genesis chapter three tells us about a clever talking serpent. Chapter three also tells us that the first fashion statement worn by both the man and the woman was fig leaves which they sewed together and made loin cloths.

So far we can conclude that these two people ate fruit from trees, one must have been a fig and that they knew how to sew garments from the trees leaves. As we read on we are informed that the man and woman also know about child- bearing which will be a painful experience for the woman. We are given a confirmation that the woman is the man’s wife and he will be required to till the soil and eat what he have harvested from his work [plants of the field]. The fields where they will live will exist east of the Garden of Eden. We are also informed of two weeds, thorns and thistles which of course exist to this day and there is a breeze or wind.

Towards the end of chapter three we are informed about bread the couple [Adam and Eve] will eat. Logically we can then assume that they planted grain which eventually grew, was harvested and processed to make bread. The cycle of grain growing took place. We also learn that the couple is now wearing leather garments fashioned by G-d who is sharing the delight of these designs with his personal acquaintances – the cherubim [angels]. We are also informed that the Garden of Eden is now off limits to mankind and guarded by supernatural beings.

The conclusions we can draw from Genesis chapter three is that Adam [the husband] and his wife Eve now live on a farm east of the Garden of Eden and are farmers who plant their own garden so that they can eat from it. The clothing they wear is made of leather.

Genesis chapter 4 informs us that Adam and Eve have sexual relations and she conceived and gave birth to a son named Cain and later on another son named Abel. Abel took care of the flocks [farm animals] and Cain farmed the land. Here is where the first incidence of sibling rivalry occurred and it seems to have been instigated by G-d Himself. G-d favored the offering from Abel which was a prime animal specimen; but disapproved of Cain’s offering as a result of hard labor tilling the soil and growing plants for food. Cain is told that he didn’t do a very good job and if he works even harder the produce will be better. Nothing is mentioned that Cain is primarily responsible for growing the plants that everyone is eating including the prize animals of Abel.

As a result of this censure Cain killed his brother Abel in the field as G-d watched. The consequence for Cain is that he is now banished from this area east of the Garden of Eden and settles in a new area called Nod which literally means “land of nomads”. There’s another clue here and that is the concern Cain has of someone else that might kill him. Does this mean there are other people we have not been told about?

Further on Genesis chapter 4 introduces us to Cain and his wife who gives birth to a son named Enoch. At this point they found a city named after their son Enoch. Enoch became the father of Irad. Irad became the father of Mehujael. Mehujael became the father of Methusael. Methusael became the father of Lamech. Lamech had two wives named Adah and Zillah. Adah gave birth to Jabal and Jubal. Jabal raised cattle and Jubal was a musician and musical instrument maker. Cain’s second wife Zillah gave birth to a son Tubalcain and a daughter Naamah. Tubalcain was a Metal worker and in his foundry he forged instruments made from bronze and iron.

The conclusion of Genesis chapter four informs us that Adam and Eve have another son whom they named Seth. Seth became the father of Enosh. We can affirm that now there are quite a few people living on planet earth.

A Conclusion: G-d who is sharing the delight of these designs with his personal acquaintances – the cherubim [angels]. Genesis chapter three tells us about a clever talking “serpent”. The alert points to one of the cherubim {Serpent} who was jealous of G-d’s creation and out of its jealousy of Adam and Eve who were no longer simple spiritual beings but lived in and enjoyed the Garden of Eden. The Serpent was overcome by its own evil inclination and because of its actions to deceive Adam and Eve, it was cast out of G-d’s entourage of spiritual beings and became a snake crawling on the earth. We can assume that the Serpent in the beginning did not look like the snake it became. The term snake is used to relate to all actions that are decceptive with an evil inclination causing harm. 

Check out the tombs of Enoch, Seth and Adam on Bible Discovered

Ibn Ishaq: Jared married Barakna bt. al-Darmasil b. Mehujael b. Enoch b. Cain b. Adam when he was 162 years old. She bore him Enoch b. Jared. Enoch is Idris the prophet. He was the first of Adam’s children to be given prophecy and the first to write with a pen. Jared lived 800 years after the birth of Enoch, and had more sons and daughters. So all of the years lived by Jared were 962, then he died.

Tabari: Some of the Jews say that Enoch, that is Idris, was born to Jared. God made him a prophet after 622 years of Adam’s life had passed. Thirty scriptures were revealed to him. He was the first to write after Adam, to exert himself in the path of God, to cut and sew clothes, and the first to enslave some of Cain’s descendants. He inherited from his father Jared that which his forefathers had bequeathed upon him, and had bequeathed to one another. All of this he did during the lifetime of Adam.

Ibn Kathir: As for Idris, God praised him and attributed to him prophethood and truthfulness. He is Enoch. He is in the genealogical chain of the Prophet Muhammad, except according to one genealogist. He was the first descendant of Adam to whom prophethood was given after Adam and Seth. Ibn Ishaq says he was the first who wrote with the pen. There was a span of 380 years between him and the life of Adam. Many of the scholars allege that he was the first to speak about this, and they call him Thrice-great Hermes [Hermes al-Haramisah]. They say many lies about him just as they lied about other prophets, scholars, sages, and people who did things first.

Q 87:18-19 This is in the first scriptures, the scriptures of Abraham and Moses.

Ibn Kathir: “First scriptures” means the scriptures which were revealed to Adam’s son “Gift of God” [Seth] and Idris.

Ibn Kathir: As for the word of God “we took him up to a high place” Idris was taken up to heaven. Mujahid says that Idris was taken up and did not die, just like Jesus was taken up. Ibn Abbas and Dahhak say that Idris was taken up into the sixth heaven and died there. Hasan al-Basri says Idris was taken into Paradise.

Tomb of Enoch (Idris)

Muslim and Christian sources report that some people believe Idris and Seth to have been buried in the two largest pyramids on the Giza plateau near Cairo. It is also said that Sabaians from Harran made pilgrimage to Giza and offered sacrifices there because they believed the pyramids were the tombs of these two prophets.