The Rural Hinterland of Jerusalem in the Hasmonean Period

Abstract This study examines rural settlements around Jerusalem during the Hasmonean period (167–63 BCE ), from the outbreak of the revolt under Mattathias and Judah Maccabaeus to the Roman conquest of Judea in 63 BCE . The analysis draws on archaeological data from 29 sites within a 10 km radius of the Temple Mount and integrates excavation and survey evidence with GIS -based spatial analysis. The results indicate marked growth from 15 Early Hellenistic sites to 29 Hasmonean-period settlements, most of them small farmsteads equipped with winepresses, olive presses, columbaria, and cisterns. Miqva’ot occur at 44 % of the sites and, together with locally produced ceramics and Hasmonean folded lamps, suggest a Jewish population observing purity practices in agricultural production destined for Jerusalem and the Temple. Most sites lie within a two-hour walk of the city and include Maresha-type olive presses. Stamp impressions attest to organized administration and taxation under Hasmonean rule.