Tel BeerSheba - restored 4 horned alter. Original in Israel Museum. Alters like this one were used for animal sacrifice and in the cities of refuge. If a person killed someone by accident they could come to the city of refuge, clutch a horn of the alter and recieve protection from the relatives of the slain man. The man had to stay at the city to be protected uptill the day the High Priest died. That day, the killer could freely leave the city if total safety.

Tel BeerSheba - A well for watering the animals outside the city gates. Note that they had water sources inside the city wall.

Tel Beer Sheva - Entry into the city

Tel Beer Sheva - Discussing Casemate Walls, and the 4 room homes that the typical resident had. Room one is for the quests. Room two is forfor living - cooking, day to day activities etc. Room three is for the sheep & goats - and important source of heat in the winter. During the summer the animals were seldom in the house.

Tel Beer Sheva - Room 4, is the private family room where everyone sleeps.

Tel Beer Sheva - Each home owner along the wall was responsible for protecting the city through his house. They were the first line of defense.

Tel Beer Sheva - A different floor plan, but still a 4 room house - Looks like they had a hot tub!

Tel Beer Sheva

Tel Beer Sheva - Like all fortresses and cities they had a plastered cistern to catch and store rain water for the long dry summers.