A burial cave from the intermediate bronze age and middle bronze age II c near the village of ras 'Ali, in Nahal Zippori

A burial cave was exposed during the widening the approach road to the village of Ras 'Ali, above the banks of Nahal Zippori (map ref. NIG 214120/741586; OIG 164120/241586; Fig. 1). The cave, which was damaged as a result of the development works (Fig. 2), was used during two different periods. In Phase 1 (Plan 1:1), it was used to bury a single individual; based on the ceramic finds (Fig. 4), this phase has been dated to the Intermediate Bronze Age. In Phase 2 (Plan 1:2), the cave served for the burial of approximately 25 individuals (Fig. 3). Based on the prolific local and imported ceramic finds, an alabaster vessel, bone-inlay plates, faience beads, metal objects (Figs. 5-7), and four scarabs and a cylinder seal (see Brandl, this volume), Phase 2 has been dated to MB IIC. Following its use during this period, the cave was abandoned.