In the Fourth Semitic Period (circa. 1000–550 B.C.) the tomb–chambers are of the same kind, but are as a rule smaller.
In Southern Palestine the well–made tomb–chambers, such as are to be seen in great numbers around Jerusalem, are all post–exilic. There is an immense variety in plan, some tombs being single chambers, others complications of several chambers. The late excavation absurdly called the 'Tombs of the Kings' at Jerusalem is quite a labyrinth of rockcut chambers. In exploring such a structure a careful search should be made for devices for deluding thieves: special precautions are sometimes taken to conceal the entrance to inner groups of chambers. There are some interesting examples of this in the cemetery in the Wadi er–Rababi, south of Jerusalem. However, all tombs of this period fall into two groups, kõk tombs and arcosolium tombs. In the former the receptacles for bodies are of the kind known by the Hebrew name kõkîm —shafts, of a size to accommodate one body (sometimes large enough for two or three) driven horizontally into the wall of the chamber. In the normal kõk tomb–chamber there are nine kõkîm , three in each wall except the wall containing the entrance doorway. But there are many other arrangements. In the 'Tombs of the Judges' there is a double row of kõkîm in the entrance chamber. The explorer should not forget that a kõk sometimes contains a secret entrance to further chambers at its inner end. In arcosolium tombs the receptacles are benches cut in the wall, like the berths in a steamer's cabin. These are sometimes sunk, so as to resemble rock–cut sarcophagi.
The late tombs round Jerusalem are in the form of caves driven horizontally into the hill–sides. Further south, e.g. in the region round Beit Jibrin, they are more frequently sunk vertically, the entrance being in the roof of the burial chamber, or approached by a square shaft (a reversion to the Second Semitic form, except that these latter have round shafts).
IV. Caves.
The history of the artificial caves hewn in the soft limestone of Palestine, is quite unknown. The caves of the neighbourhood of Beit Jibrin provide ample material for several months' exploration.
Though the caves are labyrinthine there is little fear of an explorer losing his way: he should, however, be well provided with lights, as it would be extremely awkward to be left in the innermost recess of a cave consisting of ten or a dozen chambers united by narrow creep– passages, without adequate illumination. There are occasionally unexpected and dangerous pitfalls: and hyenas and serpents often shelter in the caves. The present writer has explored many of them entirely alone, but this is, on the whole, not to be recommended.
Besides planning the cave, its walls should be searched for inscriptions, &c. It should be remembered, however, that these may have been added at any time and do not necessarily belong to the original excavation. Symbols, apparently of a phallic nature, are sometimes cut on the walls, as well as crosses and other Christian devices, and Cufic inscriptions. Frequently the walls are pitted with the loculi of a columbarium, which, however, appear to be too small to receive cinerary urns and must be intended for some other purpose.
V. Pottery.
Owing to the importance of the subject a special section on Pottery is given here, and the two accompanying plates ([XII]) show some of the commonest types of vessels. But the student cannot learn all he will need to know of Palestinian pottery from a few pages of print. A representative series of specimens will be found in the Jerusalem Museum: he may supplement his study of these by the perusal of reports on excavations, such as Petrie, Tell el–Hesy (pp. 40–50); Bliss, A Mound of Many Cities (passim); Excavations in Palestine (pp. 71–141); Macalister, Excavation of Gezer (vol. ii, pp. 128–239; and plates); Sellin, Jericho ; Schumacher, Tell el–Mutasellim
Pre–Semitic Period (down to circa. 2000 B.C.). Ware hand–modelled, without wheel, coarse, gritty, and generally soft–baked and very porous. The section of a clean fracture is usually of a dirty yellowish colour, resembling in appearance coarse oatmeal porridge. Bases usually flat, loop–handles or wavy handles on the bodies of the vessels: mouths wide and lips curved outward. The body of the vessel often decorated with drip lines or with a criss–cross, in red paint.