Hurbat Atari (Atari Ruins)

Hurbat Atari (Atari Ruins) is located at the top of a hill at the height of 406 meters in the Adulam Caves Park which is in the Judean plains. Here were found impressive archeological remains of a Jewish settlement from the time of the Second Temple. Among the structures which were revealed here are three Mikvehs (Jewish ritual baths), the remains of a living quarter, a wine press and a vast structure with columns, capitols and a stone bench. This structure was probably used as a public structure, perhaps a synagogue. In the corner of the structure is a hiding cave and in order to visit it one needs to crawl and use a flashlight. In this site a piece of pottery was found with the name "Atari” written on it- perhaps indicating that this place is "Atra” village which was demolished and burned by the Romans at the time of the Bar Kokhba revolt (132 –136 CE). Here is also an observation point looking over the impressive archeological digs and the whole area.