Israel, Beit Guvrin (Eleutheropolis) Burial cave – Sidonian burial caves (00:02:08)

During the Hellenistic period the people of Maresha commonly buried their dead in caves with niches. Two of
these caves are seen here. Many of the niches are decorated with gables (a triangular architectural element common
on temple facades). In the Apollophanes Cave , the northern of the two, an inscription was found mentioning
Apollophanes son of Sesmaios, the leader of the Sidonian community in Maresha. The inscription, as well as the cave’s
paintings, shed light on the art, mythology and ethnic affiliations of those interred in the cave (Idumeans, Sidonians
and Greeks). They also reveal their family relationships and burial customs. The Apollophanes inscription clearly
identifies Tel Maresha with biblical Maresha.In the southern cave, the “Cave of the Musicians,” paintings have been    reconstructed that depict musicians of the period. All the paintings in the caves are reconstructions