Arab Residences in the Hebron Hills Villages

Survey by the Reseacrchers and and Archeologist Professor Yizhar Hirschfeld This album contains 207 colored pictures taken by Professor Yizhar Herschfeld (1950-2006) while researching rural residences in the Hebron hills. Refer to the article published in 'Catedra' edition no. 24 (July 1982 pages 79-114) published by Yad Ben Zvi, under the heading, "The Rural Residence in the Hebron Hills and the Tradition of Building in the Land of Israel". The survey was conducted between 1979 and the end of 1980. During this period, about ten residences were studied. The survey included interviews with the residents, precise measurements and many photographs of building specifications in the house and in the yard. Two criteria were determined for choosing the houses: a,) Locating homes that were built before the beginning of the British Mandate or at least that were built before the use of building with cement and metal beams. b.) Homes that were still inhabited. The purpose of the survey was to document a traditional housing culture that is disappearing. The homes that were documented are located on the western outskirts of Har Hebron. Herschfeld focused on the architectural aspects of the house as they are expressed in three components: the outer walls, the interior space and the courtyard. Read more