It is supervised by the Israel Nature and Parks Authority (INPA) and benefits from the Authority’s system of protection, which also covers most of the buffer zone. The management system of the Maresha-Bet Guvrin National Archaeological Park has been in place now for many years and functions efficiently. It will furthermore be necessary to pursue a policy of low-key restoration, avoiding possible over-interpretation with reconstruction, and ensuring that the necessary technical consolidations are carried out in a way which respects the authenticity perceived by the visitor. This authenticity is however relatively fragile, with the risk of infiltrations of water leading to possible collapse of the vaults. They have been well-preserved, firstly because of the quality of their architectural design at the time of their excavation, then by their maintenance over a long period of use, and finally by a prolonged period of abandonment, filling up naturally over time, which has contributed to their preservation. The underground structures of Maresha–Bet Guvrin are authentic. The integrity of the property also concerns its relations with the outside and the preservation of a landscape of ancient ruins in a well-preserved environment of Mediterranean vegetation. It is also expressed by the exceptional density of the subterranean structures which are found beneath the ancient twin cities of Maresha and Bet Guvrin. The integrity of the property is expressed in the first place by the diversity of the excavations and their arrangements, intended for a variety of economic, social, funerary and symbolic purposes. With their density, diversified activities, use over two millennia and the quality of their state of preservation, the complexes attain an Outstanding Universal Value.Ĭriterion (v): The underground archaeological site of Maresha–Bet Guvrin is an eminent example of traditional use of chalk subsurface strata, with the development of man-made caves and networks conducive to multiple economic, social and symbolic purposes, from the Iron Age to the Crusades. Initially the excavations were quarries, but they were later converted for various agricultural and local craft industry purposes, including oil presses, columbaria, stables, underground cisterns and channels, baths, tombs and places of worship, and hiding places during troubled times, etc. They bear witness to a succession of historic periods of excavation and use, over a period of 2,000 years. They are situated underneath the ancient twin cities of Maresha and Bet Guvrin, and in the surrounding areas, constituting a “city under a city”. The property includes a very complete selection of chambers and man-made subterranean networks, of different forms and for different activities. The presence in the Judean Lowlands of thick and homogeneous chalk sub-strata enabled numerous caves to be excavated and managed by Man. Tijdens moeilijke tijden werden de grotruimtes als schuilplaatsen gebruikt. De ondergrondse ruimtes functioneerden eerst als steengroeven, maar deze werden omgebouwd voor diverse landbouw- en ambachtsdoeleinden zoals oliepersen, columbaria (duiventillen), stallen, ondergrondse reservoirs en kanalen, baden, grafcomplexen en aanbiddingsplaatsen. Ze getuigen van een grote verscheidenheid aan ondergrondse bouwmethoden en van opeenvolgende periodes van opgravingen en gebruik, gedurende meer dan 2000 jaar, vanaf de IJzertijd tot de tijd van de Kruistochten. Onder de oude zustersteden van Maresha en Bet Guvrin bevinden zich kamers en netwerken met verschillende vormen en functies. Het is een selectie kunstmatige grotten, opgegraven uit de dikke homogene laag van zacht krijt in het Judese laagland. Grotten van Maresha en Bet Guvrin in het Judese Laagland als microkosmos van het Land van de Grottenĭe grotten van Maresha en Bet Guvrin vormen een “stad onder een stad”.
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