The cist tombs (0.8 × 0.9 × 2.0 m), characteristic of burial in the Byzantine period, were dug in loess soil (depth 1.5 m), along a northwest-southeast axis. The sides and the covering slabs of the tombs consisted of dressed soft limestone, which is the typical masonry stone in Be’er Sheva‘. Based on the position of the deceased in Tomb T8, it seems that the individuals were interred with their heads at the northwest.
Fragments of Gaza-type jars (Fig. 2) were found alongside several of the tombs and nearby. The jars were probably used as grave markers or as gravestones, similar to the amphorae that served as tombstones during the Hellenistic period. Late Ottoman cemeteries in the Gaza to Ashkelon region use ceramic pipes as tombstones. It seems that placing a Gaza jar as a grave marker is a distinct phenomenon of the tombs in this burial field and it is presumed that the same or a similar custom was practiced in tombs that were damaged or not completely exposed.
Tombs T1 and T2, in the side of the trench, were damaged during the digging of the water conduit.
Tombs T3 and T4, whose outlines were excavated, were damaged in their southeastern parts while digging the conduit.
Tomb T5, whose outline was excavated, had been damaged in the past during the installation of infrastructures.
Tomb T6, whose outline was excavated, was surrounded by fragments of a barrel-shaped Gaza jar (Fig. 2:7).
Tomb T7, whose outline was excavated (Figs. 3, 4), was surrounded by fragments of a barrel-shaped Gaza jar (Fig. 2:6).
Tomb T8 was discovered during work on the side of the conduit’s trench. A skull was observed between its covering stones. Only part of the tomb’s outline was excavated and the course of the conduit was diverted to the west. Fragments of a Gaza jar were found around the tomb (Fig. 2:4).
Tomb T9, whose outline was excavated, was surrounded by fragments of a barrel-shaped Gaza jar (Fig. 2:1).
Tomb T10 was discovered while working next to the side of the conduit and only part of the tomb’s outline was exposed.
Tomb T11, whose outline was excavated, was surrounded by fragments of a barrel-shaped Gaza jar (Fig. 2:2, 3, 5).
Tombs T12 and T13, exposed while working next to the sides of the conduit, had been damaged in the past during the installation of infrastructures.