Thirteen cist tombs were discovered and documented (Fig. 1). The outline of seven tombs (T3–T7, T9, T11) was excavated and the outline of one tomb (T8) was partially exposed. The cist tombs were part of a burial field, the likes of which surrounded the old city of Be’er Sheva‘ in the Byzantine period. Past excavations close to this concentration of burials had been conducted at Migdale Qeren (HA-ESI 116), the Courthouse (HA-ESI 109:89*–90*) and the Civic Center (ESI 19:90*–91*). Other tombs were discovered and documented in the vicinity during the course of antiquities inspection.

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.

The exposed tombs were apparently part of a family funeral plot that belonged to the residents of Be’er Sheva‘ in the Byzantine period, and was one of many plots that surrounded the city. Anthropological evidence regarding the population could not be obtained since the tombs were not opened.

The funerary practice that characterizes the cemetery is the placement of a Gaza-type jar outside, at the foot of the tomb. This choice is surprising, as the local jars in the Be’er Sheva‘ region are bag-shaped vessels. Following the outline exposure of seven tombs (T3–T7, T9, T11) they were raised, the soil beneath them was excavated and they were returned to their original locations.