Battir Terraces
The terraces of Battir (Bittir).
"Dry-stone terrace walls in Battir are the predominant characteristic of the whole landscape, and extend to about 554,000 metres. All are constructed of dry stone. Some are relic terraces where lack of maintenance has led to their collapse and subsequent abandonment. In terms of use, there are two types of terraces: those that are irrigated, and these are mainly around the village, and those that are dry and these are further away from the village". UNESCO nomination.
"Bittir. - The Baither of Joshua xv. 59 in the Septuagint (Beth-arabah of Josh. xv. 61 in the A.V.), or Bethar, played an important part in the insurrection of Bar Cochba against the Romans. The latter succeeded in capturing it only after a siege of 3 1/2; years (A. D.135)..."--Baedeker (1912)
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Following World War II, the British withdrew from their mandate of Palestine, and the UN partitioned the area into Arab and Jewish states, an arrangement rejected by the Arabs. Subsequently, the Israelis defeated the Arabs in a series of wars without... ... read more 
