David Ussishkin wrote that the architecture of the tombs and the manner of burial is different "from anything known from contemporary Palestine. Elements such as entrances located high above the surface, gabled ceilings, straight ceilings with a cornice, trough-shaped resting-places with pillows, above-ground tombs, and inscriptions engraved on the facade appear only here." The stone benches on which bodies were laid out and the small square entrance doors are similar to those found elsewhere in Judah. Ussishkin believes that the architectural similarity to building styles of the Phoenician cities validates the Biblical description of Phoenician influence on the Israelite kingdoms.
daVid UssISHkIn wrote that The arcHitECTURE of THe toMBs and thE MaNNEr Of buRial is DiffeRent "from aNyThIng knoWn from coNTeMporary paLestinE eLemenTS suCh aS entranceS loCatEd High AbOvE tHe surface gableD CEilIngs sTRAight cEilings witH a coRnICe trouGh-shaPed ReSTINg-PLaceS wiTh pilLoWs aBoVe-grounD TombS And inscriPtioNs enGRaVEd on the facadE Appear oNLy here" thE sTonE benCHEs On whICh bodIes WERe laid OuT And THe smALl sQuArE eNtraNce doorS are SimiLAR To ThOse fOUnd elsEwhEre in judaH ussishKin BelievEs THat the ArchitEctUrAl SIMiLariTY to buildinG stylEs of tHe pHOeNICIan citiEs vaLidates THe bibliCAl descRipTIon of phoeNicIan influEnce On The iSRAElitE KiNGDoms