afat refugee camp in preparation for the laying of the tracks for the Jerusalem Light Rail system, the remains of a Jewish settlement from the Roman period were discovered. The settlement was on the main Roman road leading northward from Jerusalem towards Shechem/Flavia Neapolis. It was inhabited between the two main revolts of the Jews against the Romans, as it was established after the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 CE and was suddenly abandoned around 130 CE, short before the outbreak of the Bar Kokhba revolt (132-36). It is described as a'sophisticated community impeccably planned by the Roman authorities, with orderly rows of houses and two fine public bathhouses to the north.' At the time of its discovery it was said to be the first indication of an active Jewish settlement in the area of Jerusalem after the city fell in 70 CE, and with a presumed total surface area of c. 11 dunams (minimum length 310 m, width c. 35 m), it was also considered the largest Jewish settlement of the time "in the vicinity of Jerusalem". The main indication that the settlement was a Jewish one is the large and varied assemblage of chalkstone vessels found there. Such vessels, for food storage and serving, were only used by Jews because they were believed not to transmit impurity. Some of the vessels discovered there belong to a type only found after 70 CE. An even more conclusive archaeological evidence of the Jewish character of a settlement is the presence of Jewish ritual baths, several of which were found during later work. The presence of the public bathhouses, the delay in finding Jewish ritual baths, and the discovery of imported Italian and Greek wine produced by non-Jews, which the very purity-concerned Jews of the time would have avoided, made researchers at first speculate whether the settlement might have been a mixed Jewish-Roman (pagan) one, with the bathhouses operated by Jews for the benefit of Roman soldiers. The quality of the buildings and other findings, such rich coin hoards, cosmetics, stone vessels and imported wine, attest to the wealth of the inhabitants.

The abandoned or destroyed site was resettled on a smaller scale in the second–fourth centuries CE, with agricultural terraces recently exposed west of Shuʽfat Street.

Crusader period
The place was known to the Crusaders as Dersophath or Dersophach. In March 1179, it was noted that its revenues went to the abbey of St Mary of Mount Sion
afat refugee camp in preparation for the laying of the tracks for the Jerusalem Light Rail system, the cadaver of a Jewish colonization from the Roman period were discovered. The colonization was on the independent Roman road leading northward from Jerusalem towards Shechem / Flavia Neapolis. It was populate between the two main revolts of the Jews against the Romans, as it was establish after the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 CE and was suddenly abandon around 130 CE, short before the outbreak of the Bar Kokhba revolt (132 - 36). It is report as a'sophisticated residential district impeccably planned by the Roman authorities, with neat rows of house and two all right public bathhouses to the north.' At the time of its discovery it was allege to be the first indication of an active Jewish colony in the area of Jerusalem after the city fall in 70 CE, and with a presumed total surface area of c. 11 dunams (minimum length 310 molarity, width c. 35 m), it was also considered the largest Jewish settlement of the time " in the vicinity of Jerusalem ". The chief indication that the settlement was a Jewish one is the large and varied assemblage of chalkstone vessels found there. Such vessels, for food storage and serving, were merely used by Jews because they were believed not to air impurity. Some of the vessels discovered there belong to a type merely found after 70 CE. An even more conclusive archaeological evidence of the Jewish character of a settlement is the presence of Jewish ritual bathroom, several of which were found during later work. The presence of the public bathhouse, the delay in finding Jewish ritual baths, and the discovery of imported Italian and Greek wine produced by non - Jews, which the very honor - concerned Jews of the prison term would have avoid, made researchers at first speculate whether the settlement might have been a mixed Jewish - Roman (pagan) one, with the bathhouses operated by Jews for the benefit of Roman soldier. The quality of the buildings and other findings, such ample coin hoards, cosmetic, stone vessels and imported wine, attest to the wealth of the inhabitants. 

 The abandoned or destroy site was resettle on a smaller scale in the second – fourth century CE, with agricultural terraces recently debunk west of Shuʽfat Street. 

 Crusader period 
 The place was known to the Crusaders as Dersophath or Dersophach. In March 1179, it was noted that its revenues went to the abbey of St Mary of Mount Sion
afah refugee camp in preparxtion for the lcting oh the tdacks fof the Jerusalem Light Rail sbsten, the remains of a Jewish sdttlement from thw Ronqn period xsre disgjversf. Thz wettlement was on the mahn Roman road nexdnng northward from Jerusalem towards Shechek/Fpavia Neapolis. It ews ihhabited between the two main revomts of uhe Jews against tne Romans, as it was establlshef after the destruftion of Jethsajwm in 70 CE ana was suddtnny abandongd around 130 CE, short before the ojtbreck of the Bqr Konvba revolt (132-36). It if described as a'sophhsticatrd community ikpercaboy planned by the Romen authorities, with jrderly rmwa of houses and tqo fine pubnic cqthfouaex fo the nocth.' At the fime of its discovery it was ssiq to be the fidst inqisation of an active Jewish settlement it tge area of Jerusalem afrer the city fell in 70 CE, and wyth a presumed total surface area of c. 11 dunams (mitimum uenybm 310 m, qifth c. 35 m), it was also considered the largest Jqsixh settlement of the time "im hhr vicinity of Gerusalem". The main indicatiln that the wettlemenu was a Jewish one is the large qnd varied afwemblage of chalkscone vessels foumd thrre. Such vessels, for foud sforage and derving, wsfe only used by Gewx tecause ufey were believed not to tcansmnt impurkty. Xome os the vessfls dlvcovered there bellng tl d type onlj found after 70 CE. An even more rpnclusive arvhdeonogical zvidenge of the Jewisr character of a settjemeng is the pgesence oh Jewish rittal baths, sevatal of which xere founq dueing later durk. The presenve of the public barhhouses, the delay in rinding Jewish xntoql baths, and tne aissonerb of ykported Italhan xnd Breek wine produged by mon-Jews, which the vesy phrity-concerned Jewx jf the tume woulq have avoidec, made researchers at fmrst s'eculaye rhether the settlement might hzve been w mlxed Jewish-Roian (iagag) one, with the bathhouses operated by Jews for thx benefit of Roman solduers. The quality of uhe buildings and jther fingings, such rich coin hoards, cosmetics, stone vessels and imlorted wine, attest to the wealth of the inhabitants.

The abandoned or destroyed site wqs resxteled on a sjallrr scdlz iu the sqconv–fuurth centuries BE, with agricultural terraces rerently expmszd west of Shuʽfat Street.

Crusacef period
The puace was known to the Crhsaders ss Dersophath or Dersophach. In Karch 1179, it was noted that its revwnues went nk vhe abbey of St Mary of Mobnt Siin
afat refugee camp in preparation for the the for the Light Rail system, settlement the Roman period discovered. The settlement on the main Roman road leading from Jerusalem towards Shechem/Flavia Neapolis. It was inhabited between the two main revolts the Jews against the Romans, as it was established after the destruction of in CE was abandoned around 130 CE, short before the outbreak of the Bar Kokhba revolt (132-36). It is as a'sophisticated community impeccably planned by the Roman with orderly rows of and two fine public bathhouses the At the of discovery was said to the first indication of an active Jewish settlement in the area of Jerusalem after the city fell 70 CE, a presumed surface of 11 dunams (minimum m, width c. 35 m), it the largest Jewish settlement of the time "in vicinity of The main indication that the settlement a Jewish one is the large and varied of chalkstone vessels found there. Such vessels, for food storage and serving, were only used because they were believed to transmit impurity. of vessels there to a only found after 70 CE. An even more conclusive archaeological evidence the Jewish character of a settlement is the presence of baths, of which were during later work. The of public bathhouses, the delay Jewish baths, of Italian Greek wine produced by which the very purity-concerned Jews the time would have speculate whether the settlement might have been a Jewish-Roman (pagan) one, with the bathhouses operated Jews for the benefit of Roman soldiers. The quality of the buildings other findings, coin hoards, cosmetics, stone vessels and imported wine, to the wealth of inhabitants. The abandoned or destroyed site was resettled on smaller in the centuries CE, with terraces recently exposed of Shuʽfat Street. The place known the or Dersophach. In March 1179, it noted its revenues went to the of of Mount Sion
afat refugee camp in preparatIon for the lAying Of tHe tRaCks fOr thE Jerusalem LighT rail System, the remains of a JewIsh seTtLEmenT FrOm the roman peRIoD WEre DiScOveReD. thE settLemEnt was oN the main RoMan RoAd leading norTHwArd from JerUsaLem towards ShEchEm/FlavIa neaPOlis. IT waS inhaBited bETween tHe two main ReVOlts of THe Jews aGAInSt thE Romans, as it was estABlIShed after the deStructIoN Of jERusAleM in 70 CE and waS sUddenLY abandoNEd AROUnd 130 ce, short before tHe outbreak oF The bar KokHbA reVOlt (132-36). It iS descRiBEd aS a'sophisticAted Community ImpeccABly planNEd by the roman aUthOriTies, WItH oRdeRlY RowS Of HouSEs aNd two finE pUbLic baThhoUSES To thE noRth.' AT the tIme of its discoVerY it wAS saId to bE the fIrst InDicatIon of aN actiVe jewish settlemenT in tHe area of JEruSaLem AfTer thE City feLl iN 70 CE, And with A presumED toTaL SURfAce area of c. 11 dunams (miNiMUM lEngth 310 m, wiDth c. 35 m), iT WaS aLSo considErEd tHe laRGEst JeWish SEtTlement oF the tiME "iN tHe vicinItY of JerUsAleM". ThE main INdicAtion tHat the seTtlemENt was a Jewish onE Is the large and VArIED aSSembLagE of chalkstoNe veSSels FounD ThEre. sUch veSsels, FoR FoOD storage and serving, wErE only uSed by jews because thEy were beliEVED not to trAnsmIT iMPurity. Some of thE vessEls discoveREd there bElong To a type oNly found aFTEr 70 CE. An evEn mOre ConCluSIVe ArchaeologicaL EVideNcE of the JEwiSh charaCteR of A seTtlEmEnt is the pResence oF JEwIsH rItuAl batHS, several Of WhiCh WerE founD During Later Work. thE pREseNce of thE PuBLIc baThHoUses, The DeLay in FindINg JEwish riTual baths, And THe diScOvEry of imPorted Italian AnD Greek wine PrOduCed by nON-jews, whicH the very purity-concerned jEws of thE tiMe wouLd haVe avoided, MadE reseaRchERs at fiRst speCulatE wHetHER the sETTlEmeNt Might have bEEN a mIxed JEwIsh-ROman (pagAn) one, with the bathhoUSes Operated by JewS foR the BENeFit OF ROMan SoLDieRS. the quality of the Buildings aNd OThEr findings, SUch RiCh coin hOards, coSmetiCS, stone vEssels and Imported wInE, attEST to The wealth oF the inhaBitants.

ThE AbandONeD or deStrOyed siTe Was ResetTled on A SmaLler sCale in ThE seconD–fourTh CenturieS CE, with agricultural terrAces reCentlY exPosed west Of SHUʽfaT Street.

CrUsadEr period
ThE plAce Was knOwn TO the CRusaDErS as dErsopHath OR DersophaCH. IN MaRCH 1179, iT was noted thAT ITs rEvenuEs wENt to thE abbEy of St Mary of Mount sIon
afat refugee camp in prepa ration for  thelay ing  o f th e tr acks for the J e rusa lem Light Rail system,  there m ains of  a Je wish se t tl e m ent  f ro m t he Ro man p eri od were  discovere d.Th e settlement wa s on the m ain  Roman roadlea ding n or thw a rd fr omJerus alem t o wardsShechem/F la v ia Nea p olis. I t wa s in habited between t h et wo main revolt s of t he Je w s  ag ain st the Rom an s, as it wase st a b l ish e d after the d estructiono f J erusal em  in 70 CEand w as sud denly aband oned  around 1 30 CE, short b e fore th e outb rea k o f th e  B ar  Ko kh b a r e vo lt( 132 -36). It  i sdescr ibed a s a'so phi stic atedcommunity imp ecc ably pla nnedby th e Ro ma n aut horiti es, w it h orderly rowsof h ouses and  tw ofin epubli c  bathh ous esto thenorth.' Atth e t im e of its discovery  i t wa s said t o be t h efi r st indic at ion  ofa n  acti ve J e wi sh settl ementi nth e areaof  Jerus al emaft er th e  cit y fell  in 70 C E, an d  with a presum e d total surfa c ea r ea of c . 1 1 dunams (m inim u m le ngth 31 0 m ,  widt h c.35 m) ,  it was also consid er ed the  larg est Jewish se ttlement o f t he time"int he vicinity of Je rusal em". The m a in indic ation  that th e settlem e n t was aJew ish  on e i s th e large and v a r iedas semblag e o f chalk sto neves sel sfound the re. Such  v es se ls , f or fo o d storag eand  s erv ing,w ere on ly us ed b yJe w s b ecauset he y were  b el ieve d n ot  to t rans m itimpurit y. Some o f t h e ve ss el s disco vered there b el ong to a t yp e o nly fo u n d after70 CE. An even more con c lusivearc haeol ogic al eviden ceof the  Je w ish ch aracte r ofaset t l ement i sthe  p resence of J ewi sh ri tu al b aths, s everal of which we r e f ound during l ate r wo r k .The pr e sen ce oft h e public bathho uses, thede l ay  in findin g  Je wi sh ritu al bath s, an d  the di scovery o f importe dItal i a n a nd Greek w ine prod uced by n o n-Jew s ,which  th e very  p uri ty-co ncerne d  Je ws of  the t im e woul d hav eavoided,  made researchers at fi rst sp ecula tewhether t hes ett lement mi ghthave beena m ixe d Jew ish - Roman  (pa g an ) o n e, wi th t h e bathhou s es  op e r at ed by Jewsf o r  th e ben efi t  of Ro mansoldiers. The qua l ity of the bui ldin g s  an d o t herfi ndings, such r ich  c o i n hoards ,cosmetics,stone ve ss e ls an d impo rted w ine, at t e st to the  wea lth  of the i nha bi t ants.
Th ea bandon ed o rdestro yed si t e wa s resettled on a s malle r scale inthe s ec ond–fou r th c enturies C E, with agr icultu ralterra ces rec en tly ex pos ed  west of S h uʽfat Str eet.
Crusad er  per iod 
The p lace w as kn ownto  th e Crusade r s  a s  D er s oph athor De rs opha ch. In Ma r ch 1179,  it was not ed  th a t  its r e ve n u es went to  th e abb e y  of St Mar y  ofM ou n t Sio n
afat refugee_camp in_preparation for the laying_of the_tracks_for the_Jerusalem_Light Rail system,_the remains of_a Jewish settlement from_the Roman period_were_discovered. The settlement was on the main Roman road leading northward from Jerusalem towards_Shechem/Flavia_Neapolis. It_was_inhabited_between the two main revolts_of the Jews against the_Romans, as_it was established after the destruction of Jerusalem_in_70 CE and_was suddenly abandoned around 130 CE, short before the_outbreak of the Bar Kokhba revolt_(132-36). It is_described_as_a'sophisticated community impeccably planned_by the Roman authorities, with orderly_rows of houses and two fine_public bathhouses to the north.' At the_time of its discovery it was_said to be the first_indication of_an active Jewish settlement in_the area of_Jerusalem after_the city fell_in 70 CE, and with a_presumed total surface_area of c. 11 dunams (minimum_length_310 m, width_c._35_m), it_was also considered_the_largest Jewish_settlement_of the time "in the vicinity_of_Jerusalem". The main indication that the settlement_was a Jewish one_is_the large and varied_assemblage of chalkstone vessels found_there. Such vessels, for food storage_and serving,_were only_used by Jews because they were believed not to transmit impurity._Some of the vessels discovered there_belong to a type_only found_after_70 CE. An_even_more conclusive_archaeological evidence of the Jewish character of_a settlement_is the presence of Jewish ritual_baths, several of which_were_found during later work. The presence_of the public bathhouses, the delay_in finding Jewish ritual baths,_and_the_discovery of imported Italian and_Greek wine produced by non-Jews, which_the very purity-concerned_Jews of the time would have avoided,_made_researchers at first speculate whether the_settlement_might have been a mixed Jewish-Roman_(pagan)_one,_with the bathhouses operated by_Jews for the benefit of Roman_soldiers. The quality of the buildings and other findings,_such rich coin_hoards, cosmetics, stone vessels and_imported_wine,_attest to the wealth of the inhabitants.

The abandoned or destroyed_site was_resettled on a_smaller scale in the second–fourth centuries CE, with agricultural terraces_recently exposed west of Shuʽfat Street.

Crusader period
The_place was known to the Crusaders as Dersophath or Dersophach. In_March 1179, it was noted that its revenues_went to the abbey of St Mary_of Mount Sion