Tombs of Absalom, Zechariah and Benei Hezir - Jerusalem
Tomb of Absalom
Next to the Old City of Jerusalem and the Bab al-Rahma Cemetery, a path leads to an area where Tombs of Absalom, Zechariah and Benei Hezir are located. A sign in the Kings’ Valley shows the location of the tombs, the valley is also known as Kidron Valley.
The Tomb of Absalom is also called Absalom’s Pillar. It is commonly believed that this tomb belong to son of King David ( Hazrat Daud in Arabic). The tomb has been hewed out of the rocky slope of the Mount of Olives. Absalom’s Pillar is approximately 20 meters (65 feet) in height, the upper part of the tomb is made of ashlars. Some archaeologists believe that this is not a burial chamber (tomb) but a monument beside the burial Cave of Jehoshaphat. Some believe that this tomb is from the 1st century AD.
Tomb of Zechariah
This monument is carved out of the solid rock and it doesn’t have any burial chamber inside. There is no documentary evidence as to whom was buried, and the tomb does not contain a body. According to some people this is the tomb of the priest Zechariah Ben Jehoiada but still mystery surrounds this monument.
Tomb of Benei Hezir
From Zechariah’s tomb, steps lead to the other side of the tomb where Tomb of Benei Hezir is located. Tomb of Benei Hezir dates to the 2nd century BC and it is the oldest tomb on this site. Beisde the City walls of Jerusalem, one can see the Mount of Olives with the Jewish cemetery on the upper and middle slopes. At the bottom (in Kidron Valley) Christians are buried and on the opposite side of the slope is Muslim cemetery.
