*5.2. Rural Temples and Israelite Settlements*

A number of Israelite Iron II villages were also widely exposed (e.g., Faust 2000), especially at Kh. Jemein (Dar 1986; Figure 4) and Beit Arye (Riklin 1997) that were excavated in their entirety, as well as Kh. Jarish (Amit 1989–1990), and others. Still, despite the fact that this exposure was larger than that of the Bronze Age villages described above, and notwithstanding the eagerness of archaeologists to find evidence for Israelite cult, no temples were found. The contrast with the Middle Bronze Age villages described above is striking.

**Figure 4.** A plan of Kh. Jemein. Most of this Iron Age village was excavated, but no temple was unearthed (courtesy of Shimon Dar).
