A Note on Henry Timberlake's Route from Gaza to Beersheba to Hebron in 1601

Research challenges the long-held assumption that Bi'r al-Sab' was the biblical Beersheba, instead supporting Bayt Jibrīn as the correct identification. This finding allows for a more accurate reconstruction of Henry Timberlake's 1601 pilgrimage route from Gaza to Hebron. By analyzing historical accounts and social conditions of the time, the study argues that Timberlake's caravan likely took the less-traveled northern road rather than the better-known Roman Road to reach Hebron, providing new insights into early modern travel routes in the region.

Blakely, J. A. (2010). A Note on Henry Timberlake’s Route from Gaza to Beersheba to Hebron in 1601. Palestine Exploration Quarterly, 142(1), 64–68. https://doi.org/10.1179/003103210x12581223412900