Khirbet al-Shajara
Located 2 kilometers north of Salfit, Khirbet al-Shajara sits at an elevation of 550 meters above sea level. This archaeological village, spanning about 10 dunums, dates back to the first and second Iron Ages. It features ruins, a tower with west-facing windows, and carved cisterns, making it one of the oldest archaeological sites in the Salfit Governorate.
Perched atop a mountain that connects the eastern and western sides, Khirbet al-Shajara has been partially excavated. Limited excavations in 2006 revealed the remains of well-preserved and impressive buildings, now covered by large stone piles ranging from 3 to 4 meters in height. The site is divided into two main areas:
Western Side: The larger of the two areas, surrounded by a large stone wall with three entrances: one on the southern side, one on the northern side, and another on the western side next to a windowed tower. This side features multi-functional architectural structures and irregularly distributed houses separated by alleys and streets. The houses, constructed of medium-sized stones and regular horizontal blocks, include remnants of masonry and gravel walls.
Eastern Side: Smaller than the western area, it is also surrounded by a stone wall. This area contains buildings of varying capacities and sizes, separated by stone-paved alleys and roads. The houses here, built with large trimmed stones and horizontal blocks, likely served the wealthier residents.