Tell Abu Zard
The archaeological religious shrine sits atop a mountain at an elevation of 680 meters above sea level, south of Yasuf village, approximately 5 km north of Salfit and 12 km south of Nablus. This site, located on a flat, cultivable area of about 40 dunums, offers a panoramic view of the surrounding lands, including the Palestinian coast. To the west, the hill overlooks the historic road between Jerusalem and Jenin.
Historically, this hill was known as a fortified city during the Middle Bronze Age, around 3500 BC. It features traces from the Chalcolithic period and evidence of a small farming village from the Early Bronze Age II and III. The site continued to be inhabited through the Late Bronze Age, and remains from the first Iron Age are present. Occupation persisted through various historical periods, including Persian, Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, and Islamic, as evidenced by building foundations and fortifications throughout the site.
Mustafa al-Dabbagh, in his encyclopedia "Palestine, Our Land," suggests that the shrine of Sheikh Abu al-Zard may have been located near the village of Taffouh, which means "apples" in ancient Canaanite language. He notes that Yasouf has several mosques, one of which has been renovated for prayers, alongside ancient burial sites, a Roman road, and columns. Surrounding villages include Hawara, Beita, Yatma, Al-Sawiya, Iskaka, Marda, and Jama'in.