Was Al Jib once the mighty Gibeon? Stand here before Al Jib a Palestinian village nestled ten kilometers northwest of Jerusalem. Its history stretches back millennia to the Canaanite and Israelite city of Gibeon. Archaeological evidence supports this claim. Excavations unearthed over sixty jar handles inscribed with the name gb’n. These artifacts date back to the late years of the Kingdom of Judah. They confirm the identification of Al Jib with the ancient Gibeon.
The ancient city of Gibeon thrived during the Iron Age II. It boasted strong fortifications a winery and an advanced water system. An elaborate cemetery from the same period sits just east of the tell. Pottery and coins from the Hellenistic and Hasmonean periods were also discovered. These finds show continuous habitation through various eras.
Later a vaulted building was constructed. Its origins are debated. Some initially thought it was a Crusader-era church. Others suggest it was an Umayyad palace or even from the Abbasid era. The building remains a testament to Al Jib’s rich past.
During the Crusader era in 1152 Baldwin of Tournai received a prebend near Gibeon. Saladin passed through Al Jib in 1172 on his way to Beit Nuba. The geographer Yaqut described Al Jib in 1225 as having two fortresses standing close together.
Under Ottoman rule Al Jib’s agricultural revenues went to the endowment of Mamluk Sultan Inal. Three Hutaym Bedouin tribes were associated with the village. Their taxes supported the Hasseki Sultan Imaret in Jerusalem. In 1596 Al Jib had 103 households large enough to be divided into four quarters. They paid taxes on various agricultural products as well as goats and beehives.
Edward Robinson visited in 1838. He described it as a village of moderate size with irregularly placed houses. He noted a large building perhaps a castle or tower. The building featured vaulted rooms and large precisely fitted stones indicating antiquity.
The population of Al Jib fluctuated. It was 500 in 1863 and 219 men only in 1870. In 1883 it was described as being on a hill with a central tower and many springs. Olives figs pears apples and vines were cultivated.
Under British Mandate rule the population grew from 465 in 1922 to 643 in 1931. The women of Al Jib produced pottery similar to that made centuries before. In 1945 the population reached 830.
After the 1948 war Al Jib fell under Jordanian rule. Following the 1967 Six-Day War it became occupied by Israel. Today much of Al Jib’s land is classified as Area C under full Israeli control. A separation barrier has further divided the village impacting its residents.
Despite these challenges Al Jib is recognized for its ancient history and cultural heritage. It’s on the list of endangered cultural heritage sites. Efforts are underway to preserve the area’s rich past. Al Jib stands as a living testament to a history that blends the ancient and the modern. It’s a place where the echoes of Gibeon resonate through time.