Maresha was fortified by Rehoboam, mainly to store food, especially olive oil. In 587, however, the Edomites took over. Maresha is also recognized as the possible home of Herod the Great.
This was taken in the Columbarium Cave otherwise known as the “Pigeon Coop Cave.” The cave was built in the shape of a double cross, and it’s 2,000 niches were used to raise pigeons for cultic purposes until the end of the 3rd century B.C.
