Nahal Mishmar

The valley or wadi of Nahal Mishmar begins in the Hebron hills, running east towards the Dead Sea.

Nahal Mishmar runs north of the Tze'elim Stream, between Ein Gedi and Masada.

The hoard consisted of 442 decorated objects made of copper and bronze (429 of them), ivory and stone, including 240 mace heads, about 100 scepters, 5 crowns, powder horns, tools and weapons.

[2][3][4][5] Archaeologist David Ussishkin has suggested the hoard was the cultic furniture of the abandoned Chalcolithic Temple of Ein Gedi.

They were members of a sedentary Chalcolithic population who became refugees and their lives ended under tragic circumstances which is indicated by the fact they had numerous injuries and that the wrappings were stained with blood.