The biblical town of Yatir was inhabited by the Cohanim. Ira and Gever - two of king David’s heroes - were born in Yatir. The Yatir ruins include the remains of an ancient church and an ancient Jewish public building considered to have been a synagogue as it is facing the direction of Jerusalem. It was probably this synagogue which served the small Jewish community of Yatir until it was conquered by the Muslims during the 7th century AD Archaeological diggings are being conducted in the Yatir area by the KKL-JNF in co-operation with the Tel-Aviv University. Young students staying at the Yatir Youth Center help with the diggings. The Yatir Ruins are open to the public all year long, but entrance may be restricted during the summer weeks when archaeological works take place in the site. An ancient Fortress dating back to the time of the Kings was discovered in the Yatir area. Fifty living basements and a synagogue which was active from the 4th until the 7th century AD were found by the fortress. KKL-JNF has prepared access roads leading to The Ani`im Ruins which is open to the public.