Battir village in the Bethlehem district of Palestine is a World Heritage Site for its amazing agricultural terraces and irrigation systems that are over 2000 years old and still in use to this day. This village belongs to all humanity - its unique wonders are our common heritage.

This link was enhanced in May 2016 with the opening of the Palestine Heirloom Seed Library in Battir. Agronomist Vivien Sansour conceived and launched the seed museum. The launch was attended by CORE and the PFTA, who support all agriculture in Palestine and have close ties with the village council of Battir.

Battir has an ancient system of irrigation through a network of channels fed by underground springs and a series of sluice gates which share distribution equitably with the village families in a system that is centuries old. There is a spring fed Roman bath in the center of the village which was full of happy children on this hot day. As a Board member of the PFTA said on seeing these ancient irrigation methods still in use, “I thank the PFTA for making it possible for me to see these wonders in my own country.”

Like all agricultural land and water resources in Palestine, Battir is under threat from the occupier, who wanted to route their illegal Annexation Wall through the village, destroying the irrigation structure and separating farmers from the terraced valley and fields they have cultivated for centuries. The plans are 'frozen' for the moment. Please support Palestinian farmers against injustice – for themselves and for this beauty and history which belong to all humanity.

Two photos of Battir village by Ahmad Alomeri of CORE.