A few meters away from Joreish village south of Nablus lie the ruins of Ateya. Although it is a Palestinian landmark it suffers neglect and possible extinction.
Joreish village population according to the latest statistics is nearly 2000 people in addition to a large number of residents in the diaspora.
A number of old buildings maintain their presence on the east side of Joreish village in spite of diggings and robbery attempts in the past few decades.
Ahmed Tamim a tour guide told the PIC “Khirbat Ateya goes back to the Byzantine age and it was mostly used to grind grain before it was abandoned”. It was then targeted by looters he added.
“There has been a great deal of neglect regarding this place and it should be looked after and saved from extinction” Tamim added.
The flour mill is considered one of the important historical sites which adjoins the shrine of the prophet Dhul-Kifl. The building is six-meter high and covers an area of nearly four dunums and it was used as a mill until 1953.
