The village was established in 1979 by a group of city-dwellers who had purchased the land from landlords living in neighbouring villages. It was named after the ancient building discovered in the area called Hurvat Klil (lit. Klil Ruins). The village is not connected to the power grid, and all electricity is generated by solar and wind power. There is an olive orchard and press which manufactures organic olive oil, and a microbrewery, Malka, as well as a number of small enterprises such as a bakery and two small restaurants.
