Christians and Christianity, Vol. II: Corpus of Christian Sites in Judea 9789654062534

Citation preview

The Fi n ds

CHRISTIANS AND CHRISTIANITY

CORPUS OF CHRISTIAN SITES IN JUDEA

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The Fi n ds

CHRISTIANS AND CHRISTIANITY VOLUME II

CORPUS OF CHRISTIAN SITES IN JUDEA

16

13 14 23 Staff Officer of Archaeology — Civil Administration of Judea and Samaria Israel Antiquities Authority Jerusalem 2012 [ III ]

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4 15

23

Editor: Ayelet Hashahar Malka

English Translation: Edward Levin Copy Editor: Janet Barshalev GIS and Cartography: Yoav Tzionit

Typesetting, Design and Production: Keterpress Enterprises, Jerusalem Plates, Maps and Printing by Keterpress Enterprises, Jerusalem

ISBN 978-965-406-253-4

© 2012 Staff Officer of Archaeology — Civil Administration of Judea and Samaria All rights reserved. This book may not be reproduced in whole or in part, in any form without permission from the publisher.

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This book is dedicated to Noga Carmin and Ayelet Hashahar Malka for their long-standing contribution to the advancement of archaeological research in Judea and Samaria

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CONTENTS Preface

IX

Abbreviations

XI

Corpus of Christian Sites

1

Yitzhak Magen and Evgeni D. Kagan

Corpus Bibliography

321

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Preface This book is the second of five volumes on Christian sites discovered in Judea and Samaria; it discusses the sites discovered in surveys and excavations conducted in Judea from the nineteenth century to the present. The corpus in Judea includes some 200 Christian sites, many more than in Samaria and northern Judea. Judea (the area south of Jerusalem) of the period preceding Christianity differed from Samaria in its population and its historical development. It comprised the Judean Desert, the Hebron Hills, and the northern Negev, and was bounded on the east by the Dead Sea, a sparsely populated area with few settlements. On its south was the desert’s edge, inhabited mainly by the Saracens, nomadic tribes that terrorized the adjoining rural population; and on its west was the Judean Shephelah, which had been densely settled by Jews, mainly during the time of BarKokhba, and had suffered greatly as a result of the revolt. The inhabitants of southern Judea, mainly in the Hebron Hills, were the Idumeans, who had penetrated the area in the late First Temple period, following the Assyrian and Babylonian conquests. These Idumeans were descendants of the Edomites, who in turn, according to the Torah, were descendants of Esau, Isaac’s son. The historical sources relate that these Idumeans were converted to Judaism by John Hyrcanus I. In our opinion, the conversion of the Idumeans was unsuccessful, and they continued in their ancient religion, which had incorporated traditions from the Torah over the course of time. During the Second Temple period the region and its Idumean inhabitants suffered attacks by the Jewish rebels, headed by Simeon Bar Giora. After the destruction of the Second Temple, the surviving Jews fled from Jerusalem and dwelled in the many caves in the Hebron Hills and the Judean Shephelah. This Jewish remnant, which survived the Bar-Kokhba Revolt, established a number of Jewish settlements on the desert’s edge, as attested by historical sources like the accounts by Eusebius, along with archaeological testimonies: the presence of Jewish synagogues in the southern Hebron Hills. The Christian penetration of southern Judea was different from that of Samaria and northern Judea. Judea’s ethnic composition differed from Samaria’s, and consequently the penetration of Christianity in Judea was not accompanied by revolts like the Samaritan uprisings. With the exception of Bethlehem, the traditional birthplace of Jesus, no sacred settlements connected with the life of Jesus were discovered in the Hebron Hills, an area to which Jesus probably did not come. In addition, no Roman city under Roman rule and with Roman culture was found in the Hebron Hills that could have served as a base for Christian expansion in the area. Most of the churches established in the Hebron Hills belonged to monasteries, a majority of which were built in Roman fortresses erected in the late fourth–early fifth century CE. The sparse population that accepted Christianity in the Hebron Hills was pagan and Idumean. Many contributed to the completion of this book. I wish to thank: the employees of the Israel Antiquities Authority and its Director, Mr. Shuka Dorfman, for their considerable assistance in this publication; Silvia Krapiwko, of the Israel Antiquities Authority Archives, for her extensive help in collecting material from the archive of the British Mandate period; the Archaeological Survey of Israel, the archaeologists of the Staff Officer of Archaeology—Civil Administration of Judea and Samaria, the Israel Antiquities Authority, the Institute of Archaeology of the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, the Institute of Archaeology of the Tel Aviv University and the Archaeological Division of Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, and to the researchers who made their research available to us and allowed the use of photographs and plans from their

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excavations (a detailed list of figures and sources appears on pp. 3–9). Special thanks to: Yoav Tzionit, for his considerable assistance and limitless devotion in the publication of this volume; Dr. Leah Di Segni, for her assistance with reading the Greek inscriptions; Yael Givol-Barzilai for her assistance in editing this volume; sketch artist Anna Tzipyn; surveyors Pavel Gertopsky and Felix Portnov; graphic artists Alina Pikovsky-Yoffe and Oleg Drega; photographers Shlomi Ammami, Assaf Peretz and Lior Shapira. Finally, I give special thanks to Ayelet Hashahar Malka, the editor who took upon herself this impossible task, which she concluded with such great success. May they all be blessed, Dr. Yitzhak Magen Head of Judea and Samaria Publications

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ABBREVIATIONS AASOR

Annual of the American Schools of Oriental Research

AB

Analecta Bollandiana

ADAJ

Annual of the Department of Antiquities of Jordan

BA

Biblical Archaeologist

BAIAS

Bulletin of the Anglo-Israel Archaeological Society

BAR

Biblical Archaeology Review

BASOR

Bulletin of the American Schools of Oriental Research

BJPES

Bulletin of the Jewish Palestine Exploration Society

BZ

Byzantinische Zeitschrift

CCSL

Corpus Christianorum Series Latina

CNI

Christian News from Israel

CSEL

Corpus Scriptorum Ecclesiasticorum Latinorum

DACL

Dictionnaire d’archéologie chrétienne et de liturgie

DOP

Dumbarton Oaks Papers

EI Eretz-Israel ESI

Excavations and Surveys in Israel

GCS

Die griechischen christlichen Schriftsteller der ersten drei Jahrhunderte, Kirchenväter. Kommission der königlichen Preussischen Akademie der Wissenschaften

ḤA

Ḥadashot Arkheologiyot

IAA

Israel Antiquities Authority

IEJ

Israel Exploration Journal

JPOS

Journal of the Palestine Oriental Society

JRA

Journal of Roman Archeology

JSP

Judea and Samaria Publications

JSRF

Judea and Samaria Record Files, in the archive of Staff Officer Archaeology in Civil Administration of Judea and Samaria (unpublished).

LA

Liber Annuus

LCL

Loeb Classical Library

MNDPV

Mittheilungen und Nachrichten des deutschen Paläestina-Vereins

NEAEHL

E. Stern, A. Lewinson-Gilboa and J. Aviram (eds.), New Encyclopedia of Archaeological Excavations in the Holy Land, Jerusalem 1993; E. Stern, H. Geva, A. Paris and J. Aviram (eds.), New Encyclopedia of Archaeological Excavations in the Holy Land. Supplementary Volume, Jerusalem 2008.

OC

Oriens Christianus

OCA

Orientalia Christiana Analecta

OCP

Orientalia Christiana Periodica

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PEF

Palestine Exploration Fund

PEFA

Palestine Exploration Fund Annual

PEFQSt

Palestine Exploration Fund Quarterly Statement

PEQ

Palestine Exploration Quarterly

PJ

Palästinajahrbuch des Deutschen evangelischen Instituts für Altertumswissenschaft des Heiligen Landes zu Jerusalem

QDAP

Quarterly of the Department of Antiquities of Palestine

RB

Revue Biblique

ROC

Revue de l’Orient Chrétien

SEG

Supplementum Epigraphicum Graecum

SHJ

Survey of Highland of Juda. Made by A. Ofer in the year 1982 (license no. 297), and files of Archaeological Survey 1967–1968 in the archive of Staff Officer Archaeology in Civil Administration of Judea and Samaria.

SRF

IAA Archive, British Mandate Scientific Record Files.

SWP II–III

C.R. Conder and H.H. Kitchener, Survey of Western Palestine II: Samaria; III: Judea, London 1882–83.

Tabula

Y. Tsafrir, L. Di Segni and J. Green, Tabula Imperii Romani Iudaea Palaestina. Eretz Israel in the Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine Periods, Jerusalem 1994.

ZDPV

Zeitschrift des Deustschen Palästina-Vereins

Adamnani,

Adamnani, De locis sanctis libri tres, P. Geyer (ed.), in Itinera Hierosolymitana saeculi IIII–VIII (CSEL 39), Vienna 1898, pp. 219–297.

Ant.

Josephus, Jewish Antiquities (LCL), H.St.J. Thackeray, R. Marcus and L. Feldman (transls.), Cambridge 1930–65.

Antonini Placentini Itinerarium

Antonini Placentini Itinerarium, P. Geyer (ed.), in Itineraria et alia geographica (CCSL 175), Turnhout 1965, pp. 127–153.

Chron.

Chronicles

De Locis Sanctis

Petrus Diaconus, Liber de locis sanctis, I. Fraipont and P. Weber (eds.), in Itineraria et alia geographica (CCSL 175), Turnhout 1965, pp. 37–47; 93–103; 252–278.

Ep.

Hieronymus, Sancti Eusebii Hieronymi Epistulae. I–II, I. Hilberg (ed.), CSEL 54, 55, Vienna 1996.

Gen.

Genesis

Georgius Cyprius

Georgius Cyprius, Georgii Cyprii Descriptio orbis romani. Accedit Leonis imperatoris Diatyposis genuina adhuc inedita, H. Gelzer (ed.), Leipzig 1890.

Hieronymus On.

Hieronymus, Das Onomastikon der Biblischen Ortsnamen, mit der lateinischen bersetzung (GCS11.i), E. Klostermann (ed.), Leipzig 1904.

Locis Sanctis

Itinerarium Itinerarium Burdigalense, P. Geyer and O. Kuntz (eds.), in Itineraria et alia Burdigalense geographica (CCSL 175), Turnhout 1965, pp. 1–26. Itinerarium Egeriae

Itinerarium Egeriae, E. Franceschini and R. Weber (eds.), in Itineraria et alia geographica (CCSL 175), Turnhout 1965, pp. 35–90.

Joannes Phocas

Joannes Phocas, The Pilgrimage of Johannes Phocas in the Holy Land (in the Year 1185 A.D.) (Palestine Pilgrims’ Text Society V), A. Stewart (transl.), London 1896.

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Josh.

Joshua

JT

Jerusalem Talmud

Life of Cyriacus

Cyril of Scythopolis, The Life of Cyriacus, in Lives of the Monks of Palestine, R.M. Price (transl.), Kalamazoo, Mich. 1991, pp. 245–261.

Life of Euthymius

Cyril of Scythopolis, The Life of Euthymius, in Lives of the Monks of Palestine, R.M. Price (transl.), Kalamazoo, Mich. 1991, pp. 1–92.

Life of John

Cyril of Scythopolis, The Life of John the Hesychast, in Lives of the Monks of Palestine, R.M. Price (transl.), Kalamazoo, Mich. 1991, pp. 220–244.

Life of Sabas

Cyril of Scythopolis, The Life of Sabas, in Lives of the Monks of Palestine, R.M. Price (transl.), Kalamazoo, Mich. 1991, pp. 93–219.

Life of Theodosius

Cyril of Scythopolis, The Life of Theodosius, in Lives of the Monks of Palestine, R.M. Price (transl.), Kalamazoo, Mich. 1991, pp. 262–268.

Life of Theognius

Cyril of Scythopolis, The Life of Theognius, in Lives of the Monks of Palestine, R.M. Price (transl.), Kalamazoo, Mich. 1991, pp. 269–272.

M

Mishnah

I Macc.

I Maccabees (Anchor Bible), J.A. Goldstein (transl.), New York 1977.

Matt.

Matthew

Neh.

Nehemiah

On.

Eusebius, Das Onomastikon der Biblischen Ortsnamen, mit der lateinischen bersetzung (GCS11.i), E. Klostermann (ed.), Leipzig 1904.

Pliny, NH

Pliny, Natural History II (LCL), H. Rackham (transl.), London 1942.

Sam.

Samuel

Theodosius, Terrae Sanctae

Theodosii, De situ terrae sanctae, P. Geyer (ed.), in Itineraria et alia geographica (CCSL 175), Turnhout 1965, pp. 115–125.

Vita Charitonis

Vita Charitonis, G. Garitte (ed.), “La Vie prémetaphrastique de S. Chariton,” Bulletin de l’Institut Historique Belge de Rome 21 (1941): 16–46.

Vita Constantini

Eusebius, Vita Constantini, I.A. Heikel (ed.), Über das Leben Constantins (GCS 7), Leipzig 1902.

Vita Theognii

Paulus Elusinus, Vita Sancti Theognii, J. van den Gheyn (ed.), AB 10 (1891): 78–118.

War

Josephus, The Jewish War (LCL), H.St.J. Thackeray (transl.), Cambridge 1927–28.

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CORPUS OF CHRISTIAN SITES Yitzhak Magen and Evgeni D. Kagan

with contributions by Yoav Tzionit, Ayelet Hashahar Malka, Avia Ben-Lulu, Yuval Peleg

Corpus of Christian sites

List of Figures and Their Sources We wish to thank all the institutions and researchers who contributed the photographs and plans from their excavations and research that were presented in this corpus. We wish to note that everyone responded willingly to our request. Thanks to: the Staff Officer of Archaeology—Civil Administration of Judea and Samaria and its researchers; the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) and its researchers; the Institute of Archaeology of The Hebrew University in Jerusalem and its researchers; the Institute of Archaeology of the Tel Aviv University and its researchers; the Department of Land of Israel Studies and Archaeology of the Bar-Ilan University and its researchers; the Archaeological Division of Ben-Gurion University of the Negev and its researchers; the Archaeological Survey of Israel; and to the Institute of Studium Biblicum Franciscanum. Listed below are the plans, illustrations, and photos according to the order of the sites in the corpus. The plans presented in the corpus are schematic, some adapted from detailed plans. The archive of the Staff Officer of Archaeology—Civil Administration of Judea and Samaria will be referred to as SOAJS, its record files, as JSRF, and the series of publications on Judea and Samaria, as JSP. Excavation and documentation record files of the Mandatory Archive in the IAA will be referred to as SRF. In cases where there are illustrations or photos in the same figure from different sources, the upper one will be marked U*, the one at the bottom, B*, the one on the left, L*, and the one on the right, R*. 165. Kh. Ni ʿana

173. Kh. el-Maṣani ʿ

165. IAA, Torge 2010: Fig. 2.

173.1. IAA, Mazor 2000: 18*. 173.2. IAA Archive, SRF 137.

166. Kh. el-Miṣbah

166. IAA Archive, SRF 141.

175. Kh. Sheikh Badr

175. Courtesy of Prof. Asher Ovadiah; Ovadiah and de Silva 1982: 139.

167. Kh. el-Laṭaṭin

167.1. JSP 15: Greenfeld 2012: 418, Fig. 1. 167.2. JSP 15: Greenfeld 2012: 419, Fig. 2. 167.3. JSP 15: Greenfeld 2012: 420, Fig. 6.

176. Jerusalem, Third Wall

176.1. Baramki 1938: 56, Fig. 1. 176.2. IAA, Tzaferis et al. 1991: 131, Fig. 143. 176.3. IAA, Tzaferis et al. 1991: 131, Fig. 144. 176.4. IAA, Shukron and Savariego 1993: 79, Fig. 80. 176.5. IAA, Amit, Wolff and Gorzalezany 1993: 82, Fig. 85. 176.6. IAA, Amit, Wolff and Gorzalezany 1993: 81, Fig. 82. 176.7. IAA, Amit, Wolff and Gorzalezany 1993: 80, Fig. 81.

168. ʿImwas

168.1. Courtesy of Dr. Mikko Louhivuori; Fleckenstein, Louhivuori and Riesner 2003: 229. 168.2, 168.3, 168.4. IAA Archive, SRF 69.

169. Deir el-Azhar

169.1. Vincent 1907: 415. 169.2, 169.3. IAA Archive, SRF 45.

178. Mt. Scopus (East)

178.1. IAA, Amit, Seligman and Zilberbod 2000: 95, Fig. 137. 178.2. IAA, Amit, Seligman and Zilberbod 2000: 96, Fig. 139.

170. Beit Surik

170.1, 170.2. IAA Archive, SRF 33. 170.3. Vincent 1901: 446.

179. Ras Abu-Subeitan

171. Motza

180. ʿEin Kerem

179.1, 179.2. Courtesy of Yuval Peleg.

171.1. Courtesy of Prof. Asher Ovadiah; Ovadiah and de Silva 1982: 157. 171.2U*. IAA Archive, SRF 151. 171.2B*. Based on Bagatti 2002a: Pl. 50, Fig 3.

180.1. Saller 1946: 118, Fig. 24. 180.2. Bagatti 1948: Fig. 16. 180.3. SOAJS Archive.

181. Monastery of the Holy Cross

172. Ramat Polin

181.1. Courtesy of Prof. Vassilios Tzaferis; Tzaferis 1990: 18. 181.2. SOAJS Archive.

172. Courtesy of Prof. Amos Kloner; Arav, Di Segni and Kloner 1990: 314, Fig. 2.

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Corpus of Christian sites

182. Y.M.C.A. Monastery

201. ʿEin el-Jedide

182. Illife 1935: 71.

201.1. IAA Archive, SRF 51. 201.2. Hamilton 1935: 113.

184. Mamilla

Courtesy of Prof. Ronny Reich. 184.1. Reich 1993: 108. 184.2. Reich 1996: 29.

202. ʿEin el-Ḥanniya

185. Naḥal Qidron—Tomb of the Virgin

203. Beit Ṣafafa

188. Jerusalem, Ketef Hinnom

204. Naḥal Qidron

202.1. Baramki 1934: 114. 202.2, 202.3, 202.4. IAA Archive, SRF 50.

185. Bagatti 1972a: 246.

203. Landau 1957: 41.

188.1. Based on Barkay 2000: 87. 188.2. IAA, Barkay 2000: 89.

204.1. IAA, Barbé and Zelinger 2005: Fig. 1. 204.2. IAA, Barbé and Zelinger 2005: Fig. 2. 204.3. IAA, Barbé and Zelinger 2005: Fig. 3.

189. Abu Tor

205. Kh. el-Jiljil

189. Schneider 1933: 153.

205. Courtesy of Prof. Shimon Gibson; Strus and Gibson 2005: 36, Fig. 8.

190. El-ʿEizariya

190.1. Based on Saller 1957: 10, Fig. 3. 190.2. Saller 1957: 34, Fig. 9.

206. Beit Jimal

206.1. Based on Abel 1919: 244, Fig. 1 and Strus 2003: 483, Fig. 3.2. 206.2, 206.3, 206.4, 206.5, 206.6. SOAJS Archive. 206.7. IAA Archive, SRF 28.

191. Burj el-Aḥmar

191. Saller 1957: 363, Fig. 66.

192. El-Khirbe

207. Deir ʿAsfur

192. JSP 4: Hizmi 2004: 175, Fig. 10.

207. Waliszewski 1994: 567, Fig. 2.

193. Kh. el-Muraṣṣaṣ—monastery of Martyrius 193.1, 193.2, 193.5, 193.6, 193.7. JSP 17, in press. 193.3. Magen 1993: 20. 193.4. Magen 1993: 52.

208. Kh. ʿEin Faṭṭir

194. Khan el-Aḥmar—monastery of Euthymius

209. IAA, Ganor and Ganor 2010: Fig. 1.

208. Strus 2003: 152, Fig. 5.2.

209. Deir Abu ʿAli

194.1, 194.2, 194.3. SOAJS Archive.

210. El-Qabu

195. Kh. Handoma

210.1. IAA, Zissu and Weiss 2008: Fig. 1. 210.2. IAA, Zissu and Weiss 2008: Fig. 2.

195.1. Courtesy of Dr. Ofer Sion: Sion 1992: 281, Fig. 2. 195.2. JSRF 92/13.

211. Beit Jala

196. Deir Mukallik—monastery of Theoctistus 196.1. Hirschfeld 1990: 13, Fig. 13. 196.2, 196.3. IAA Archive, SRF 46.

211.1. IAA Archive, SRF 28. 211.2. Abel 1923: 263, Fig. 2. 211.3. Abel 1923: 268, Fig. 5.

197. ʿEin Abu Maḥmud

212. Kathisma Church

197.1. Courtesy of Prof. Joseph Patrich; Patrich 1995: 129, Fig. 56. 197.2. JSRF 10/14.

212. Courtesy of Dr. Rina Avner; based on Avner 2003: 177, Figs. 4, 7 and Avner 2004 III: 5, Fig. 6.

213. Ramat Raḥel

198. Tel Beth Shemesh

213.1. Aharoni 1956b: 107, Fig. 3. Courtesy of Prof. Oded Lipschits. 213.2. 213.3. Lipschits et al. 2009: 8, Fig. 7.

198.1. Based on Mackenzie 1911: Pl. VIII. 198.2. Mackenzie 1911: Pl. XII.

199. Kh. es-Suyyagh

214. Kh. Umm Leisun

199. Courtesy of Dr. Itamar Taxel; Taxel 2009: 15, Fig. 1.

214.1. IAA, Seligman and Abu Raya 2002: 128, Plan 1. 214.2U*. IAA, Seligman and Abu Raya 2002: 129, Fig. 2. 214.2B*. IAA, Seligman and Abu Raya 2002: 129, Fig. 3.

200. Kh. Deiry

200. IAA, Ein Mor 2009: 142, Fig. 3.

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Corpus of Christian sites

215. Kh. Bureikut

233. Bir el-Qaṭṭar—monastery of the Cave

215. Hirschfeld 1990: 48, Fig. 55.

233.1. Hirschfeld 1990: 40, Fig. 44. 233.2. IAA Archive, SRF 38.

217. Kh. Abu-Ghunneim

234. El-Mird—monastery of Castellion

217. Corbo 1955: 142, Fig. 42.

234.1. Hirschfeld 1992: 54, Fig. 28. 234.2. IAA Archive, SRF 141.

219. Bir el-Qutt

219. Corbo 1955: 112, Fig. 30.

235. Ḥ. Sokho

221. Kh. Siyar el-Ghanam

235.1. IAA Archive. 235.2. IAA, Gudovitch 1996: 18*.

221.1. IAA Archive, SRF 178. 221.2. Corbo 1987.

236. Beit Nattif

222. Church of the Nativity

236.1. Baramki 1935: 119. 236.2, 236.3. IAA Archive, SRF 32.

222.1. IAA Archive, SRF 35. 222.2. Avi-Yonah 1993: 204. 222.3. Avi-Yonah 1993: 206. 222.4. Matson [G. Eric and Edith] Photograph Collection, digital file from original photo (http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/matpc.03152).

237. Kh. ʿEin el-Keniseh 237.1. SWP III: 106. 237.2. JSRF 21/15.

223. Beit Sahur—Shepherds’ Field

238. Kh. Umm er-Rus

Courtesy of Prof. Vassilios Tzaferis. 223.1. Tzaferis 1975: Pl. 22. 223.3. Tzaferis 1975: Pl. 23. 223.2, 223.4, 223.5. SOAJS Archive.

238.1. Based on Vincent 1899: 454. 238.2, 238.4. IAA Archive, SRF 190. 238.3. Macalister 1899: 200.

239. Roglit

224. Deir Dosi—monastery of Theodosius

239. IAA Archive.

224.1. Vincent and Abel 1914: 29, Fig. 4. 224.2, 224.3. IAA Archive, SRF 45.

240. H. Midras

240.1. Courtesy of Amir Ganor; Ganor et al. 2011: 201, Fig. 2. 240.2. IAA, Ganor et al. 2012: Fig. 6.

225. Kh. Jinjas—Heptastomos

225. Based on Hirschfeld 1983: 59 and Hirschfeld 1992: 30, Fig. 10.

241. Kh. Ẓur

241.1. JSP 16: Batz and Sharukh 2012a: 13, Fig. 13. 241.2. JSP 16: Batz and Sharukh 2012a: 9, Fig. 9. 241.3. JSP 16: Batz and Sharukh 2012a: 14, Fig. 14. 241.4. JSP 16: Batz and Sharukh 2012a: 17, Fig. 19.

226. Kh. el-Munṭar—monastery of Scholarius

226. Courtesy of Prof. Joseph Patrich; Patrich 1995: 159, Fig. 67.

227. Kh. ez-Zaraniq—monastery of Jeremias

242. Kh. Ḥubeila

227. Courtesy of Prof. Joseph Patrich; Patrich 1994: 48.

242.1. Abel 1925: 281, Fig. 8:b. 242.2. Based on Vincent 1939: 88, Fig. 1. 242.3. Based on Abel 1925: 279, Fig. 7 and Vincent 1939: Pl. III.

228. Kh. el-Makhrum—monastery of Theognius 228.1. Hirschfeld 1990: 34, Fig. 38. 228.2. IAA Archive, SRF 135.

243. Kh. Beit Sakariyye

229. Kh. Juhzum

243.1, 243.2. JSRF 27/15.

229. Corbo 1955: 158, Fig. 46.

244. Kh. Marsi ʿ

230. El-Burj

244. IAA Archive, SRF 137.

230. Hirschfeld 1990: 43, Fig. 48.

245. Herodion

231. Deir Mar Saba

245.1. Netzer, Birger-Calderon and Feller 1993: 222. 245.2. Netzer, Birger-Calderon and Feller 1993: 226. 245.3. Netzer, Birger-Calderon and Feller 1993: 228. 245.4. SOAJS Archive.

231.1. Hirschfeld 1990: 32, Fig. 36. 231.2, 231.3. SOAJS Archive.

232. Ras el-Baquq—The Small Coenobium

232. Courtesy of Prof. Joseph Patrich; Patrich 1995: 146, Fig. 64.

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Corpus of Christian sites

247. Kh. Bureikut

265. Kh. et-Tina

Courtesy of Prof. Yoram Tsafrir. 247.1. Tsafrir and Hirschfeld 1993: 208. 247.2. Tsafrir and Hirschfeld 1993: 209. 247.3, 247.4, 247.5. SOAJS Archive.

265. Hirschfeld 1990: 66, Fig. 77.

266. Kh. el-Quṣeir—Sousakim

266. Hirschfeld 1992: 221, Fig. 120.

248. Beit Shaʿar

267. Kh. Muʿarrash Baʿra 267.1, 267.2. JSRF 5/17.

248.1. Vincent 1903: 614. 248.2. Based on Vincent 1903: 614, Schneider 1938: 97, Fig. 6 and Philipp 1937: 11. 248.3. Based on Philipp 1937: 11. 248.4. Schneider 1938: 97, Fig. 7.

268. Kh. Beit ʿAlam

268.1, 268.2. IAA Archive, SRF 26.

270. Tarqumiyya

249. Kh. Khureitun—monastery of Chariton

270.1, 270.2. SOAJS Archive, files of Archaeological Survey 1967–1968.

249.1. Hirschfeld 1992: 231, Fig. 128. 249.2. Hirschfeld 1992: 225, Fig. 123.

271. Kh. eṭ-Ṭayyibe

250. ʿEin es-Sakhari

271. IAA Archive, SRF 181.

250.1. Hirschfeld 1990: 63, Fig. 73. 250.2. Hirschfeld 1990: 63, Fig. 73.

272. Kh. es-Ṣafa 272. JSRF 51/17.

251. Kh. ʿEin Dab

251.1. JSP 16: Peleg 2012a: 39, Fig. 2. 251.2. JSP 16: Peleg 2012a: 38, Fig. 1. 251.3. JSP 16: Peleg 2012a: 44, Fig. 13.

273. ʿEin edh-Dhirwe

253. Kh. ʿAsida

274. IAA Archive, SRF 61.

273. Mader 1918: 11, Fig. 1.

274. Ḥalḥul

253.1. Based on Baramki and Avi-Yonah 1934: 18, Pls. IX–XII and photos from SRF 10. 253.2, 253.3. IAA Archive, SRF 10.

275. Kh. Iṣḥa

275. IAA Archive, SRF 70.

254. Kh. Kufin

276. Kh. Daḥ-daḥ

258. Kh. Tekoaʿ

277. Ramet el-ʿAmle

254.1. Baramki 1935: 118. 254.2, 254.3. IAA Archive, SRF 125.

276.1, 276.2, 276.3. SOAJS Archive, files of Archaeological Survey 1967–1968.

258.1. Escobar 1976b: 4, Fig. 7. 258.2, 258.3. IAA Archive, SRF 186. 258.4, 258.5. JSRF 76/15.

277. Based on Mader 1918: 104, Fig. 2.

278. Ramet el-Khalil

278.1. JSP 6: Magen 2008f: 97, Fig. 5. 278.2. JSP 6: Magen 2008f: 99, Fig. 8.

259. Qaṣr Abu Leimun

259.1. Hirschfeld 1985a: 67, Fig. 48. 259.2. JSRF 81/15.

279. Kh. Zeita

279. JSRF 20/17.

260. Qaṣr ʿAntar

280. Kh. Beit ʿAnun

260. Hirschfeld 1990: 78, Fig. 97.

280.1. JSP 16: Magen 2012a: 178, Fig. 1. 280.2. JSP 16: Magen 2012a: 179, Fig. 3. 280.3. JSP 16: Magen 2012a: 179, Fig. 2. 280.4. JSP 16: Magen 2012b: 126, Fig. 7. 280.5. JSP 16: Magen 2012b: 140, Fig. 34. 280.6. JSP 16: Magen 2012b: 123, Fig. 3. 280.7. JSP 16: Magen 2012b: 135, Fig. 25. 280.8. JSP 16: Magen 2012b: 157, Fig. 63.

261. Kh. Rabi ʿa

261. Hirschfeld 1990: 65, Fig. 76.

262. Kh. Umm el-ʿAmed

262. Hirschfeld 1990: 65, Fig. 75.

263. Kh. er-Rubei ʿa

263.1. Hirschfeld 1988–89a: 104, Fig. 92. 263.2. JSRF 96/17.

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Corpus of Christian sites

281. Kh. Abu Rish

299. Kh. ed-Deir

281.1. JSP 16: Magen and Baruch 2012: 187, Fig. 3. 281.2. JSP 16: Magen and Baruch 2012: 188, Fig. 4. 281.3. JSP 16: Magen and Baruch 2012: 189, Fig. 6. 281.4. JSP 16: Magen and Baruch 2012: 191, Fig. 8.

299.1. Hirschfeld 1990: 67, Fig. 79. 299.2, 299.3, 299.4. JSRF 26/18.

300. Kh. Beit ʿAwwa

300.1, 300.3. IAA Archive, SRF 26. 300.2. IAA Archive, SRF 26, illustration based on photo and on SWP III: 321.

282. Kh. ed-Duweir

282.1. SOAJS Archive. 282.2. Batz and Sharukh 2012b: 62, Fig. 1.

301. Dura

283. Qaṣr Khalife

301. SOAJS Archive, files of Archaeological Survey 1967–1968.

283.1. JSP 16: Magen 2012c: 207, Fig. 5. 283.2. JSP 16: Magen 2012c: 211, Fig. 13. 283.3. JSP 16: Magen 2012c: 206, Fig. 4.

302. Kh. el-Ḥarayiq

302.1. IAA Archive, SRF 63. 302.2. JSRF 29/17.

284. Ḥ. Qaṣra

303. Es-Sikke

284. IAA, Kloner 1990: 137, Plan 2.

303. IAA Archive, SRF 177.

285. Kh. el-Firʿa

304. Kh. Ṭawas

285.1, 285.2. JSRF 60/17.

304.1. JSP 16: Peleg 2012c: 229, Fig. 2. 304.2. JSP 16: Peleg 2012c: 228, Fig. 1. 304.3. JSP 16: Peleg 2012c: 232, Fig. 8. 304.4. JSP 16: Peleg 2012c: 235, Fig. 12.

288. Kh. Firjas

288.1, 288.2. JSRF 17/17.

289. Kh. el-Muraq

305. Kharase

289.1, 289.2. JSRF 13/17.

305.1, 305.2. SOAJS Archive, files of Archaeological Survey 1967–1968. 305.3. IAA Archive, SRF 124.

290. ʿEin el-Maʿamudieh

290.1. Steve 1946: 566, Fig. 6. 290.2. Based on Steve 1946: 569, Fig. 8 and photo from SRF 51. 290.3, 290.4, 290.6. JSRF 54/17. 290.5. IAA Archive, SRF 51.

306. Kh. Qilkis

306. JSRF 118/17.

291. Kh. ed-Deir

307. Kh. Umm Ḥalasa

291.1U*, 291.3. JSRF 49/17. 291.1B*. Based on Steve 1946: 563, Fig. 4a. 291.2. Steve 1946: 561, Fig. 3.

307. JSRF 115/17.

308. Kh. el-Qaṣr

294.1. IAA Archive, SRF 162. 294.2. SWP III: 327.

308.1. JSP 16: Magen, Har-Even and Sharukh 2012: 250, Fig. 3. 308.2. JSP 16: Magen, Har-Even and Sharukh 2012: 270, Fig. 35. 308.3. JSP 16: Magen, Har-Even and Sharukh 2012: 251, Fig. 4. 308.4. JSP 16: Magen, Har-Even and Sharukh 2012: 264, Fig. 26.

295. Hebron

309. Deir el-ʿAsal et-Taḥta

294. Tell Rumeida

309. IAA Archive, SRF 45.

295.1, 295.2. SOAJS Archive, files of Archaeological Survey 1967–1968.

310. Kh. Bism

296. Bani Naʿim

296.1, 296.2. IAA Archive, SRF 24.

310.1, 310.4. IAA Archive, SRF 39. 310.2, 310.3. JSRF 59/19.

297. Wadi el-Ḥammam

312. Kh. el-Jawf

312.1. IAA Archive, SRF 74. 312.2, 312.3. JSRF 58/19.

297. Hirschfeld 1990: 69, Fig. 81.

298. El-Qaṣrein

313. Er-Riḥiya

298.1. Hirschfeld 1990: 44, Fig. 50. 298.2. IAA Archive, SRF 153.

313. JSRF 28/19.

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Corpus of Christian sites

315. Kh. Istabul

329. Kh. Khureise

329.1. SWP III: 356. 329.2, 329.4. JSRF 34/19. 329.3. SWP III: 356.

315.1. JSP 16: Peleg and Batz 2012: 304, Fig. 1. 315.2. JSP 16: Peleg and Batz 2012: 305, Fig. 2. 315.3. JSP 16: Peleg and Batz 2012: 306, Fig. 6. 315.4. JSP 16: Peleg and Batz 2012: 310, Fig. 11.

330. Kh. Umm el-ʿAmed

316. Kh. ʿEin Abu Khashabah

330.1, 330.4. JSRF 33/20. 330.2. SOAJS Archive, files of Archaeological Survey 1967–1968. 330.3. Mader 1918: 177, Fig. 7.

316. JSRF 15/20.

317. Kh. Umm Rukba

317.1. Hirschfeld 1990: 14, Fig. 15. 317.2. JSRF 82/17.

335. Kh. el-Quneiṭira

335. Hirschfeld 1990: 72, Fig. 86.

318. Kh. Samrah

336. Kh. es-Simye

318. Kochvi 1972: 145.

336.1, 336.2. IAA Archive, SRF 177.

319. Kh. Abu Sihwaile

338. Kh. el-ʿUzeiz

319. IAA Archive, SRF 4.

338.1, 338.2. IAA Archive, SRF 192.

320. Beit Mirsim

339. Kh. el-Karmil

320.1. IAA, based on Ein Gedy and Golan 2007, Fig. 1. 320.2. IAA Archive, SRF 32.

339.1. Mader 1918: 180, Fig. 8. 339.2, 399.12. JSRF 62/19. 339.3. SOAJS Archive. 339.4. Based on Mader 1918: 182, Fig. 9 and Schneider 1938: 103, Fig. 14. 339.5, 339.6, 339.7, 339.11R*. IAA Archive, SRF 120. 339.8. Based on Marta 1895: 67 and photo from SOAJS Archive, files of Archaeological Survey 1967–1968. 339.9. Schneider 1938: 101, Fig. 12. 339.10. Schneider 1938: 101, Fig. 12. 339.11L*. Schneider 1938: 101, Fig. 13.

321. El-Bira

321.1, 321.3U*, 321.4. JSRF 26/19. 321.2, 321.3B*. SOAJS Archive, files of Archaeological Survey 1967–1968.

322. Kh. Kafr Jul

322.1. JSRF 23/19, illustration based on photo. 322.2, 322.3, 322.4. JSRF 23/19.

323. Duma

340. Ed-Daheriya

323.1, 323.2. JSRF 30/19.

340.1, 340.2, 340.3, 340.4, 340.5, 340.6. SOAJS Archive, files of Archaeological Survey 1967–1968.

324. Karze

324.1, 324.2. SOAJS Archive, files of Archaeological Survey 1967–1968.

342. Kh. Shuweike

342. SOAJS Archive, files of Archaeological Survey 1967–1968.

325. Kh. Umm el-ʿAmed

325.1. Mader 1918: 210, Fig. 10. 325.2, 325.3. IAA Archive, SRF 188.

343. Kh. Deir esh-Shams

326. Kh. Beit ʿAmra

344. Kh. Deir el-Lauz

327. Kh. el-Munṭar

345. Kh. ʿAnab el-Kabir

343. JSRF 69/19.

326. IAA Archive, SRF 26.

344. JSRF 49/19.

327.1. Based on SWP III: 377. 327.2. IAA Archive, SRF 143.

345.1. JSP 16: Magen, Peleg and Sharukh 2012a: 333, Fig. 2. 345.2. JSP 16: Magen, Peleg and Sharukh 2012a: 335, Fig. 4. 345.3. JSP 16: Magen, Peleg and Sharukh 2012a: 343, Fig. 16. 345.4. JSP 16: Magen, Peleg and Sharukh 2012a: 369, Fig. 47. 345.5. JSP 16: Magen, Peleg and Sharukh 2012a: 348, Fig. 22.

328. Yaṭṭa

328.1. SOAJS Archive, files of Archaeological Survey 1967–1968, illustration based on photo. 328.2, 328.4, 328.5, 328.6. SOAJS Archive, files of Archaeological Survey 1967–1968. 328.3. Abel and Barrois 1929: 584, Fig. 3:a,d,e.

346. Rujm Jureida

346.1. JSP 16: Magen, Peleg and Sharukh 2012b: 399, Fig. 2. 346.2. JSP 16: Magen, Peleg and Sharukh 2012b: 401, Fig. 5. 346.3. JSP 16: Magen, Peleg and Sharukh 2012b: 419, Fig. 29. 346.4. JSP 16: Magen, Peleg and Sharukh 2012b: 420, Fig. 30.

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Corpus of Christian sites

347. Kh. Umm Deimine

356. Ghuweine el-Fawqa 356.1, 356.2. JSRF 38/19.

347.1. JSP 6: Magen 2008c: 226, Fig. 14. 347.2. JSP 16: Magen, Batz and Sharukh 2012: 439, Fig. 4. 347.3. JSP 16: Magen, Batz and Sharukh 2012: 451, Fig. 19. 347.4. JSP 16: Magen, Batz and Sharukh 2012: 456, Fig. 27.

357. Khallat Abu Ḍabaḥ

357.1, 357.2, 357.3, 357.4, 357.5. JSRF 39/19.

348. Deir el-Hawa

360. Masada—monastery of Marda

349. Deir el-Ghawi

361. Kh. Ḥur

350. Kh. Zanuṭa

362. Tell es-Saʿwa

353. Kh. Tatrit

363. IAA, based on Govrin 1991: 98, Fig. 1, lower part.

348.1, 348.2. IAA Archive, SRF 45. 348.3. JSRF 10/19.

360.1. Hirschfeld 2001–02: 126, Fig. 5. 360.2. Hirschfeld 2001–02: 132, Fig. 11.

349.1, 349.3. IAA Archive, SRF 45. 349.2. JSRF 19/19.

361.1. IAA, Govrin 1991: 58, Fig. 3. 361.2. IAA, Govrin 1991: 58, Fig. 2.

350.1. JSP 6: Magen 2008c: 218, Fig. 2. 350.2. JSRF 31/19.

362. IAA, Govrin 1991: 89, Fig. 2.

363. Kh. Saʿwa

353.1, 353.2, 353.3, 353.4. JSRF 9/19.

364. Kh. el-Quṣeife

354. Kh. Yattir

364.1, 364.3, 364.4, 364.5, 364.7. IAA Archive, SRF 126. 364.2. Mader 1918: 226, Fig. 11. 364.6. Mader 1918: 227, Fig. 12.

354.1. IAA Archive, SRF 10. 354.2. Eshel, Magness and Shenhav 2000b: 160, Fig. 7. 354.3, 354.4. SOAJS Archive, files of Archaeological Survey 1967–1968.

We made every effort to find those with copyrights to all material taken from other sources and apologize for any omission or error. Any errors will be corrected in the next edition.

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Corpus of Christian sites

165. Khirbet Niʿana (Nîʿāné) Ref. IOG: 14798 14234 Ref. ITM: 19798 64234 Ref. UTM: 68699 52810 capital bearing, in Greek, the inscription “One is the only God,”4 an inscription common in churches and Jewish and Samaritan synagogues.5 Stratum II, attributed to the sixth and seventh centuries CE, contained a structure with an apsidal eastern wall and remains of a white mosaic floor in the apse. The structure was built over a larger building dated to the first half of the sixth century CE. In this phase the synagogue fell into disuse. The excavator defines the structure as a church, and argues that the local population converted to Christianity. She supports this hypothesis with the absence of pig bones in an examination of the faunal remains at the site.6 We doubt that the discovered structure is a church and that the settlement ceased to be Samaritan. Apses were also discovered in Samaritan synagogues, for example in Kh. Samara and Ḥ. Migdal, where the structures face east, toward Mt. Gerizim.7 Signs of destruction and conflagration at the site might be a consequence of the Samaritan rebellion. An additional Samaritan synagogue discovered close to the site is that in Shaʿalvim.8

The site is located in the northern Shephelah, between Kibbutz Naʿan in the west and Moshav Petaḥya to the southeast. A secondary road between Beth GuvrinEleutheropolis and Lod-Diospolis passed to the west of the site. A number of excavations, mostly salvage excavations, were conducted at the edges of the site.1 Two salvage excavations were conducted in 2004–2005, west of Tell Ni ʿana, just west of the Lod– Naʿan railroad line. Area B yielded remains of three different strata from the fifth to seventh centuries CE. Stratum IV, dated to the fifth century CE, contained dwellings and part of a public structure identified as a synagogue, probably Samaritan, in which various mosaic segments were revealed. The medallion in the northeastern segment has the Greek inscription “May Moses be remembered” in its center.2 Moses is the only prophet recognized by the Samaritans, which explains his great importance in their religion and historical memory.3 The laying of railroad tracks close to the site in 1893 led to the discovery of a bronze bowl bearing a decoration, in relief, of a seven-branched menorah and a Torah ark with a gable. Also found was a column

For the excavations, see: Clermont-Ganneau 1882–84: 63–64, 76–80, 85; Bashkin 1993; Sion 2007; Tsioni 2008; Torge 2010. See also: Amitai-Preiss 2007; Berman 2007; Gorin-Rosen and Katsnelson 2007; Sussman 2007; de Vincenz and Sion 2007. 2 Torge 2010. 3 Crown, Pummer and Tal 1993: 160–162. 4 Clermont-Ganneau 1882–84: 78–79; Ilan 1991: 286–287. 5 The mosaic floor in the Samaritan synagogue at El-Khirbe contains inscriptions with this text, as well as a depiction of a seven-branched menorah and a temple facade (occasionally reflecting the Holy Ark); see Magen 2008a: 133–137, 139–141, nos. 4–6. An inscription with this wording was also found at Mt. Gerizim; see Magen 2008a: 120–122, nos. 4, 5, 7. 6 Torge 2010. 7 Magen 2008a: 142–167. See also Ḥ. Migdal (site no. 17) in volume I. 8 Magen 2010: 164–165.

1

165. Kh. Niʿana, Greek inscription bearing the name Moses in the synagogue mosaic floor.

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Corpus of Christian sites

166. Khirbet el-Miṣ bah Ref. IOG: 15650 14350 Ref. ITM: 20650 64350 Ref. UTM: 69548 52943 carpet contains a Greek inscription set in an octagon. Two additional carpets were found in the east of the hall: one, discovered in its entirety, was a white mosaic surrounded by a frame; south of it was a partly exposed mosaic decorated with a geometric pattern. The floor on the east of the hall was also decorated with crosses. The structure was most probably a monastery.1

The village is located on a slope, 2 km southwest of the village of Beit ʿUr et-Taḥta. An excavation conducted in 1941 remains unpublished. The excavation report, in the Mandatory Archive (IAA Archive), contains a plan and photographs. Remains of walls and segments of a mosaic, apparently part of a large building, were uncovered. A large hall, northwest–southeast in orientation, was most likely divided by columns, traces of which were found in the mosaic floor. Two of the colorful hall mosaic carpets are decorated with geometric patterns; the northern

For the excavation, see SRF 141. See the survey, Magen and Finkelstein 1993: 119–120, no. 132.

1

166. Kh. el-Miṣbah, central hall mosaic floor; northern carpet bearing a Greek inscription, view from the north.

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Corpus of Christian sites

167. Khirbet el-Laṭaṭin (Kh. el-Laṭāṭīn; Kh. el-Latātīn; Kh. el-Lattātīn ) Ref. IOG: 16600 14174 Ref. ITM: 21600 64174 Ref. UTM: 70501 52787 The rectangular structure (20.6×17.8 m) contains a basilica church exhibiting two building phases: the late fifth century CE, and the sixth and early seventh century CE. The church (20.6×12.2 m) includes a narthex that leads to the prayer hall through three entrances. The church’s inner apse is flanked by two pastophoria. Frescoes evidently covered the apse walls. The narthex, nave, and aisles are paved in white mosaic enclosed by a black frame; the pastophoria are paved in white mosaic. In the center of the bema, an altar table base with a reliquary niche sunken in the mosaic floor was found. The mosaic, almost entirely preserved, is decorated

The site, away station with a church, is located on a plateau north of Givʿat Zeʾev, on the ancient road between Jerusalem and the Shephelah of Lod.1 Surveys of the site revealed: remains of walls, a large rectangular structure whose rooms are arranged around a courtyard, lime kilns, a cistern, a hewn pool, caves, and a Second Temple period tomb.2 Several excavations were conducted at the site. The 1993 excavations uncovered building remains, some belonging to the monastery, and an oil press in a cave south of the surveyed rectangular structure.3 In 1995, excavations were resumed in the rectangular structure, and were completed in 2007.4

167.1. Kh. el-Laṭaṭin, the church, view from the west.

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Corpus of Christian sites

which are preserved, and the remains of a Greek inscription framed in a tabula ansata.6 In the Early Islamic period, the structure continued in use, serving inhabitants that engaged in olive cultivation and oil production. An oil press was built inside the church and rooms were erected over the chapel.

with geometric patterns.5 North of the church is a large chapel, erected during the sixth century CE. It includes a hall (13.6×5 m), and a room (5×3.5 m) to its east that served as a bema. An ambo was installed in the hall, northwest of the bema. The chapel is paved with a partially preserved delicate and colorful mosaic decorated with faunal depictions, some of

0

167.2. Kh. el-Laṭaṭin, general plan of the church and chapel.

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5

m

Corpus of Christian sites

The site was identified by a number of scholars as the way station at the ninth milestone (To Ennaton; Τοœννατον) that appears in the Madaba Map; see: Thomsen 1907: 61; Alt 1927: 25; Abel 1933–38 II: 318; Avi-Yonah 1954: 60, no. 55; Tabula: 251. 2 See the surveys: SWP III: 118; Dalman 1913: 18; Kuhl and Meinhold 1929: 115; Kochavi 1972: 181, no. 112; Magen and Finkelstein 1993: 69, no. 60. See also SRF 126.

The salvage excavation was undertaken under the direction of M. Yitah (ref. no. Judea and Samaria 570), on behalf of the Staff Officer of Archaeology—Civil Administration of Judea and Samaria; the findings have not yet been published. 4 For the excavation, see: Selinger 1998: 77–83; Greenfeld 2012. 5 Selinger 1998: 80, Fig. 5; Magen 2010: 213; Britt 2012. 6 Greenfeld 2012: 421, 423–425; Di Segni 2012a.

1

3

167.3. Kh. el-Laṭaṭin, the church chancel, view from the west.

168. ʿImwas (ʿAmwas; ʿAmwās; ʾAmwâs; ʾAmouas; ʿImwās) Ref. IOG: 14907 13853 Ref. ITM: 19907 63853 Ref. UTM: 68815 52431 This Roman city in the Shephelah, on the ancient road between Jerusalem and Jaffa-Ioppe, is identified with the town of Emmaus (Έμμαοῦς), mentioned in Maccabees (I Macc. 3:40, 57; 4:3), in the Mishnah (M Kerithoth 3:7), and in Josephus where it is mentioned as the capital of a toparchy in Judea (War 3:55).1 In the third century CE it became the city of

Nicopolis. Eusebius (On. 90:15) and Hieronymus (Ep. 108, 8) identified Emmaus with the place where Jesus was revealed to two of his followers (Luke 24:13). A basilica church is depicted in the Madaba Map under the name of the city.2 Two basilica churches were uncovered in excavations conducted at the site in 1875 and in the 1920s.3 The

[17]

Corpus of Christian sites

triapsidal southern basilica church (46.4×24.4 m) was built in part over a Roman villa. Church access was through three entrances in the western wall. There were two additional entrances, in the southern and northern walls of the prayer hall. Two rows of 13 columns divided the prayer hall into a nave and two aisles. Seven windows were installed in both the northern and southern walls. The central apse was external and polygonal, the two additional apses, internal and apsidal. No evidence was found of a chancel area.4 Segments of a mosaic floor were unearthed in the west of the church; and a segment of a colorful mosaic floor of geometrical patterns and floral and faunal decorations was found in the west of the northern aisle. The latter mosaic contains a partially preserved Greek

inscription inside a medallion.5 The church is dated to the late fifth and early sixth century CE.6 A church of smaller dimensions was built over the church in the Crusader period. To the north is an additional church (18×10 m), whose narthex was entered through an entrance in the western wall, flanked on either side by a column followed by a window. Three entrances led from the narthex to the prayer hall, which was divided by two rows of six columns. The northern wall contained three windows, the southern wall, two, with an entrance between them. The church apse was internal. The mosaic hall floor had geometric patterns and floral and faunal decorations. A Greek inscription in a tabula ansata was found in the east of the southern aisle.7 The

0

168.1. ʿImwas, general plan of the southern and northern churches.

[18]

6

m

Corpus of Christian sites

church is dated to the sixth century CE. Adjoining the church to the east is a baptistery with an entrance from either side of the apse and an additional one from the southern wall. The baptistery contained two rows of two columns. In its east is an internal apse containing two baptismal fonts: one, of cruciform shape, cut in the rock; the other, smaller and round. The baptistery is paved with a mosaic consisting of medallions with animal depictions, geometric decorations, a cluster of vine scrolls, and flowers. The mosaic bears signs of iconoclasm.8 Remains of an inscription in a tabula ansata were found close to the southern entrance.9 Concerning the site identification, see: Abel 1933–38 II: 173, 314–316; Avi-Yonah 1976: 55; 1984: 105–106; Bagatti 2002a: 180–183; Tabula: 119–120. See also: Reeg 1989: 45–47, 210, 493–494; Fleckenstein, Louhivuori and Riesner 2003; Thiede 2005. 2 Avi-Yonah 1954: 64, no. 74. 3 For the excavations, see: Guillemot 1886; Vincent 1926: 117–121; 1936a; 1948; Vincent and Abel 1932. Later excavations at the site uncovered a system of Roman and Byzantine aqueducts and bathhouses. See: Gichon 1978: 48–49; 1979; 1986–87; Hirschfeld 1978; 2002. For the surveys, see: Guérin 1868–69 I: 293–308; SWP III: 63–69. See also: Clermont-Ganneau 1882–84: 16–38; 1884: 189–190; Schick 1884; Bagatti 1971a: 158–162; Avi-Yonah 1993a; Shallev 1994. 1

168.3. ʿImwas, architectural elements in secondary use.

168.4. ʿImwas, capital found at the site. Ovadiah 1970: 63–64, no. 53. See also Ovadiah and de Silva 1982: 122, no. 1. 5 Vincent and Abel 1932: 198–199, Fig. 87, Pl. VII; AviYonah 1934: 53, no. 346; Bagatti 1959. 6 The excavators dated this structure to the third century CE (Vincent and Abel 1932: 170–180). This dating is not accepted by scholarly research; see: Crowfoot 1935: 45–57; Bagatti 1971a: 160–161; Schwartz 1986: 123, note 20; Ovadiah and de Silva 1982: 122, no. 1; Avi-Yonah 1993a: 387. For a discussion of this question, see: Shallev 1994: 115–116. 7 Vincent and Abel 1932: 166–167, Fig. 77; Avi-Yonah 1934: 53, no. 346. 8 Vincent and Abel 1932: 237–245, Pls. XVI–XVII; Ovadiah 1970: 64–65, no. 54. 9 Vincent and Abel 1932: 155–156, Pl. XVIII; Avi-Yonah 1934: 53, no. 346. 4

168.2. ʿImwas, stone lintel adorned with a cross in secondary use in later construction.

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Corpus of Christian sites

169. Deir el-Azhar (Deir al-ʿAzar; Deir Azhar; dēr el-ʿāzār) Ref. IOG: 15969 13522 Ref. ITM: 20969 63522 Ref. UTM: 69884 52122 The site is located on the road between Jaffa-Ioppe and Jerusalem, on the outskirts of Abu Gosh. Most scholars identify the site with biblical Kiriath Jearim (Josh. 9:17, 60; 18:14–15; I Sam. 6:21, etc.).1 Kiriath Jearim (Cariathiarim; Κaριaθιaρείμ) is mentioned by Eusebius, who states that it is 9 Roman miles from Jerusalem (On. 48:22; 114:23). Petrus Diaconus (De Locis Sanctis L2) relates that a church was built there.2 The site was excavated in 1907, revealing a basilica church (24.5×17 m).3 The church, dated to the second half of the fifth century CE, was destroyed in the Early Islamic period. Its walls are of building stones in secondary use. Two entrances, from the south and west, lead to the prayer hall, which is divided by two rows of five columns resting on stylobates. The apse was flanked by two pastophoria, entered from the aisles.4 The church was paved in a mosaic decorated with geometric patterns and crosses, and a blank tabula ansata in the apse floor. The atrium was paved in a mosaic of white tesserae with cross decorations.5 The site also yielded tombs, cisterns, and an oil press.6 The excavator identified the site as a monastery, but this is doubtful; and it might be a church, built on the main road for travelers.

0

6

m

169.1. Deir el-Azhar, general plan of the church.

Concerning the site identification, see: Vincent 1907: 417; Cooke 1925; Abel 1934: 351; Avi-Yonah 1976: 74; Wilkinson 1977: 163–164; Bagatti 2002a: 173–177; Tabula: 100. The surveyors of the Survey of Western Palestine identified Kiriath Jearim with Kh. ʾErma; see SWP III: 43–50. 2 See also: Wilkinson 1981: 186–188; Limor 1998: 121, 178, note 29. 3 For the excavations, see Vincent 1907. See the surveys: Guérin 1868–69 I: 62–71; Abel 1934: 349–352. See also: Vincent 1902; Horning 1909: 131; Abel 1914: 461, no. 41; Lauffs 1915; Mayer 1932: 86; Milik 1960: 577, no. 66. 4 Ovadiah 1970: 18–19, no. 5. 5 Avi-Yonah 1933: 152, no. 52; Bagatti 2002a: 174. 6 Cooke 1925: 116. 1

169.2. Deir el-Azhar, mosaic floor adorned with geometric motifs.

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169.3. Deir el-Azhar, mosaic floor segment.

170. Beit Surik (ʿEin Beit Surik; Beit Sourik; Beît Sourîk; Beit Sūrīk) Ref. IOG: 16424 13674 Ref. ITM: 21424 63674 Ref. UTM: 70336 52283 The site is located on the eastern slopes of the village of Beit Surik, ca. 11 km northwest of Jerusalem. It yielded segments of a mosaic floor with a Greek

inscription in a tabula ansata, and remains of columns. The mosaic floor was destroyed shortly after its discovery.1 Ch. Clermont-Ganneau argued

170.1. Beit Surik, capital found at the site.

170.2. Beit Surik, columns strewn about the site.

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that these were the remains of a church built in the early sixth century CE. This dating was based on the mosaic inscription that mentions a ruler named A[...] in the 25th year of whose reign the work was completed. In his opinion, this description suits Emperor Anastasius, the only emperor whose name began with the letter A, and who was known to have ruled for 27 years (491–518 CE).2 This dating is the subject of scholarly dispute.3 In addition to these remnants, the site also yielded

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Byzantine oil lamps, a bronze candelabrum base of the type known from the Byzantine period, and arcosolia tombs, also Byzantine. One of the tombs bore incised crosses.4 Vincent 1901. See also: Clermont-Ganneau 1903: 46–49; Avi-Yonah 1933: 149, no. 27; SEG VIII: no. 239; Ovadiah and de Silva 1984: 129–130, no. 2. 2 Clermont-Ganneau 1903: 46–49. 3 Bagatti 2002a: 113, note; Tabula: 77. 4 Bagatti 2002a: 112–114. 1

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170.3. Beit Surik, Greek inscription in a tabula ansata.

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171. Motza (Mozah; Qalunyia; Qalunya; Qaluniya; Kolounieh) Ref. IOG: 16564 13348 Ref. ITM: 21564 63348 Ref. UTM: 70482 51960 The village is located ca. 2 km west of Jerusalem, on the road to Emmaus-Nicopolis. The village had previously been known as Motza (M Sukkah 4:5) and Emmaus (Luke 24:13; War 7:217), and in the Late Roman period its name was changed to Colonia (Κολωνία), because of the Roman military colony stationed close to the village.1 The site’s surveys and excavations were conducted in 1942 and in 1964, revealing a basilica church and a monastery dated to the fifth and sixth centuries CE.2 The church’s narthex foundation and parts of the prayer hall were unearthed. The rest of the structure was not excavated due to the construction of a road. In an early phase the narthex was paved in a colorful mosaic decorated with floral patterns and crosses; in a later phase, most of the mosaic floor was covered in plaster. Additional mosaic floor segments with geometrical patterns and crosses were uncovered in the nave; here too, a later plastered floor covered parts of the mosaic. Fragments of the chancel screen were found. Under the southern aisle is a barrel-vaulted cut tomb. A small chapel north of the church was entered from the northern aisle. The chapel mosaic floor contains two three-line Greek inscriptions, each in a tabula ansata.3 One of the tombs discovered at the site has wall drawings and inscriptions mentioning Jesus.4 Concerning the site identification, see: Klein 1939: 118, 150; Avi-Yonah 1967: 82; Tabula: 105. Cyril (Life of Sabas 67, 168) mentions the Colonia spring together with additional springs around Jerusalem that dried up. See also Di Segni 2005a: 199. 2 For the excavation, see ḤA 1965. Salvage excavations conducted by E. Eisenberg in 1973 revealed, on the other side of the Jerusalem–Tel Aviv highway, remains of ashlar1

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171.1. Motza, general plan of the church remains.

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no. 142; Ovadiah and de Silva 1982: 157, no. 44; Bagatti 2002a: 170–172. 3 Bagatti 2002a: 171–172, Pls. 50:2–3, 51. See also SRF 151. 4 Schick 1887; Gérmer-Durand 1893: 206; Bagatti 2002a: 170–171, Pl. 50:1.

built walls and mosaic segments dated to the Byzantine period, which the excavator attributes to the structures that included the church. See ḤA 1974a. See the surveys: Guérin 1868–69 I: 257–262; Magen and Finkelstein 1993: 221, no. 291. See also: Abel 1933–38 I: 455; Ovadiah 1970:139–140,

171.2. Motza, two Greek inscriptions, each in a tabula ansata, in the chapel mosaic floor.

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172. Ramat Polin Ref. IOG: 16830 13651 Ref. ITM: 21830 63651 Ref. UTM: 70742 52268 A monastery located in the north of Jerusalem, 1 km northeast of the ancient road between EmmausNicopolis and Jerusalem. The site was surveyed and excavated in 1982; remains of a structure were discovered, of which two rooms in its northeast were partly preserved.1 The room in the northeastern corner contained a chapel (estimated dimensions, 5.16×3.54 m), which was paved in white tesserae and a surrounding black frame. In the center, set in a tabula ansata, is a ten-line Greek inscription that mentions various individuals from Jerusalem, including Theodoros the Patriarch of Jerusalem, and the completion date of the work, in the fifteenth indiction (eighth century CE). The inscription is dedicated to George the martyr.2 The excavation uncovered cisterns, oil press and winepress installations, and sherds from the Byzantine and Early Islamic periods. For the excavation, see Arav, Di Segni and Kloner 1990. See the surveys: ESI 1982a: 58–59 (“Reservoir Hill”); Kloner 2003: 75–76, no. [101]11. See also Tabula: 212. 2 Arav, Di Segni and Kloner 1990: 316–319, Tav. 43–44, Photos 5–7. 1

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172. Ramat Polin, general plan of the remains of the chapel and structure.

173. Khirbet el-Maṣ aniʿ (Kh. el Messani; Kh. el Masani; al-Massani; el-Messani ʿ; Ḥ. Miẓna) Ref. IOG: 17063 13493 Ref. ITM: 22063 63493 Ref. UTM: 70978 52115 east of the church and in areas outside the church, to the west. The church compound (32.9×28.85 m) apparently surrounded a triapsidal basilica church (28.35×15.4 m).3 Not all of the rock-cut apses were excavated. In the west is a narthex, 3.25 m wide, with three entrances leading to the prayer hall: the

The site, located on the southern slope of the Shuʿfat Ridge, north of Naḥal Zofim, consists of remains of a church. The church was surveyed numerous times, with an attempt made to identify it historically.1 A chapel east of the church was surveyed as well.2 In 1984 a trial excavation was conducted in the

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central one to the nave; the other two to the aisles. No columns were revealed. The baptismal font discovered in the northern aisle resembles one found at Shiloh.4 There were two additions to the church, to the north and south. The one on the north yielded hewn stairs, with five niches in the facade of the top stair, while the southern addition contained a pool. An additional pool was discovered north of the church complex. The church, dated to the sixth century CE, was ascribed by several excavators as being part of a large complex, probably a monastery.5 Its identification as a monastery is doubtful.

See the surveys: Abel 1924a: 617, no. 31; Schneider 1933: 159–160; Mazor 1984: 56; Kloner 2001: 57, no. [102]137. See also: SRF 137; Ovadiah 1970: 20–21, no.7; Bagatti 2002a: 105–106; Tabula: 184. Abel (1924a: 617) identified the church as Nouveau Saint Zacharie. 2 Mazor 1984: 56; Kloner 2001: 57, no. [102]137. 3 For the excavations, see Mazor 2000. Schneider (1933: 159–160) was the first to describe the church as triapsidal. 4 The baptismal font discovered at Shiloh was of ashlar construction; see Magen and Aharonovich 2012: 197, Fig. 50. 5 Crowfoot (1941: 71, note 2) ascribed the church to a group of triapsidal churches dated to the sixth century CE, a dating accepted by the excavator; see Mazor 2000: 23*. 1

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173.1. Kh. el-Maṣaniʿ, general plan of the church complex.

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173.2. Kh. el-Maṣaniʿ, the church before excavations, view from the west.

174. Givʿat Shappira (French Hill) Ref. IOG: 17269 13451 Ref. ITM: 22269 63451 Ref. UTM: 71185 52077 were discovered in the northeast of the site; there were drawings of crosses in the winepress collection vat and on storage jar fragments. According to the excavator, the site might have been a monastic farm from the fifth and sixth centuries CE.1 The Second Temple period burial caves discovered under the structure were blocked during construction in the Byzantine period.2

The site is located on a moderate slope in the Givʿat Shappira neighborhood in Jerusalem. Salvage excavations conducted at the site in 1970 uncovered remains of structures surrounded by a wall, with a row of rooms on the west. Some of the rooms make secondary use of columns and arches from the Roman period. The row of rooms includes a hall (20×7 m), whose floor is of beaten earth and along whose walls are stone piers that supported arches and divided the hall into six spaces. The finds in the hall attest to its use for cooking and storage. It also contained a cistern. An oil press and a winepress

For the excavations, see: Oran 1970; ḤA 1970a; 1971a: 16–17. See the survey, Kloner 2001: 85, no. [102]189. 2 Kloner 1980: 141, nos. 25–29. 1

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175. Khirbet Sheikh Badr (Kh. Sheikh Bader; Givʿat Ram; Binyane Ha-Umma; Binyené Ha-Umma) Ref. IOG: 16928 13254 Ref. ITM: 21928 63254 Ref. UTM: 70848 51873 The site is located on a hill near the western approach to Jerusalem, east of Binyanei ha-Ummah (Jerusalem International Convention Center), close to the ancient road between Motza-Colonia and Jerusalem. It exhibits settlement continuity from the Late Iron Age (late eighth century BCE) to the end of the Byzantine period. The site’s first excavation, in 1949, revealed a monastery and a church. A further excavation conducted in 1992 unearthed additional parts of the monastery, as well as a hospice. The built area (70×50 m) functioned as a Christian pilgrim complex on the main road to Jerusalem.1 The basilica church (17.5×14 m) has a courtyard to its west. The prayer hall is divided into two aisles (each 3 m wide) and a nave (6 m wide) by columns standing on stylobates; three column bases survived in situ. The church has an internal apse. Remains of a mosaic were discovered in the southern aisle. The church was burned and renewed with various alterations: a pastophorium was added on each side of the apse. M. Avi-Yonah, who excavated the site, attributes the renewed construction to the time of Justinian.2 A system of rooms and courtyards was built south of the church, with a corridor with a white mosaic floor that includes a colorful square carpet decorated with a pattern of circles. East of the corridor is a chapel (8×4 m) with a small apse. The chapel is paved in a colorful mosaic, with floral patterns and an inscription mentioning St. George.3 Beyond this chapel is a courtyard with a cistern. West of the church is a row of rooms with mosaic floors; additional mosaic-paved rooms and a crypt were discovered north of the church. The excavation area also yielded fragments of decorated chancel screens, marble slabs, and an altar colonnette.4 According to the excavators, the complex was built in the late fourth century CE and abandoned in the early seventh century CE, upon the Arab conquest.5 We doubt that its beginnings were Christian.

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175. Kh. Sheikh Badr, general plan of the church complex.

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Ovadiah and de Silva 1982: 139, no. 21. 3 Avi-Yonah 1949: 23, Pl. 6:2. 4 Avi-Yonah 1949: 23–24; Arubas and Goldfus 1993: 78. 5 Arubas and Goldfus 2005: 16; 2007: 18. See also Rosenthal-Heginbottom 2005: 232.

For the site excavations, see: Avi-Yonah 1949; Arubas and Goldfus 1993; 2005; 2007; Rosenthal-Heginbottom 2005. See the survey, Kloner 2003: 104, no. [101]102. See also: Lemaire 1950–51: 57; Yeivin 1960: 38–39; Cohen 1993: 1068. 2 Avi-Yonah 1949: 22–23; Ovadiah 1970: 81–82, no. 70a/b; 1

176. Jerusalem, Third Wall (Nablus Road) Ref. IOG: 17172 13252 Ref. ITM: 22172 63252 Ref. UTM: 71092 51876 Four monasteries, alongside which are pilgrim hospices and cemeteries, are located at the surmised location of the Second Temple’s Third Wall, north of the Old City walls and northwest of the Damascus Gate. Each structure is freestanding. Some of the monasteries were destroyed in the Persian and Arab conquests; others continued in use in the Early Islamic period. Excavations began in the 1920s, continued in the 1930s, and were renewed in the 1990s with the construction of Jerusalem Road 1.1 In 1937 D.C. Baramki unearthed remains of structures and a chapel; the latter was paved in a mosaic with geometrical patterns and was dated by the excavator to the eighth century CE.2 Renewed excavations revealed part of a complex of structures (Area A) that included a monastery and a hospice for Christian pilgrims. In the monastery, a chapel was discovered consisting of a hall (15×10 m) and a room (6×4 m), separated by a chancel screen. The chapel’s colorful mosaic floor, discovered in the monastery, resembled that uncovered by Baramki. Three vaulted crypts were discovered beneath the chapel. Excavations also revealed a kitchen, a bath, and monastic rooms. North of the monastery is the hospice that comprised a courtyard surrounded by rooms. The chapel discovered by Baramki belongs to this hospice.3 Tombs were also discovered. This complex contains a number of building phases, from the late fifth century CE to the Early Islamic period. The monastery and cemetery remained in use until the ninth century CE, while the hospice fell into disuse in the early eighth century CE.

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176.1. Jerusalem, Third Wall, general plan of the chapel complex in area A.

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176.3. Jerusalem, Third Wall, general plan of area B.

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East of this complex (Area B), an additional hospice comprises two courtyards surrounded by rooms and a chapel. The small chapel (4.5×4.5 m) has a mosaic floor, as do most of the monastery’s rooms. An elaborate water system and cisterns were revealed. The hospice was established in the sixth century CE and fell into disuse in the early eighth century CE.4 South of the complex (Area C) are remains of an additional monastery, of ashlar construction. A crypt is hewn beneath the courtyard, with a cross engraved on a stone slab on one of the tombs. Additional tombs were found beneath one of the monastery rooms. The site continued in use in the Early Islamic period.5 Remains of an Armenian monastery were uncovered in Area D, which was part of the Third Wall

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176.2. Jerusalem, Third Wall, general plan of area A.

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176.4. Jerusalem, Third Wall, general plan of area C.

of trenches and a large reservoir. North of the courtyard is a church (18.5×5.65 m). It has a raised bema, paved in white, red, and black stone tiles and bounded by a chancel screen. The prayer hall is paved with a partially preserved colorful mosaic. In front of the bema is a somewhat damaged Greek inscription enclosed in a tabula ansata. The inscription mentions the deacon and monastery head, in whose time the apse and church addition were made; it is dated to the middle of the seventh century CE. South of the church is an entry hall with a mosaic floor. Beneath the church and the entry hall are crypts with vaulted roofs and built tombs. Two tombstones bearing Armenian inscriptions were revealed. The monastery was established in the sixth century CE, as was the church, which was built over tombs, some early ones from the fifth century CE. The compound expanded both in the seventh century CE and after the Arab conquest, and was abandoned in the Abbasid period. The excavators are of the opinion that an Armenian residential quarter existed beyond the walls of Jerusalem.7

excavations. The excavation area is divided into two; the northern and southern parts each constitute a distinct architectural complex and belong to a different monastery. Both monasteries were built in the Byzantine period and continued to exist in the Early Islamic period. The northern area (ca. 35×8 m) yielded part of a complex containing residential rooms paved in white mosaic, a burial complex, and two cisterns. The finds date the complex to the sixth century CE, and the excavator attributes them to the monastery that stood there.6 The excavated area (65×20 m) of the southern compound extends from north to south. West of the central courtyard in the complex is a structure divided into wings, which served as a residential unit. At the structure’s center, a room contains an Armenian inscription dated to the period following the Arab conquest. The north of the structure contains a bathhouse that the excavator ascribed to the monastery. This residential unit had an additional one that adjoined it to the south. The elaborate drainage system found there consisted

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176.6. Jerusalem, Third Wall, church chancel in the southern monastery complex in area D.

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6

the Second Temple period, see: Sukenik and Mayer 1930; Ben-Arieh and Netzer 1974; Kloner 1986. See the survey, Kloner 2001: 135, no. [102]330. 2 Baramki 1938: 56–58, Pls. IX–X; Ovadiah 1970: 79–80, no. 68; Ovadiah and de Silva 1982: 138, no. 20. 3 Tzaferis et al. 1991: 132–133; Feig 1993: 50–51. 4 Tzaferis et al. 1991: 133; Feig 1993: 51. 5 Shukron and Savariego 1993; Feig 1993: 51–52. 6 Amit, Wolff and Gorzalezany 1993: 82–83. 7 Amit and Wolff: 1993;  2000. For the Armenian inscriptions, see Stown and Amit 1997. Two mosaic floors dating to the Byzantine period were discovered in Ha-Neviʾim Street, near the monastery. One, the so-called “bird floor,” is probably a church floor, and contains an Armenian inscription. The second mosaic floor is known as the “Orpheus floor.” See Kloner 2001: 139, no. [102]337. The floors are probably part of the monastery.

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176.5. Jerusalem, Third Wall, general plan of the northern complex in area D.

For the monastery excavations, see: Baramki 1938; Tzaferis et al. 1991; Amit, Wolff and Gorzalezany 1993; Feig 1993; Shukron and Savariego 1993; Abu Raya 1998. See also: ḤA 1973; Amit and Wolff 1993; 2000. In a salvage excavation south of the line of the Third Wall, remains of the bathhouse were discovered. The excavator categorizes these with the group of monasteries and hospices from the Byzantine period; see ʿAdawi 2005. For the Third Wall from

1

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176.7. Jerusalem, Third Wall, general plan of the southern complex in area D.

177. Ras el-ʿAmud Ref. IOG: 17335 13350 Ref. ITM: 22335 63350 Ref. UTM: 71253 51977 which survived. Additional mosaic segments were discovered in the surrounding rooms. Fragments of a marble chancel screen and a limestone table were found in the stone debris, along with sherds dated to the Byzantine period. In the excavator’s opinion, the structure belonged to a Judean Desert monastery.1

The site is located in the Ras el-ʿAmud neighborhood in eastern Jerusalem. The salvage excavation conducted in 2004 revealed a structure, of which a longitudinal room, north–south in orientation, were preserved, as well as remains of surrounding rooms. The west and center of the structure were not preserved. The longitudinal room, of plastered ashlars, had a white mosaic floor, a few segments of

1

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178. Mount Scopus (East) (Har Ha-Ẓ ofim) Ref. IOG: 17444 13284 Ref. ITM: 22444 63284 Ref. UTM: 71363 51914 The site, a monastery, is located on the eastern slope of Mt. Scopus, north of the ancient main road between Jerusalem and Jericho. A section of road paved with stones and crushed lime, a cistern, and a small pool were uncovered southeast of the compound. The site was excavated in 1999–2000, with the construction of a road along the eastern slope of Mt. Scopus.1 The monastery (ca. 90×50 m), is comprised of a central courtyard surrounded by rooms believed by the excavators to have served the monks and pilgrims

who stayed there. It is noteworthy that the rooms are long rectangular halls, unlike the usual monastic rooms in monasteries. The northern wing contained a church (estimated dimensions, 20×8.5 m). North of the church is a rectangular hall, and to the west, a sort of atrium or narthex (15.5×9 m) with a coarse white mosaic floor, divided into two by a row of piers. The western wing had a few rooms, some elongated. The southwestern room was paved in a colorful mosaic with a medallion at its center. The medallion contains

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178.1. Mt. Scopus (East), general plan of the monastery complex.

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an eight-line Greek inscription mentioning the name of the monastery head, Father Theodorus, and the monk, Ciriacus, in whose time the construction work was conducted. The inscription is dated to the late seventh to early eighth century CE. The southern wing yielded fallen mosaic segments and charred wooden beams, which apparently attest to the existence of an additional chapel on the second story. This wing contained a bathhouse (apparently unconnected with the monastery), few remains of which survived, that the excavators dated to the Early Islamic period. A sophisticated water system consisting of pools, channels, and cisterns that collected runoff water from the slopes of Mt. Scopus was also unearthed. The numerous finds discovered include coins, pottery and glass vessels, architectural items, works of art bearing crosses, marble fragments, some with Greek letters, and a marble table decorated with hunters and wild beasts. The finds from the Byzantine period, during which the compound was established, are dated to the fifth to seventh centuries CE, and the Early Islamic remains, to the seventh to eighth centuries CE. The site was destroyed and abandoned in the Abbasid period.

For the excavations, see Amit, Seligman and Zilberbod 2000. See the survey, Kloner 2001: 149, no. [102]363.

1

178.2. Mt. Scopus (East), Greek inscription in the mosaic floor in the western wing.

179. Ras Abu-Subeitan Ref. IOG: 17478 13212 Ref. ITM: 22478 63212 Ref. UTM: 71399 51842 The floor of the eastern room is paved in stone slabs; the other rooms, with mosaic floors, functioned as the chapel. The mosaic in the western room is of geometric pattern. An entrance leads from this room to the central one, which is on a lower level. The room’s mosaic has a grid of diamonds and flower buds. An ashlar lintel with a carved red cross was found on the floor. The opening in the northern courtyard wall led to a hall. The arches of the hall roof were supported by three ashlar piers, remains of which were discovered.

The site is located on a hilltop on the eastern slopes of the Mt. Scopus ridge, west of the village of ezZuʿaiyim. An ancient path, no longer visible, led to the site.1 The excavation conducted in 2006 unearthed a Byzantine monastery, along with caves containing remains from the Middle Bronze and Iron Age, and the Early Roman period.2 The monastery (17.6×16.9 m) is surrounded by a wall; in its center is an inner courtyard with a cistern. Three rooms were uncovered south of the courtyard.

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Ovens were discovered in the east of the hall. The area west of the courtyard probably served as living quarters. The monastery was most probably built in the late fifth to early sixth century CE, and was abandoned in the middle of the seventh century CE. It yielded finds from the Early Islamic period, but no changes were introduced in the monastery itself. See the survey, Magen and Finkelstein 1993: 354, no. 444. Excavations were undertaken under the direction of Y. Peleg (ref. no. Judea and Samaria 1061) on behalf of the Staff Officer of Archaeology—Civil Administration of Judea and Samaria, but the findings have not yet been published. See also Peleg 2008.

1 2

179.2. Ras Abu-Subeitan, chapel mosaic floor segment adorned with a geometric pattern.

179.1. Ras Abu-Subeitan, view from the west.

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180. ʿEin Kerem (ʿEn Kerem; ʿEin Karim; ʿEin Kārim; ʾAin Kārim; Aʾin Karim; ʿAin Kārim) Ref. IOG: 16552 13059 Ref. ITM: 21552 63059 Ref. UTM: 70476 51671 for the southern wall, which is common to both churches. The two carpets in the prayer hall mosaic floor are decorated with geometrical and floral motifs. The bema is raised above the prayer hall, and two tombs are hewn in the apse floor. The bema mosaic carpet is composed of three panels. The central one, preserved, is decorated with floral and faunal motifs, and contains a four-line Greek inscription. The chancel is flanked by two small rooms, each with a mosaic

The site is located southwest of ancient Jerusalem, in the present-day Jerusalem neighborhood of that name. The Church of St. John the Baptist, 80 m east of Mary’s Spring, postdates and was partly built over two churches (according to the excavator of the chapels). The latter two, built adjoining one another, dated to the Byzantine period.1 The Martyrs’ Church (17×12.5 m), paved with a mosaic floor, is preserved almost in its entirety, except

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180.1. ʿEin Kerem, general plan of the Martyrs’ Church and the church to its south.

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screen, part of which remained in situ. The apse was incorporated after the mosaic floor had been laid. The latter was partially preserved. The bema and prayer hall mosaic floors were decorated with floral designs and geometrical patterns.3 Winepresses, tombs, and mosaics were discovered south of the church.4

floor.2 Another church, to the south (13.1×8.3 m), is built over an early winepress. Its partially preserved walls are coated with plaster and have traces of red paint. This church has two entrances, one in the west and the other in the south. The bema is elevated above the prayer hall, separated from it by a chancel

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180.2. ʿEin Kerem, general plan of the Church of the Visitation that was built over the remains of the Byzantine chapel.

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East of the Church of St. John the Baptist stands the Church of the Visitation, which is built on the foundations of a Byzantine chapel and a Crusader church. The site has been identified as the place where Mary visited Elizabeth, wife of Zechariah (Luke 1:39– 40).5 In 1938 the chapel (6.6×2.2 m) was excavated. The floor of the partly hewn, partly built chapel is paved in a colorful mosaic decorated with geometrical patterns. The chapel is dated to the fifth and sixth centuries CE.6

The Martyrs’ Church was largely uncovered in 1885, an additional part revealed in 1939 and 1941. See: GérmerDurand 1893: 212; Meistermann 1904: 190–208; AviYonah 1933: 157–158, no. 71; Saller 1946: 123–127, 144–149 (for the mosaic, see Pl. 19); Ovadiah 1970: 94–95, no. 85. 3 Saller 1946: 117–123, 150–156, Pls. 7–16; Ovadiah 1970: 95–96, no. 86. 4 Kloner 2003: 125, no. [101]155. 5 Concerning the site identification, see: Abel 1933–38 II: 295; Wilkinson 1977: 156; Tabula: 82. 6 For the excavation, see Bagatti 1948. See the surveys: Guérin 1868–69 I: 97–101; SWP III: 19, 60; Kloner 2003: 128, no. [101]157 (El-Masqubiya). See also: Ovadiah 1970: 96, no. 87; Bagatti 2002b: 19. 2

For the excavations, see: Saller 1945; 1946. See the surveys: Guérin1868–69 I: 82–101; SWP III: 19–20, 60–61; Kloner 2003: 125–127, no. [101]155. See also: Meistermann 1904; Bagatti 2002b: 18–21; Tabula: 82.

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180.3. ʿEin Kerem, Church of the Visitation.

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181. Monastery of the Holy Cross (Deir es Salîb; Deir eṣ-Ṣ alib) Ref. IOG: 16960 13101 Ref. ITM: 21960 63101 Ref. UTM: 70883 51721 This currently active monastery is located in the Valley of the Cross, in the southwest of Jerusalem.1 The site’s sanctity ensues from the belief that the tree from which Jesus’ cross was made grew here. Many legends were linked to the monastery; as most were from the Middle Ages, it cannot be determined whether they reflect the site’s history. One legend connects the monastery with Emperor Constantine and his mother, Helena, who built a number of churches in Jerusalem in the fourth century CE. Another associates it with the fifth century CE Georgian king who came to the city as a pilgrim and resolved to build a monastery. One tradition connects its construction with Justinian, and another, with Heraclius, who freed the cross after it had been captured by the Persians during their invasion in 614 CE.2 From 1969 to 1973 the monastery was renovated under the auspices of the Greek Patriarchate. The upper mosaic floor was removed in the later church, revealing the presence, in part of the church, of early mosaics that are to be dated to the sixth century CE.3 These mosaics attest to the establishment of the monastery in the Byzantine period. The monastery apparently underwent phases of destruction at the end of the Early Islamic period. See the surveys: Guérin 1868–69 I: 77–82; Kloner 2003: 118, no. [101]141. See also: de Vogüé 1860: 340; Baedeker 1912: 92–93; Vilnay 1967; Tzaferis 1987; 1990. 2 For the different traditions attributed to the site, see: Vilnay 1967: 1–3; Tzaferis 1990: 10–11. The Georgians were called Iberians during the Byzantine period; see Tsafrir and Di Segni 1999: 274–275. 3 Tzaferis 1987: 19. 1

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181.1. Monastery of the Holy Cross, general plan of the church.

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181.2. Monastery of the Holy Cross.

182. Y.M.C.A. Monastery Ref. IOG: 17100 13148 Ref. ITM: 22100 63148 Ref. UTM: 71022 51771 mentions the bishop of the Georgian community.2 The monastery is dated to the fifth to seventh centuries CE. East of the monastery, burial caves were discovered that are dated to the second to third centuries CE, as well as a mausoleum, dated to the third century CE.3

The site, remains of a monastery, is located ca. 100 m west of the Y.M.C.A. building in Jerusalem.1 The monastery, only partly uncovered, was excavated in 1932; it contains rooms with a mosaic floor and a plastered cistern. One of the rooms contains a plastered bath with a prominent cross in a circle on one of its sides. The excavator states that the monks were buried in the rock-cut tombs discovered northeast of the monastery. One of the tombstones bears a four-line carved inscription in Greek letters that

For the excavation, see Iliffe 1935. See the survey, Kloner 2001: 166, no.[102] 400. 2 Iliffe 1935: 78, Pl. XLVIII:3. 3 Iliffe 1935: 70–75. 1

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182. Y.M.C.A. Monastery, general plan of the site.

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183. Gan ha-AẒ maʿut Ref. IOG: 17099 13171 Ref. ITM: 22099 63171 Ref. UTM: 71021 51794 Byzantine period, or perhaps only in the Islamic period.1

A church is located near the Mamilla Pool in Jerusalem. It commemorates Christians murdered during the course of the Persian conquest in 614 CE. The church was most probably built towards the end of the

Tsafrir 1975: 22. See the survey, Kloner 2001: 157, no. [102]385.

1

184. Mamilla (Mamillah) Ref. IOG: 17140 13157 Ref. ITM: 22140 63157 Ref. UTM: 71062 51781 The site is a burial area in the upper part of Wadi Rababa, currently in the Mamilla area in Jerusalem. Excavations conducted at the site in 1989–1992 uncovered Iron Age II tombs, some of which continued in use in the Persian and Hellenistic periods, and additional tombs from the Second Temple, and Byzantine periods.1 The Byzantine graves discovered were simple, except for a burial cave preceded by a partly hewn, partly built, chapel (5.45×2.90–3.45 m). The western and southern walls, partially preserved, were built on the slope. A hewn niche resembling an apse is set in the eastern wall. Plastered benches were built along three walls of the chapel. The walls, also plastered, bear traces of paint that imitate colorful marble panels. A marble tablet in the chapel niche served as an altar. The niche is decorated with a fresco containing the depiction of an angel alongside an additional figure, only traces of the latter remaining. A cross is drawn close to the niche. The chapel floor is paved in white mosaic, with cross decorations opposite the niche; and a four-line Greek inscription set in a tabula ansata faces the tomb entrance. The tomb yielded many

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184.1. Mamilla, general plan of the chapel and burial cave.

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bones, coins, oil lamps adorned with crosses, and cruciform pendants. The chapel and tomb are dated to the Byzantine period. The excavators maintain that the tomb functioned as a mass grave for Christians who died during the Persian conquest in 614 CE.2

For the excavations, see: Reich, Shukron and Billig 1991; Reich 1993; 1996; Reich and Shukron 1994. See the survey, Kloner 2001: 159, no. [102]391. 2 Reich 1993: 108–109; Reich and Shukron 1994: 94. For the inscription and fresco photos, see Reich 1996: 29, 31. 1

184.2. Mamilla, Greek inscription in a tabula ansata in the chapel mosaic floor.

185. Naḥal Qidron—Tomb of the Virgin Ref. IOG: 17278 13193 Ref. ITM: 22278 63193 Ref. UTM: 71199 51819 The site, a church and a burial chapel, is located at the foot of the Mount of Olives, close to the Church of All Nations at the Garden of Gethsemane. Christian tradition identifies the site as the burial place of Mary. According to the sources (Adamnani, Locis Sanctis I, 12), two churches were built here, one over the other, in the Byzantine period.1 E. Hoade states that the upper church was of octagonal plan. Built in the fifth century CE, it was destroyed during the Persian conquest; and another church was built at the site in the Crusader period.2 The upper church was reconstructed by L.H. Vincent,3 but this reconstruction is not accepted by scholarly research.4

In 1972–1973 excavations were conducted of the lower church, which is part of the current church structure, and functions as a crypt. Cruciform in plan, it has a vaulted roof and two apses at the end of its eastern and western arms. The Byzantine church entrance has not been determined. A monumental staircase, a remnant of the Crusader church, currently leads to the church from the south. The Tomb of Mary is in the center of the eastern arm. Excavations revealed that it was in use in the Byzantine and Crusader periods, and was later renovated in the Ottoman period.5

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For mention of the place in additional sources, see: Theodosius, Terrae Sanctae 10; Antonini Placentini Itinerarium 17. See also Limor 1998: 185, 229. The Russian abbot Daniel described the lower church, and mentioned the destroyed upper church; see Raba 1986: 39–40. The Crusader church had not yet been built in his time. See also Wilkinson 1977: 160. 2 Hoade 1942: 137–140, especially p. 138. A monastery, as well, was built close by in the Crusader period; see: Johns

1939; Katsimbinis 1976; Bahat 1991: 110–113. 3 Vincent and Abel 1926: 808–810, 825–831, Fig. 349. See also Ovadiah 1970: 96–97, no. 88. 4 Bagatti, Piccirillo and Prodomo 1975: 56–57; Geva 1993. 5 For the excavations, see: Bagatti 1972a; 1972b; 1973a; Bagatti, Piccirillo and Prodomo 1975, especially pp. 19–58. See the survey, Kloner 2001: 169–170, no. [102]406. See also: Bagatti 1971a: 229–230; Schiller 1977: 99–110; Ovadiah and de Silva 1982: 142–143, no. 27.

1

Byzantine Period 0

Medieval Period 185. Naḥal Qidron—Tomb of the Virgin, general plan of the tomb.

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186. Mount of Olives, the Greek Church (Har Ha-Zetim) Ref. IOG: 17279 13183 Ref. ITM: 22279 63183 Ref. UTM: 71201 51809 items belong. The excavator noted that the Byzantine remains in the area were not excavated. He added that, according to the sources, a monastery stood there, beginning in the Byzantine period and continuing in use until the end of the Crusader period.2 Some scholars attribute the structure remains to the Byzantine period.3

The site, remains of a monastery, is located between the Church of All Nations and the Tomb of Virgin Mary.1 Salvage excavations conducted in 1973–1974 revealed the mosaic floor of a Crusader church, an expanse in front of the church, and a large subterranean hall. The presence of scattered columns, column bases, and capitals led the excavator to conclude that a magnificent basilica church had stood there. He dates the mosaic to the Crusader period, but from his description, it is unclear to which period the scattered architectural

1 2 3

See the survey, Kloner 2001: 170, no. [102]407. For the excavation, see ḤA 1974b. Ovadiah and de Silva 1981: 221, no. 23.

187. Mount of Olives (Har Ha-Zetim) Ref. IOG: 17333 13191 Ref. ITM: 22333 63191 Ref. UTM: 71254 51818 paved in a colorful mosaic. Marble columns were discovered next to the church, which was built in the Byzantine period and renovated in the Crusader period.1

The church, located on the Mount of Olives, was excavated in 1965 by the Jordanians; and in the 1970s a trial excavation was conducted by the Israel Antiquities Authority. The apse was in its east, and an altar flanked by two small bemas stood in its center. The floor on the east of the church is

1

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188. Jerusalrm, Ketef Hinnom Ref. IOG: 17138 13076 Ref. ITM: 22138 63076 Ref. UTM: 71062 51700 The site, remains of a church on the ancient road between Bethlehem and Jerusalem, is located on the shoulder of a hill near the present-day Scottish St. Andrew’s Church. In 1940 a salvage excavation was conducted due to construction of a road, and the site was excavated intermittently from the 1970s to the 1990s. Excavations uncovered tombs from the seventh century BCE and the Second Temple period, a burial field attributed to the soldiers of the Roman legion, and dug and built graves, most from the third century CE, over which the church was built. The church was severely damaged by the looting of building stones in the Ottoman period, and road construction in the modern period.1 The church is basilical in plan (ca. 45×25 m), with a narthex in the west. The narthex contained three plastered burial troughs whose sides bore traces of fresco with cross decorations. To their south is a vaulted crypt of ashlar construction. All of these were apparently under a floor that did not survive. Of the prayer hall, remains of the walls and of the northern and southern stylobates are preserved. The plastered channel along the southern stylobate led westward to a plastered basin, sunken into the floor. A built tomb was set alongside the northern wall of the church, underneath the aisle floor. The bema was elevated above the prayer hall. A section of a colorful mosaic floor was unearthed, decorated with a partridge, grape clusters, and grape leaves. Many colorful tesserae and colorful marble stones in various shapes, apparently used for an opus sectile floor, were also uncovered. Glass tesserae, some gilded, used in wall mosaics, were unearthed. Excavations also yielded a Corinthian capital and a fragment of an oil lamp with a Greek inscription.2 A large rock-cut and plastered cistern was discovered north of the church.3 The excavator dates the church from the fifth to early seventh century CE. He suggests identifying it with the Church of St. George, based on a Byzantine inscription carved on the façade of a burial cave in the valley of Gé Ben Hinnom that mentions the name of

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188.1. Jerusalem, Ketef Hinnom, general plan of the church.

188.2. Jerusalem, Ketef Hinnom, church mosaic floor segment adorned with vines, grape clusters, and a partridge.

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the saint, as well as the church’s location outside the Old City walls.4

[102]465. See also Ovadiah and de Silva 1981: 222–223, no. 25. 2 Barkay 1995: 9–10; 2000: 89–90. 3 Kloner 2001: 188. 4 Barkay 2000: 90.

For the excavations, see: ḤA 1976: 30–31; Barkay 1984; 1995; 2000. See the survey, Kloner 2001: 188–189, no. 1

189. Abu Tor (Givʿat Ḥananya; Deir Abu Tor) Ref. IOG: 17161 13039 Ref. ITM: 22161 63039 Ref. UTM: 71085 51663 The site, remains of a basilica, is located on a hill in the Jerusalem neighborhood of Abu Tor.1 The church (estimated length 18.7 m; width, 10.44 m) is dated to the sixth century CE; its west did not survive. The prayer hall is divided into a nave and two aisles by two rows of columns. Many column bases were discovered not in situ. A colorful mosaic floor decorated with geometrical patterns was found in the southern aisle. The apse, of ashlar construction, is flanked by two pastophoria, of undressed stones, added in a later phase. Entrance to the pastophoria was from the outside.2 Below the northern aisle is an underground room, described in detail by J.A. Montgomery in the 1920s. Access to the room (4.8×2.7 m) was provided by rock-cut stairs and a corridor. The room was roofed with a vault, the east of which contained a blocked vent. The southern wall, of bedrock, bears traces of plaster, while the northern wall is of fine ashlar construction. In the western end of the room is an arched door with rock-cut stairs. In the east is a central apse, and north of it, a smaller apsidal niche; above the latter is an engraved cross. According to Montgomery, this room is a catacomb church.3 A.M. Schneider believes that the Greek inscription mentioning a tomb, discovered in the room, attests that the room functioned as a crypt and preceded the church’s construction.4 In a trial excavation, conducted east and northeast of the church remains in 1984, a fragment of a marble

column and a corner capital in secondary use, ascribed by the excavators to the Byzantine church, were found in an Ottoman structure.5 In 2003 a salvage excavation conducted some 50 m west of the church unearthed remains of a structure and a barrel-vaulted cistern; in

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189. Abu Tor, general plan of the church.

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addition, a floor section, of small stones, was uncovered, southeast of the cistern. In the excavator’s opinion, the cistern and stone floor belong to the church, and are actually part of a monastery that stood there.6

used as a cistern; and with it, a rock-cut channel containing pottery sherds from the Byzantine and later periods; see ḤA 1971b. See the surveys: Schneider 1933: 152–155; Kloner 2001: 191–192, nos. [102]469, [102]473. 2 Ovadiah 1970: 80–81, no. 69a/b. 3 Montgomery 1923. 4 Schneider 1933: 154. 5 Goldfus and Gozlan 1985; Kloner 2001: 191, no. [102]469. 6 Sion 2008.

For the excavations in the vicinity of the church, see: Goldfus and Gozlan 1985; Sion 2008. A salvage excavation at the site revealed a number of burial caves, one of which was

1

190. el-ʿEizariya (El ʾAzirîyeh; El ʿEizarīya; el-ʿēzarīje; el-ʿEizariyye; Aʾzarieh; el-ʿAzariye) Ref. IOG: 17402 13002 Ref. ITM: 22402 63002 Ref. UTM: 71327 51631 The church in its entirety extended to the tomb of Lazarus to the west. The church (17 m wide) has an internal apse flanked by two pastophoria. The nave is paved in a colorful mosaic carpet decorated with a grid pattern set in a frame of interlaced circles. The northern aisle is paved in a colorful mosaic carpet decorated with a repetitive pattern of octagons and squares. The mosaic carpet in the southern aisle is divided into three panels bearing geometric patterns. Traces of the columns that divided the hall are evident on the floor. The northern pastophorium has a colorful mosaic carpet. The excavations also yielded Corinthian capitals. The church is dated to the fourth century CE, based on the mosaic and on Christian sources, but this dating is questionable. The church was destroyed by an earthquake.4 A new church (26×17.5 m) was built some 13 m east of its predecessor, and was entered through a partly preserved atrium or narthex. Three openings led to the prayer hall, with an additional one in the northern wall. The hall was divided into a nave and two aisles by two rows of piers on stylobates that cut the early church floor. The internal apse of the church is flanked by two pastophoria. The hall’s colorful mosaic floor was decorated with geometric

The village is located east of Jerusalem and north of Abu Dis.1 The site was identified as Bethany (Bhqαníα), which is mentioned in the account by the Bordeaux Pilgrim (Itinerarium Burdigalense 596, 2), in Egeria’s Travels (Itinerarium Egeriae XXIX, 3–6), in Eusebius’ Onomasticon (On. 58:15), by Theodosius (Theodosius, Terrae Sanctae 6), and in other Christian sources, as the burial place of Lazarus who, according to Christian tradition, was brought back from the dead by Jesus (John 11:18, 38–44). As early as the time of Hieronymus, mention was made of a church over the grave of Lazarus (Hieronymus, On. 59:16), and in the late sixth century CE a monastery and basilica church were noted.2 V. Guérin described the tomb of Lazarus, which was also a Christian ritual site in his time, and noted that a mosque was built nearby, where the church of St. Lazarus had stood. He also mentioned remains of an apse and of a segment of a mosaic floor from an ancient Christian church, but did not attribute it to a specific period.3 The site was excavated from 1949–1953; remains of memorial basilica churches, one built over the other, were uncovered. The east of the early church is preserved, its west covered by the mosque courtyard.

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190.1. El-ʿEizariya, general plan of the early church remains.

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patterns. The rectangular panel in the east of the nave contains four circles encompassed by lozenges that are separated by fruit and floral decorations. Crosses were painted on the church columns. The southern aisle adjoins a longitudinal chapel, whose colorful

mosaic floor was decorated with geometrical and floral patterns. The late church makes secondary use of architectural elements from the early church, and is dated to the fifth century CE.5 Byzantine caves were discovered in the village, one west of the tomb of Lazarus. The plastered cave contains Greek inscriptions, an inscription in Syriac, and painted crosses, all adorning the cave walls. The cave is dated to the fourth to seventh centuries CE.6 A second cave yielded oil lamps bearing Greek inscriptions.7 For the excavation, see Saller 1957. See the surveys: Robinson and Smith 1860 I: 431–433; Guérin 1874–75 I: 163–181; SWP III: 27–28; Magen and Finkelstein 1993: 351, 361–362, nos. 436–437, 456; Kloner 2001: 182–183, 207, nos. [102]445–447, [102]510–511. See also: Avi-Yonah 1933: 150, no. 32; Lemaire 1950–51: 60–63; Bagatti 1968a: 169–176. 2 See also Limor 1998: 34, 98–99, 181. Concerning the site identification, see: Thomsen 1907: 37–38; Abel 1933–38 II: 266–267; Avi-Yonah 1976: 37; Wilkinson 1977: 151; Tabula: 80. See also Reeg 1989: 131. 3 Guérin 1874–75 I: 172. 4 Saller 1957: 9–33, Fig. 3, Pls. 14–23, 25; Ovadiah 1970: 29–30, no. 18a; Ovadiah and de Silva 1982: 125, no. 5a; Ovadiah and Ovadiah 1987: 17–18, no. 15. 5 Saller 1957: 35–66, Figs. 9, 12, Pls. 28, 32, 41–43; Ovadiah 1970: 30–31, no. 18b; Ovadiah and de Silva 1982: 126, no. 5b; Ovadiah and Ovadiah 1987: 18, no. 16. 6 According to Benoit and Boismard (1951), the site was used by pilgrims in the fourth to seventh centuries CE. Bagatti (1952–53: 131, no. 38) identified the cave as the place where Jesus ate one of the three meals with his disciples before his death. Testa (1964: 128–131) argues that the cave was used by Jewish Christians as a ritual site, even before the Byzantine period. Taylor (1990) disagrees with Testa: he states that the cave was used by Christians in the fourth to seventh centuries CE, and identifies it with the hospitium (guest room) of Martha and Mary. 7 Loffreda 1969: 358–366. 1

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190.2. El-ʿEizariya, general plan of the late church.

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191. Burj el-Aḥmar (edj Jureine; ed-Dschunene) Ref. IOG: 17490 13085 Ref. ITM: 22490 63085 Ref. UTM: 71414 51716 The site, a chapel, is located ca 0.5 km east of elʿEizariya; a Greek Orthodox church was built over it in the late nineteenth century. The site is identified with the place where Jesus met Martha and Mary before he entered the village of Bethany (John 11:21– 30).1 A.M. Schneider, who surveyed the site in the late 1920s, provided a plan of the church. The chapel (19.44×14.7 m) has three apses that form a cruciform hall. The eastern apse is internal, while the other two, to the north and south, are external. The chapel entrance was in the western wall, with an additional entrance from the northern apse. Schneider dated the church to the sixth century CE.2 1 Concerning the site identification, see Tabula: 93. Bethany was the village and burial place of Lazarus. It is identified with Bethany (present-day el-ʿEizariya); see el-ʿEizariya (site no. 190) in this volume. See the surveys: Guérin 1874–75 I: 163–166 (El-Aʾzarieh); Van Kasetern 1890: 84; Schneider 1930; Magen and Finkelstein 1993: 351, no. 437. See also: Saller 1957: 362–364; Ovadiah 1970: 51–52, no. 40. 2 Schneider 1930.

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191. Burj el-Aḥmar, general plan of the chapel.

192. El-Khirbe Ref. IOG: 17745 13023 Ref. ITM: 22745 63023 Ref. UTM: 71670 51659 cistern on the eastern slope, and dwelling caves on the northern slope, all apparently also from the Iron Age. A Byzantine hospice was discovered on the western slope.2 The hospice covered an area of 500 sq. m. It contained a structure consisting of two units: a chapel, and to its south, a residential and service unit.

The site extends over a hilltop and its slopes, ca. 2 km east of Abu Dis. North of the site is the ancient road between Jerusalem and Jericho.1 The site was first surveyed in 1993, and was excavated in 1995. At the top of the hilltop, excavations uncovered a rectangular walled enclosure containing an open courtyard and dwellings from the Iron Age. There is a

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The chapel (12.5×6.5 m) has an outer face of ashlar construction. It is supported by a retaining wall to the west. Two entrances lead to the chapel: the one from the north, faces the main road; the other, from the south, faces the hospice rooms. The prayer hall is paved in white mosaic, with a square pier in the center of the hall. The church has a raised bema and an inner apse. Its floor was paved in white mosaic, of which only a few segments remain. The southern unit comprises five rooms. Two piers were preserved in the northernmost room. Tesserae were also discovered in the room, which was probably residential. The others were service rooms, most likely stables. Based on the pottery finds, the excavator dated the hospice to the Byzantine period.3 Concerning the ancient road, see: Wilkinson 1975: Schiller 1983; Magen and Finkelstein 1993: 344. 2 For the site excavation, see: Hizmi 2002; 2004. The excavator (Hizmi 2004: 170) proposed identifying the Iron Age site with biblical Gilgal (Josh. 15:7). See the survey, Magen and Finkelstein 1993: 383–384, no. 500. 3 Hizmi 2004: 172–177. 1

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192. El-Khirbe, general plan of the hospice.

193. Khirbet el-Muraṣ ṣ aṣ —Monastery of Martyrius (Kh. Murasas) Ref. IOG: 17840 13180 Ref. ITM: 22840 63180 Ref. UTM: 71762 51818 The site, a monastery ruins, is located in the Judean Desert, on the ancient road between Jerusalem, the Hyrcania Valley, and the northern Dead Sea, on a hilltop that is 505 m above sea level.1 It is in the center of the present-day city of Maʿale Adummim. The site was first identified by J.P. Van Kasteren with the monastery of Martyrius,2 a coenobium mentioned by Cyril (Life of Euthymius 32; 44, 65; 46; 48, 69; 50, 72; Life of Sabas 83, 188; 86, 193; Life of Theodosius 4, 239).3 The finds at the site unequivocally confirmed this identification.4

Prolonged, intensive excavations carried out intermittently at the site between 1979 and 2006 uncovered a large monastery (77×64.5 m) with a nearby pilgrim hospice (maximal dimensions, 40×27 m). Four phases are evident at the site: phase I, a Roman fortress erected in the late fourth century CE5; phase IIA, the establishment of the monastery, from the second half of the fifth to the first half of the sixth century CE. The monastery of this phase, which was of limited extent, was established in the Roman fortress by Martyrius, a monk and archimandrite; phase IIB,

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193.1. Kh. el-Muraṣṣaṣ—monastery of Martyrius, general plan of the site.

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193.2. Kh. el-Muraṣṣaṣ—monastery of Martyrius.

a built cistern that had been an open pool in phase I. The hospice, established northeast of the compound, comprised a chapel, guest rooms, and stables. The monastery was abandoned following the Arab conquest, becoming an agricultural farm. A square structure with a courtyard at its center was erected in the west of the monastery. Abundant rainfall in the area enabled the development of extensive agriculture both within and beyond the monastery compound, with stone channels carrying water to irrigate the crops.8

mid-sixth century CE until the Arab conquest: this was the high point of the monastery, with renovations conducted by Genesius, the archimandrite during the reign of Justinian, as indicated by inscriptions discovered at the site6; phase III, establishment of the agricultural farm in the vicinity of the monastery, dated to the Early Islamic period. When the monastery reached its peak, the main gate was installed in the eastern wall and protected by a large rolling stone. Two large stables were found close to the gate. At the center of the east of the monastery was a church complex; the late church was built over the earlier one. Alongside it was a burial hall (martyrium), with a crypt for the monastery abbots. In addition to the church, the monastery also contained four chapels, one dedicated to the memory of three priests who had served there.7 The most impressive structure at the site is the refectory, built in the form of a basilica church at the northwestern end of the monastery. The adjoining kitchen yielded hundreds of vessels, including 400 wine cups. Huge cisterns were found in the monastery and its surroundings, including

For the excavations, see: Magen and Talgam 1990; Magen 1993. See the surveys: Tobler 1854: 753–765; Marti 1880: 28–29; SWP III: 121–122; Magen and Finkelstein 1993: 396– 397, no. 520. See also: Magen and Hizmi 1985; Hirschfeld 1990: 20–22, no. 9. Concerning the ancient road, see: Har-El 1978; 1980: 138–147; Sion 1991. 2 Van Kasteren 1890: 84–90. See also: Hirschfeld 1992: 42–45; Tabula: 190. 3 See also Di Segni 2005a: 111–112, 126, 128–130, 214, 218, 254. 4 Magen and Talgam 1990; Di Segni 1990a.

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193.3. Kh. el-Muraṣṣaṣ—monastery of Martyrius, the church, view from the northwest.

193.4. Kh. el-Muraṣṣaṣ—monastery of Martyrius, the “chapel of three priests” after reconstruction.

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193.5. Kh. el-Muraṣṣaṣ—monastery of Martyrius, the refectory after reconstruction. This phase, not mentioned in early publications on the site, will be published in the forthcoming volume, The Martyrius Monastery (JSP), by Y. Magen. The fortress erected at the site was probably part of the defensive system of towers and fortresses established by the Roman army during that period against the Saracens and Samaritans in southern Judea and Samaria, and in the Judean Desert. See Magen 2008b; 2008c. 6 Di Segni 1990a: 153–155, 158–159. 7 Di Segni 1990a: 159–160. 8 E. Damati excavated the site in 1979–1980. He published the irrigation systems in the gardens outside the monastery, dating them to the Byzantine period; see: Damati 1989; 2002. Finds from excavations made in later years lead us to differ with him. 5

193.6. Kh. el-Muraṣṣaṣ—monastery of Martyrius, basket capital found in the hospice.

193.7. Kh. el-Muraṣṣaṣ—monastery of Martyrius, tombstone bearing the name of Paul, the abbot of the monastery.

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194. Khan el-Aḥmar—Monastery of Euthymius (Khân el Ahmâr) Ref. IOG: 18193 13330 Ref. ITM: 23193 63330 Ref. UTM: 72112 31975 The monastery bears the name of the one of the fathers of Judean Desert monasticism in the Byzantine period. Euthymius was born in Armenia in 377 CE and came to the Holy Land in 405 CE. In 428 CE he established a laura, where he remained until he died in 473 CE, at the age of 93, and was buried there. In

The site, a monastery ruins, is located in the Judean Desert, west of a small north–south streambed on the ancient route from Jerusalem, via Buqeʿah (the Hyrcania Valley), to the northern Dead Sea.1 It currently is in the center of the Mishor Adummim industrial area.

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194.1. Khan el-Aḥmar—monastery of Euthymius, general plan of the site.

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194.2. Khan el-Aḥmar—monastery of Euthymius, view from the east.

482 CE the monastery became a coenobium (Life of Euthymius 14–16; 40; 42–43).2 The monastery was not abandoned following the Arab conquest, but was damaged by an earthquake in 659 CE. It was restored and continued to exist in the Early Islamic period. Abbot Daniel, a Russian pilgrim who visited the site in 1107, noted that the monastery was abandoned.3 In 1177 the site was reconstructed yet again, only to be abandoned after the Crusader period.4 The site was called Khan el-Aḥmar (the red khan). This name apparently resulted from a mistaken identification made by nineteenth century researchers.5 Khan el-Aḥmar should be the khan established in Maʿale Adummim (The Good Samaritan Inn), the site on the ancient road to Jericho that continued in use in the Ottoman period.6 Intensive excavations were carried out periodically at the site between the 1920s and 2000s.7 Preservation activities and renovations were also conducted, and the site was opened to the public.8 Excavations uncovered a compound (65×54 m) encompassed by a wall and

entered through the northern wall. A tower (6.5×5.4 m) was preserved in the compound’s southwestern corner. The site had many building phases, and was apparently planned around a central courtyard paved with well-fitting stone slabs. On the south is a pilgrim hospice, apparently built in the Crusader period. The monastery might have been established in a fourth century CE Roman fortress. The monastery church, basilical in plan (25.5× 14 m), was built in the southeast of the compound on three vaults, to raise it above its surroundings. The nave was paved in opus sectile. The church was built in the Early Islamic period and renovated in the Crusader period; the nature of the Byzantine church has not been determined. In the center of the monastery is a built crypt roofed by a barrel vault. The numerous graves built in the crypt floor are covered with stone slabs.9 It seems that Euthymius was interred here. As in many monasteries in the Judean Desert and the desert’s edge, the site boasted a sophisticated

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water system. The largest of the four large cisterns (ca. 23×12×15 m) was unearthed on the east of the monastery, in the bed of the stream that flowed from north to south. The water was drained through an advanced system of channels that led to an extremely large settling pit, which filtered the water before it flowed to the largest cistern. This cistern is identical in shape to the cistern built at the monastery of Martyrius. It was covered by two parallel barrel vaults. Water was drawn from the cistern bottom to the upper pool at the southwest of the cistern using a chain of ceramic juglets on a water wheel, which was turned by a beast of burden. Many of the pottery juglets were discovered in the latest excavations.

Concerning the site identification, see: Furrer 1880: 234; Vailhé 1900: 22–23, no. 42; Génier 1909; Tabula: 167. See the survey, SWP II: 119–120. See also: Riess 1892: 212–226; Schneider 1938: 104–105, Fig. 18. 6 Magen 2008d: 281, note 2. See also site no. 164 in volume I. 7 The first excavations at the site were conducted in 1927– 1930 by D.J. Chitty. Additional excavations were conducted in the 1970s by Y.E. Meimaris, and in the 1980s by Y. Hirschfeld and R. Birger-Calderon. For the excavations, see: Chitty and Jones 1928; Chitty 1930; 1932; Meimaris 1989; Birger and Hirschfeld 1988–89; Hirschfeld 1993a. See also: Ovadiah 1970: 103–104, no. 97; Hirschfeld 1990: 15–18, no. 6. After that, excavations were conducted during the 1990s and early 2000s. The excavations were undertaken under the direction of N. Tal (ref. nos. Judea and Samaria 740, 756), N. Tal and U. Ben-Ziony (ref. no. Judea and Samaria 790), O. Fogel (ref. no. Judea and Samaria 887), B. Har-Even and B. Yuzefovsky (ref. no. Judea and Samaria 926), on behalf of the Staff Officer of Archaeology—Civil Administration of Judea and Samaria; the findings have not yet been published. 8 The site preservation was conducted as part of the ‟Tourism 2000” project by Dr. Y. Magen, Staff Officer of Archaeology in Judea and Samaria. 9 Barrois 1930. 5

Concerning the ancient road, see: Har-El 1978; 1980: 138–147; Sion 1991. 2 See also: Di Segni 2005a: 18–21, 88–92, 119–125; Hirschfeld 1992: 242–243. 3 Raba 1986: 46. 4 When the pilgrim Joannes Phocas visited the location in 1185, the monastery had been restored; see Joannes Phocas XVIII. 1

194.3. Khan el-Aḥmar—monastery of Euthymius, view from the northwest.

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195. Khirbet Handoma (Handumah) Ref. IOG: 18300 13325 Ref. ITM: 23300 63325 Ref. UTM: 72219 51972 a second story, near the entrance in the west. The second story floor was paved in a colorful mosaic, which was found in the ruins. No Christian finds that are characteristic of monasteries were discovered, e.g., crosses and chancel screen parts. According to the excavator, a monastery existed at the site in the fifth and sixth centuries CE, its church on the second story, over the hall.2 The excavator raised the possibility of identifying the site with the church that was built for the Saracens, as Cyril relates (Life of Euthymius 15).3

The site is located on a spur ca.1 km east of Mishor Adummim, and was excavated in 1991–1992.1 The site comprises a structure with a square central courtyard bounded by rooms to the north and west. South of the structure is an elliptical courtyard (32×29 m), bounded in the east and west by stone fences, with a cistern in its center and trenches that drained runoff water from the central structure. Extending eastward from the central structure is a structure that includes a hall (13×6.4 m) whose ceiling is borne by three pairs of piers, and a staircase leading to

0

195.1. Kh. Handoma, general plan of the site.

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In the Byzantine period chapels were built on second stories, mainly in Roman structures converted into monasteries; here, too, a Roman tower might have preceded the monastery.

For the excavation, see: Sion 1992; 1993a; 1997. See the survey, Sion 1993b. See also Sion 1994: 228–232. 2 Sion 1997: 156. 3 Sion 1992: 285–286; 1997: 157. See also Di Segni 2005a: 89–90. 1

195.2. Kh. Handoma, remains of the structure.

196. Deir Mukallik—Monastery of Theoctistus (Deir Mukelik; Dēr el-Mkellik; Wâdî Mukellik) Ref. IOG: 18590 13180 Ref. ITM: 23590 63180 Ref. UTM: 72512 51833 The site is a coenobium monastery, located next to Naḥal ʾOg, in a canyon section of Wadi el-Mukallik, from which it received its name. It lies south of the ancient road between Jerusalem and Jericho, in the

area that Cyril called the “desert of Coutila.” Cyril, who reports at length on the establishment of the monastery, relates that Euthymius and his friend Theoctistus arrived at the site in 411 CE, settling in a

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196.1. Deir Mukallik—monastery of Theoctistus, general plan of the site.

196.2. Deir Mukallik—monastery of Theoctistus, view from the south.

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cave on a steep cliff; and that after a number of years, many monks had gathered around them. Euthymius left to found additional monasteries, but Theoctistus remained, and the monastery was accordingly named after him (Life of Euthymius 8–9).1 The site was surveyed by many scholars, beginning in the nineteenth century.2 The monastery covers an area of ca. 2200 sq. m. Above the streambed, sections were found of a 95 m-long retaining wall that supported the monastery structures, along with dwelling caves and cells, cisterns, and a cave that contained a church. The surveyors also came across a path from the monastery of Euthymius to this one. East of the church cave is a two-story tower that is dated to the medieval period.3 A covered cistern was discovered west of the structural remains of the monastery gate, and next to it, on the stone wall, carved crosses and several carved Greek inscriptions.4 Concerning the site identification, see: Hirschfeld 1990: 12–13, no. 4; Tabula: 111. See also: Vailhé 1900: 74, no. 129; 1907: 342–348; Leclercq 1929: 1986–1988; Di Segni 2005a: 81–84. 2 See the surveys: Drake 1874: 72–73; SWP III: 198–199; Fast 1913; Chitty 1928: 139–145, Pls. I–VII; Meinardus 1964–65: 246–250; Blomme and Nodet 1979; Patrich 1985; 1987–88: 68; Patrich and Di Segni 1987; Hirschfeld 1988–89a: 99–100; Goldfus, Arubas and Alliata 1995. See also SRF 46. 3 Hirschfeld: 1992: 34–36. See also Ovadiah 1970: 47–48, no. 34. 4 Patrich and Di Segni 1987: 272–277; Goldfus, Arubas and Alliata 1995: 282–292.

1

196.3. Deir Mukallik—monastery of Theoctistus, view from the southwest.

197. ʿEin Abu Maḥmud (ʿEin Abu Maḥmȗd) Ref. IOG: 19590 13380 Ref. ITM: 24590 63380 Ref. UTM: 73508 52053 150 m north of it (ITM: 24570/63390). The site was surveyed in 1987 as part of the survey of the Qumran caves. The first hermitage contained two small rooms

The site is located 3 km northwest of the Dead Sea and 7 km south of Jericho. Two hermitages were located in caves here, some 200 m apart. The first hermitage is about 300 m northeast of the spring, and the other,

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1

1

1-1

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197.1. ʿEin Abu Maḥmud, plan and section of the cave north of the spring.

197.2. ʿEin Abu Maḥmud.

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in Greek that might have served as a private chapel. One of the inscriptions mentions the name Iohannes.1

and a corridor (18 m long) that led to an additional cell. There are crosses on the walls. One of the rooms might have functioned as a private chapel. The second hermitage has a corridor (15 m long), open at both ends, with a cell on its east. The corridor contains a niche with crosses and inscriptions

See the survey, Patrich 1995: 128–132. See also: Hirschfeld 1990: 73–74 (E, F); Tabula: 115–116.

1

198. Tel Beth Shemesh (Kh. Aʾin Chems; Kh. Aïn Chems; ʿAin Shems; Beth Shémesh; ʿEin Shemesh; Beth Šemeš; Kh. Birer-Rumeila; Kh. Rumeila) Ref. IOG: 14750 12846 Ref. ITM: 19750 62846 Ref. UTM: 68679 51421 19:41; I Sam. 6:9, 12; II Kings 14:11, etc.). Eusebius identified Beth Shemesh (Βηθσαμές) as a site located 10 Roman miles east of Eleutheropolis (Beth Guvrin),

The site is located 20 km west of Jerusalem. It has been identified with biblical Beth Shemesh, mentioned as a city in the territory of the Tribe of Judah (Josh. 15:10;

0

198.1. Tel Beth Shemesh, general plan of the Byzantine structure.

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in the territory of the Tribe of Benjamin (On. 54:11).1 The site and its vicinity were surveyed, and wideranging excavations were undertaken in the tell.2 The site was first excavated in 1911–1912; the excavations uncovered, among other things, a Byzantine structure, of ashlar construction, situated at the southeastern end of the tell. The structure (ca. 60×50 m) contained a cistern. A cross appears on one of the two lintels that survived in the walls, and a tabula ansata, on the other. Byzantine capitals were also found. A single capital with a carved cross was discovered in secondary use in the ruins of the nearby Abu Meizar mosque. The excavator identified the structure as a monastery, although no church or chapel was discovered there. Identification of the structure is based on the rectangular hall in its south. The hall is east–west in orientation, and might therefore have served as a chapel, despite its lacking an apse.3 In Kh. ʿEin Shams, located east of the tell, a capital carved with a rosette was found that the surveyor linked with the monastery on the tell.4

Kletter 1991; Greenhut 1991; Bunimovitz and Lederman; 2001. See the surveys: Guérin 1868–69 II: 18–22; Abel 1936; Dagan 1991; 2010: 9–11, no. 6. 3 Mackenzie 1911: 72–84, Pl. XIII; Bagatti 2002b: 118–122, Fig. 20: 1–3, Pl. 18:2. 4 Dagan 2010: 14, no. 9.

Concerning the site identification, see: Robinson and Smith 1860 II: 223–225; Thomsen 1907: 33; Abel 1933–38 II: 282; Klein 1939: 163; Avi-Yonah 1976: 41; Wilkinson 1977: 153; Schwartz 1986: 94, 97; Reeg 1989: 125; Tabula: 86. 2 Mackenzie 1911, especially pp. 72–84. For additional excavations at and near the site, see: Grant and Wright 1939; Epstein 1972; Bahat 1973; Bunimovitz, Lederman and 1

0

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10

198.2. Tel Beth Shemesh, capital found at the site.

199. Khirbet es-Suyyagh (Kh. al-Suyyagh; Kh. es-Sîâgh; Kh. eṣ-Ṣ uy-yāgh) Ref. IOG: 15012 12842 Ref. ITM: 20012 62842 Ref. UTM: 68941 51422 from the Second Temple to Abbasid periods, with a coenobium established at the site in the Byzantine period. The site was damaged when the area was leveled, leaving mainly the wall foundations.1 The monastery, which exhibits a number of

The site is located at the end of a spur overlooking Naḥal Zanoaḥ, in the northeast of the Judean Shephelah, near the ancient road between Beth Guvrin-Eleutheropolis and Jerusalem. Excavations in 2004–2005 revealed a site that had been inhabited

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6

m

199. Kh. es-Suyyagh, general plan of the monastery.

building phases, consists of two units: the central unit, with living quarters and service rooms, courtyards, cisterns, and an oil press2; and a smaller unit in the southwest of the monastery, which contained the church compound. The church is basilical in plan with a narthex in its west (16.7×13.4 m). The narthex is partially preserved; a wall built along its entire width divided into two. The nave and aisles were separated by two rows of columns; the bases of some were found scattered in the site, some in secondary use. A white mosaic was discovered in the northern aisle, and colorful tesserae were found scattered in the church. Parts of the bema and marble fragments from the chancel screen were revealed. The church apse is trapezoidal on the outside; its outer face is of ashlars, its inner face, of fieldstones. The south of the apse was coarsely rebuilt during the seventh century CE. Adjoining the church to the north is a long hall, divided into two. The excavator opined that it might have functioned as the refectory and kitchen.3 An ashlar with an inscribed cross was found, not in situ, close to the church complex.4 A massive tower

of ashlar construction is located in the northwestern corner of the monastery compound.5 Construction of the monastery and church is dated to the second half of the sixth century CE, and they continued in use until the late seventh or early eighth century CE. A non-Christian population settled at the site in the Umayyad period, and changes were introduced in the structure.6 For the excavations, see: Taxel 2006; 2009a, especially pp. 24–68; Greenhut 2001; Kogan Zehavi 2008. See the surveys: SWP III: 125; Greenhut, Weiss and Solimany 2000; Weiss, Zissu and Solimany 2004: 27–28, no. 16; Dagan 2010: 19–20, no. 13. See also: Taxel 2008: 62–63; 2009b: 136. 2 According to the excavator, the oil press was established in the Byzantine period and continued to function in the Umayyad and Abbasid periods. We maintain that the oil press establish in the Umayyad period after the monastery had ceased functioning; see Magen 2008e: 301. 3 Taxel 2009a: 67. 4 Taxel 2006: 175, Fig. 4. 5 In our opinion, this tower is characteristic of the fourth century Roman towers around which monasteries were built; see Magen 2008c. 6 Taxel 2008: 62–63; 2009a: 24.

1

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200. Khirbet Deiry (Kh. ʾAmrân; Kh. ʿUmran; Deir el-Hawaesh Sharqiya) Ref. IOG: 15500 12820 Ref. ITM: 20500 62820 Ref. UTM: 69429 51410 that exhibits a number of building phases. The first phase is dated to the sixth century CE. The narthex is of ashlar construction, and an entrance in its southeast led to the southern aisle. Two additional entrances probably provided access to the nave and northern aisle. The narthex mosaic floor contained a grid of diamonds and buds. The nave and aisles were

The site is located in the hills of western Jerusalem, close to Moshav Nes Harim, on a ridge of Har Yaʿala. Surveys conducted at the site revealed remains of structures, cisterns, rock-cut installations, and a burial cave with a decorated facade.1 Salvage excavations conducted at the site in 2008–2009 uncovered and partially excavated a basilica church with a narthex

0

First Phase Second Phase

200. Kh. Deiry, construction phases of the church.

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Part of the church structure was destroyed during some phase of the church’s existence, and a number of repairs were made in it and in the chapel. The narthex’s southern wall was repaired and two piers that probably bore an arch were built in the southern aisle. The chapel apse’s northern wall was thickened, additional walls were built west of the inscription, and a pier was added in the southeast of the apse. The church was in use, at the latest, until the early eighth century CE, when it was abandoned. Much of the church structure and its mosaics were destroyed in the eighth century CE, and the place became a dwelling. A winepress with a white mosaic floor, a tower, and a water reservoir were discovered next to the church.2

separated by two rows of columns on stylobates. Segments of a colorful mosaic and the bedding layer of the nave floor were revealed, as were mosaic segments of geometric patterns in the southern aisle floor. The bema and apse were elevated above the nave, from which they were separated by a chancel screen. Passage from the northern aisle to an area outside the church was afforded by an entrance at the eastern end of the northern wall. This area had a white mosaic floor, which was partially exposed. South of the church is a chapel (estimated dimensions, 10.5×4 m), built in a later phase. The floor of the square apse unearthed in the chapel was paved in colorful mosaic, west of which was a tabula ansata containing a five-line Greek inscription that names the donors. The mosaic carpet is decorated with a recurring pattern of intersecting circles, the intersections of which form cross designs.

See the surveys: SWP III: 111; Weiss, Zissu and Solimany 2004: 32–33, no. 27. 2 For the excavation, see Ein-Mor 2009. 1

201.ʿEin el-Jedide (ʿEin el-Jadida; ʿAin el-Jedideh; ʿAin el-Jedīde) Ref. IOG: 16325 12921 Ref. ITM: 21325 62921 Ref. UTM: 70252 51528 The site is located about 1.5 km southwest of the Jerusalem neighborhood of ʿEin Kerem. Excavations conducted at the site in 1934 uncovered a monastery with rooms and a chapel built around a central courtyard. The center of the courtyard floor is paved with white tesserae, the remainder with stone slabs. Below the courtyard floor is a barrel-vaulted cistern. South of the courtyard is a small chapel (5×4 m), entered from the north. In front of the entrance, in the courtyard floor, is a partially preserved five-line Greek inscription. An additional chapel entrance on the west is from an unpaved adjoining room. The chapel has a raised chancel, an internal apse, and is flanked by two rectangular niches. The southern wall is preserved to a height of ca. 2 m; the upper course seems to

201.1. ʿEin el-Jedide, Greek inscription in the chapel mosaic floor.

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the monastery. In the 1997 excavations conducted at the site, the excavator dated the pool to the Byzantine period, noting that it might have belonged to the monastery.2

indicate that the chapel had a vaulted roof: traces of depressions that apparently held the beams are visible there. The chapel is paved in a colorful mosaic, partly preserved, ornamented with geometrical patterns. Two rooms north of the courtyard, partly paved in mosaic, contain a winepress. The monastery is dated to the sixth century CE.1 Spring water flowed to a pool located 30 m south of

For the monastery excavations, see Hamilton 1935. See also: Ovadiah 1970: 54–55, no. 44; Cohen 1993: 1068; Bagatti 2002b: 21–23; Tabula: 116. 2 Baruch 2001. 1

0

201.2. ʿEin el-Jedide, general plan of the monastery.

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202. ʿEin el-Ḥanniya (Aʾin el-Hanîeh; ʾAin Ḥannîyeh; ʿAin Hanniya; Ruus el-Ḥanniya) Ref. IOG: 16505 12799 Ref. ITM: 21505 62799 Ref. UTM: 70434 51410 The site is located 12 km southwest of Jerusalem. Surveyed on numerous occasions, caves, tombs, and winepresses were observed in the vicinity of the site.1 B. Bagatti described burial caves, with incised crosses on some of the tombs.2 Excavations conducted at the site in 1932 unearthed foundations of a basilica church whose northwest had been damaged by road construction.3 The church was erected on an ancient road to Gaza.4 The church (ca. 32×13 m), consisting of an atrium and a narthex, exhibits a number of building phases. The atrium, entered from the west, is paved in white mosaic. In the first phase the atrium and narthex were separated by a step with a row of columns. The narthex was paved with a mosaic ornamented with Maltese cross patterns. In a later phase, walls divided the narthex into a closed porch flanked by rooms. Of the three openings from the narthex to the prayer hall, only the southern one is preserved. The prayer hall (15×11.5 m) is divided by two rows of five columns on stylobates. The colorful nave mosaic floor contains geometrical patterns, floral and faunal decorations, and an amphora. It bears clear signs of iconoclasm. The aisle mosaic floor is decorated with geometrical patterns. The bema, higher than the prayer hall, was reached by a step that was later destroyed. The chancel screen was separated from the bema, and depressions in which posts rested were discovered. A chancel screen fragment was later used to repair the partially damaged narthex floor. The bema and apse were separated by two steps. In the apse there are signs apparently attesting to an altar, below which is a marble casket (not a reliquary), in situ, containing human and animal bones.5 In a later phase the apse was paved with stone slabs. It is flanked by two rectangular pastophoria, entered from the aisles, and separated from them by steps. There is a niche in the southwestern corner of the southern room. The floor was raised in the later phase and paved in white

0 0

6 6m m

Fifth and Sixth Century CE Fifth and Sixth Century CE Eight Century CE Eight Century CE 202.1. ʿEin el-Ḥanniya, construction phases of the church.

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202.2. ʿEin el-Ḥanniya, nave mosaic floor with signs of iconoclasm.

added in the Byzantine period. In the last phase the capital was used as part of the stone fill that covered the water channel leading to the nymphaeum.8

mosaic. Beneath it, remains of an additional mosaic floor were discovered. The floor of the northern room was also raised and paved with a mosaic, decorated with Maltese cross patterns, which was covered with mortar in a later phase. An altar most likely stood in the east. Coins and Early Islamic oil lamps were also found, along with fragments of zoomorphic vessels. The church is dated to the fifth and sixth centuries CE. Changes in the church structure and mosaics are dated to the early eighth century CE.6 Near the source of the spring are the remains of a structure, one of whose walls is curved. This structure may have been a nymphaeum.7 A Corinthian capital with a floral decoration and two carved crosses that were each surrounded by a double circle was found at a height of over a meter above the water channel leading to the nymphaeum. According to the researcher, the capital is Late Roman, the crosses

See the surveys: Guérin 1868–69 I: 108–113; SWP III: 22, 59–60; Kloner 2000: 36, nos. [105]52, [105]56 (Ruus el-Ḥanniya). Also, near the site, capitals and doorposts in secondary use were surveyed that might have originated at the site; see Kloner 2000: 36, no. [105]55 (Ruus el-Ḥanniya). 2 Bagatti 2002b: 26. 3 For the excavation, see Baramki 1934. See also: Ovadiah 1970: 55, no. 45; Bagatti 2002b: 25–27; Tabula: 116. 4 Bagatti 2002b: 26. 5 Zias 1985. Bagatti (2002b: 25) mentioned two bone reliquaries. 6 Baramki 1934: 116–117. 7 Guérin 1868–69 I: 108–109; SWP III: 59–60; Kloner 2000: 36, no. [105]52. 8 Mizrachi 2005.

1

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202.3. ʿEin el-Ḥanniya, in situ marble casket.

202.4. ʿEin el-Ḥanniya, architectural elements in secondary use.

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203. Beit Ṣ afafa (Bēt ṣafāfa; Beit Safafa; Kh. Sheibun) Ref. IOG: 16895 12870 Ref. ITM: 21895 62870 Ref. UTM: 70823 51489 This site is located in a village in the southwest of Jerusalem. In 1952 a mausoleum and a chapel were excavated. The mausoleum consisted of an underground hall divided into eight cells, some containing lead coffins decorated with crosses. North of the mausoleum was a vaulted chapel (ca. 8×7 m), entered through the eastern wall. The chapel was divided into a nave and two aisles by two rows of two columns. An apse was not found.1 The chapel’s colorful mosaic floor is decorated with geometrical designs. At the western end of the nave floor, a Greek inscription in a tabula ansata mentions the date of the conclusion of construction, in the fourteenth indiction.2 For the excavation, see Landau 1957. See the survey, Kloner 2000: 34, no. [105]48. See also: Avi-Yonah 1955: 23–24; Lifshitz 1962: 79–80; Bagatti 2002b: 24; Tabula: 229. Avi-Yonah (1993b) mentions a square apse. 2 Avi-Yonah 1957; SEG XVI: no. 850; Ovadiah and Ovadiah1987: 81, no. 119; Di Segni 1993; 1997. 1

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203. Beit Ṣ afafa, general plan of the chapel.

3 m 3 m

204. Naḥal Qidron Ref. IOG: 17470 12860 Ref. ITM: 22470 62860 Ref. UTM: 71398 51490 The site is located on the lower eastern slope of a high hill east of Naḥal Qidron, close to the ʿArab esSawaḥira neighborhood in Jerusalem. Following a salvage excavation conducted in 2003 it was identified as a monastery. The monastery was damaged by the construction of the security fence and was only partially excavated.1

The excavation unearthed a rectangular compound with rooms built along its walls and surrounding a courtyard. In the north of the monastery is a church (20×9 m). Of the apse, only the hewn foundation remains. Segment of a colorful mosaic decorated with figures of a deer and an octopus survived in the prayer hall. West of the prayer hall is a narthex, and

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204.1. Naḥal Qidron, general plan of the monastery.

204.2. Naḥal Qidron, prayer hall mosaic floor segment adorned with figures of a deer and an octopus.

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south of it, a courtyard surrounded by columns, some with rock-cut bases. The cistern in the courtyard is still used by neighborhood residents. In the center of the courtyard is a descent to three subterranean burial systems, two of which are reached by stairs, the third through a rectangular shaft. The earliest burial system has trough graves, some with arcosolia, and a cist tomb. A red Maltese cross with signs of effacement, which the excavator believes were made by Muslims, is visible in the tomb’s western wall. To the south is an additional burial system with two tombs cut in the floor, and an additional one in the side of the cave. North is a burial system with rockcut and plastered trough tombs. The late burials attest to the secondary use of the tombs. A staircase in the east of the courtyard led to an additional subterranean burial system with trough tombs, situated outside the monastery. An industrial oil press is located in the south of the monastery. For the excavation, see Barbé and Zelinger 2005. See the survey, Kloner 2000: 142, no. [106]88.

1

204.3. Naḥal Qidron, narthex and prayer hall, view from the west.

205. Khirbet el-Jiljil (Kh. el-Jiljiliah) Ref. IOG: 14725 12685 Ref. ITM: 19725 62685 Ref. UTM: 68657 51260 use, some of them ashlars. The excavators assume that an early Roman structure had stood there before being dismantled.2 Two rooms in the eastern wing were paved in colorful mosaics. One (7.3×6.7 m), in the south of the wing, had a square pier in its center, and arch-bearing piers along its northern and southern walls. In the mostly white mosaic carpet, a single panel is decorated with a colorful interlaced circle design. North of this room is a lengthwise corridor with a mosaic carpet decorated with a geometric pattern and containing a Greek inscription blessing those who enter, set in a tabula

The site is located on a hill slope, ca. 1 km northwest of Beit Jimal. It was initially excavated in 1999, when a round structure, dated to the fourth century CE and built over a tomb, was discovered. The structure functioned as a winepress in the Byzantine period. Later excavations conducted in 2003 partially excavated a large structure with a fenced courtyard in front of it, south of the round structure. Below the structure are two subterranean hiding complexes, dated to the second century CE.1 The structure (ca. 50×50 m) contains several wings. The structure’s walls yielded stones in secondary

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205. Kh. el-Jiljil, general plan of the monastery.

ansata, with a cross decoration. The inscription is dated to the fifth century CE.3 Caves, agricultural installations, a Byzantine arcosolium tomb, a large cistern, and a lintel with a tabula ansata were discovered in the vicinity of the site, along with an Ionian capital bearing a Greek inscription and cross decorations.4 The site was abandoned in the Late Byzantine period and resettled in the Umayyad period. According to the excavators, the walled compound north of Beit Jimal with the remains of a chapel, described by P.M. Gisler in the

early 1920s, refers to this site, although there was no evidence of a chapel in the excavation. They maintain that it cannot be determined whether the site functioned as a coenobium or as an agricultural estate in the Byzantine period.5 Y. Dagan, who surveyed the site recently, described remains of structures and east of them, two curved walls, and noted that one of them turned eastward and was possibly a church apse. How these walls are positioned, relative to the excavated structure, is unclear.6

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For the excavations, see: Strus and Gibson 2005; Mlynarczyk 2005; de Vincenz 2005; Arslan 2005. See the surveys: Séjourné 1892: 262–263; Strus 2003: 31–39; Dagan 2010: 41–44, no. 56. See also Negev and Gibson 2001: 270–271. 2 Strus and Gibson 2005: 55.

Di Segni 2005b; Merrony 2005. Séjourné 1892: 262–263; Gérmer-Durand 1893: 212–213; Di Segni 2005b: 103–104. 5 Gisler 1918: 20; Strus and Gibson 2005: 31, 82. 6 Dagan 2010: 43, no. 56.2.

1

3 4

206. Beit Jimal (Beit Jimāl; Beit el Jemâl; Beit el-Djemâl; Beit el-Djemal; Bet Gemal) Ref. IOG: 14750 12590 Ref. ITM: 19750 62590 Ref. UTM: 68684 51165 The site is located in the northern Shephelah, on a hill south of Beth Shemesh. Excavation of the site in 1916–1917 and 1919–1922 revealed a basilica church (15×9 m). Two rooms had been added on the south, and remains of the monastery walls were visible south of the rooms.1 The northern aisle and most of the nave had been destroyed. The remains indicate that the church had an internal apse and a prayer hall that was divided by a row of three columns on stylobates. A chapel was located in the southern aisle.2 A few segments of the mosaic floor were discovered in the nave and southern aisle. The nave floor contained a five-line Greek inscription, few letters of which were preserved.3 Beneath the nave floor is a large cistern, and under the chapel is a small cave, possibly a crypt, entered via six steps from the southeastern room that had been added adjacent to the church. A white mosaic floor at the cave entrance, as well as the cave walls, were plastered over in a later period.4 F.M. Abel argued that the cave was used for the burial of a Byzantine monk; P.M. Gisler maintained that this is the tomb of St. Stephen5; and A. Strus is of the opinion that in the first phase it functioned as a Jewish miqveh (ritual bath).6 The church, built in the fifth and sixth centuries CE, was probably destroyed during the Arab conquest.

Ovadiah 1970: 28, no. 16; Strus 2003: 481–491; Bagatti 2002b: 135–136; Tabula: 98. 2 Ovadiah (1970: 28) mentions that the church had a double narthex, internal and external. 3 Abel 1919: 247; Avi-Yonah 1933: 148, no. 24. Bagatti (2002b: 135) mentions a four-line inscription. 4 Strus 1988; 2003: 481–491. 5 Abel 1924b: 242. For Gisler’s opinion, see Strus 2003: 484. 6 Strus 2003: 485–486, 505–515.

For the excavations, see: Abel 1919; Mallon 1922: 505; 1925; Fergnani 1930. See the surveys: Guérin 1868–69 II: 25–26; SWP III: 24; Séjourné 1892: 262–263; Dagan 2010: 52–105, especially pp. 96–99 and pp. 103–120, nos. 110– 113, 119–120. See also: Gisler 1917; Abel 1924b: 239–245;

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206.1. Beit Jimal, general plan of the church.

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206.2. Beit Jimal, the present-day church.

206.3. Beit Jimal, architectural element adorned with a cross.

206.4. Beit Jimal, mosaic floor segment.

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206.5. Beit Jimal, mosaic floor segment.

206.6. Beit Jimal, Greek inscription in the church mosaic floor.

206.7. Beit Jimal, southern aisle mosaic floor segments.

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207. Deir ʿAsfur (Kh. Aṣfūra; ʾAsfura; Deir ʾAsfûr; Deir ʿAsfūr; Deir ʿAsfour; Deir el-ʿAsfur) Ref. IOG: 14828 12520 Ref. ITM: 19828 62520 Ref. UTM: 68763 51097 The site is located on a hill, 1 km southeast of the monastery of Beit Jimal.1 In the 1924 excavations, remains of walls and segments of a mosaic were observed at the site. The mosaic contains vine scrolls that form medallions with faunal decorations.2 In a survey in the 1990s, remains of a structure that had been raided by antiquities robbers was observed, as well as marble chancel screen fragments and tesserae. According to the surveyor, the structure is probably a church. Three winepresses were found in the vicinity of the site, two on the northwestern slope and one on the northeastern one.3 These finds and the site name apparently indicate that a church or monastery was built there. See the surveys: SWP III: 91; Dagan 2010: 112–116, nos. 132, 135–138. See also: Provera 1978: 86; Bagatti 2002b: 136; Tabula: 110. 2 Tonneau 1929: 424; Avi-Yonah 1933: 151, no. 51; Waliszewski 1994. 3 Dagan 2010: 112–113, no. 132.1. 1

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207. Deir ʿAsfur, mosaic floor segment adorned with medallions containing faunal decorations.

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208. Khirbet ʿEin Faṭṭir (Dhahar Kh. ʿEin Faṭṭir) Ref. IOG: 14930 12600 Ref. ITM: 19930 62600 Ref. UTM: 68864 51179 The site is located on the northwestern slope of a spur south of Beth Shemesh. Excavations conducted at 1989 and between 1990 and 1997 uncovered a basilica church (16.25×11 m) that exhibited a number of building phases.1 The narthex floor is paved in a mosaic containing geometric patterns, of which a few segments remain. Three entrances from the narthex led to the prayer hall, which is divided into two aisles

and a nave by columns, three on each side, built of architectural elements in secondary use and that stand on stylobates. In the second phase, the southern row of columns was blocked by a wall, and the nave floor was covered by a colorful mosaic. The central carpet contains medallions, octagonal patterns, and animal figures. A partially preserved inscription is in the center of the mosaic, with the missing sections covered, in

0

208. Kh. ʿEin Faṭṭir, general plan of the church complex.

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additional room, which had a plastered floor in the first phase and a mosaic floor in the second one. The room was separated from the northern aisle by a wall. In the second phase, two rooms were built that adjoined the northern aisle. The eastern of these rooms was paved in mosaic. The church was built in the second half of the fifth century CE and continued to exist until the mid-seventh century CE.2 Cisterns, winepresses, and an oil press were discovered close to the church.3

part, with white tesserae. The mosaic carpet in the east of the nave is decorated with three circles containing geometric forms. The continuation of the mosaic, in front of the bema, contains a tabula ansata with a five-line Greek inscription mentioning the donors, the bishop Anastasios, and the fourteenth year of the indiction, in which the work was completed. The excavator dates the mosaic, based on the inscription, to the second half of the fifth century CE. North of the inscription is a stone pedestal bearing an ambo. The aisles mosaics contain geometric patterns. The church has inner apse and a bema separated from the nave by three steps. The bema mosaic floor contains medallions of vine scrolls with birds and the figure of a man, and the apse is decorated with flower buds. South of the apse is a room that functioned in the second phase as a chapel, with an entrance in the southern wall. The chapel floor was covered in a mosaic, most of which is not preserved. North of the apse is an

For the excavation, see: Chambon and Strus 1991; 1993; Chambon, Struss and Alpi 1992; Strus 1992; 2003. See the surveys: Nagorsky 2008; Dagan 2010: 119–122, nos. 147– 148. See also: Bagatti 2002b: 135–136; Tabula: 116. 2 Chambon, Strus and Alpi 1992; Strus 1992: 472–478; 2003: 151–175, 189–213; Chambon and Strus 1993: 84. 3 Chambon and Strus 1991; Strus 2003: 166–178; Nagorsky 2008; Dagan 2010: 120, no. 147. The oil press is dated to the Byzantine period, but we assign it a later date, in the Early Islamic period, see Magen 2008e: 302. 1

209. DeiR Abu ʿAli (Deir Abu ʾAly; Kh. Deir Abu ʿAli) Ref. IOG: 15130 12474 Ref. ITM: 20130 62474 Ref. UTM: 69066 51057 corridor from the tomb apparently led to an additional room. The tomb contains remnants of human bones. Architectural elements including lintels decorated with crosses, columns, and piers were found near the structure. The site also yielded remains of a winepress, an oil press, cisterns, and caves. The site is identified as a monastery.2

The site is located on a hilltop ca. 1 km east of Ramat Beth Shemesh.1 Surveys conducted at the site in the current century uncovered a square compound (100×100 m), encompassed by a fence. The compound contains remains of a central structure, of ashlar construction (25.5×12 m), partially preserved to a height of two courses. The structure is divided into two halls with an intervening central courtyard. Below the southern hall is a tomb that was entered through a shaft outside the structure. Three arcosolia were hewn in the cruciform-shaped tomb, whose plastered walls bear remains of red and black paint. A

See the surveys: SWP III: 91; Weiss, Zissu and Solimany 2004: 72, no. 119; Ganor and Ganor 2010. See also: Bagatti 2002b: 137–138; Tabula: 109. 2 Ganor and Ganor 2010. 1

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209. Deir Abu ʿAli, general plan of the central structure.

210. el-Qabu (Kabou; el-Kabû; el-kūbē; Qubi; Quba; Qubia; el-Qābu; el-Kabu; Kubi; ʿEn Qobi) Ref. IOG: 16128 12594 Ref. ITM: 21128 62594 Ref. UTM: 70062 51197 columns with capitals embellished by floral motifs, was ascribed to the Crusader period, along with the wall painting sections with human and animal figures revealed on the walls. A system for transporting water from the spring to a subterranean reservoir that had its beginnings in the Second Temple period was uncovered in the vicinity of the site. Remains of a bathhouse and an oil press, apparently from a later period, were also found.

The site is a village and spring located ca. 2 km west of Battir. Approx. 50 m east of the spring, on the slope, are remains of a church first documented in the Survey of Western Palestine, and was dated to the Crusader period.1 D.M. Gisler surveyed the site in 1939 and assigned it a Byzantine dating, arguing that it was built after the Persian conquest.2 The church was excavated in 2000–2001 and dated to an early phase in the Byzantine period. A later phase was discovered and dated to the Crusader period.3 Access to the church (16×11.6 m) was through an entrance in the western wall. The outer faces of the church walls are of ashlars, some in secondary use, while the inner faces are of fieldstone construction. In the center of the eastern wall, the presumed location of the apse, was stone collapse from which the excavators reconstructed an internal apse. The church roof, of two cross vaults supported by elbow

See the surveys: SWP III: 100; Pringle 1998: 156–157, no. 177. Guérin (1868–69 II: 384–385) surveyed the site but did not mention the church. See also: Thomsen 1907: 82; Abel 1933–38 II: 423; Avi-Yonah 1976: 89; Reeg 1989: 557; Tabula: 209. 2 For Gisler’s observations and the plan of the church see, Bagatti 2002b: 27, 55, Fig. 8:1. 3 For the excavations, see: Billig 2005; Weiss 2006; Zissu and Weiss 2008. 1

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210.1. El-Qabu, elbow columns from the Crusader church.

210.2. El-Qabu, wall painting section from the Crusader church.

211. Beit Jala (Beit Jâla; Beit Ǧāla; Beit Djala; Beit Djâlâ; Beit Gâlâ; Beit Ǧâlâ) Ref. IOG: 16806 12530 Ref. ITM: 21806 62530 Ref. UTM: 70741 51147 This town, located south of Jerusalem,1 contains the Greek Orthodox church of St. Nicholas that F.M. Abel claims contains Byzantine architectural elements.2 The church has a polygonal apse bounded by a niche on each side. A dome rose over the square piers that stood at the center of the prayer hall, beneath which was a burial cave-crypt, reached via stairs. A narrow corridor in the entrance led to a cruciformshaped room, at whose sides were built arches. The finds include bones, pottery, and glass that attest to its use during different periods; Abel dated some of the finds to the fifth to sixth centuries CE.3 B. Bagatti observed that the tomb’s construction is reminiscent of that of Late Roman tombs.4 We maintain that this is a Second Temple period tomb that continued in use

211.1. Beit Jala, column found in one of the houses in the town.

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long afterwards. The vicinity of the town also yielded Byzantine oil lamps, one bearing a Greek inscription, and numerous Byzantine sherds.5

324; Milik 1960: 576, no. 62; Wilkinson 1977: 151; Bagatti 2002b: 29–33; Tabula: 128. 2 Abel 1923. 3 Abel 1923: 264–270; Bagatti 2002b: 30, Fig. 3. 4 Bagatti 2002b: 30. 5 Bagatti 2002b: 30.

See the surveys: Tobler 1854: 413; Guérin 1868–69 I: 113–119; III: 310; SWP III: 20. See also: Abel 1933–38 II:

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211.3. Beit Jala, general plan of the burial cave under the central hall of the church.

211.2. Beit Jala, general plan of the Greek Orthodox church of St. Nicholas.

212. Kathisma Church (Cathisma) Ref. IOG: 17020 12690 Ref. ITM: 22020 62690 Ref. UTM: 70952 51311 Life of Sabas 14, 97; 29, 114), a noble woman living in Jerusalem, in 451–456 CE. According to Christian tradition, the church was built to memorialize the spot where Mary rested on her way to Bethlehem to give birth to her son, Jesus.1

The church is ca. 300 m north of the Mar Elias monastery adjacent to the ancient road between Jerusalem and Bethlehem. It has been identified as the Kathisma (Κάθισμα) Church, and was established by a woman named Ikelia (Life of Theodosius 1, 236;

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212. Kathisma Church, general plan.

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The site, which covers an area of some 10 dunams, was excavated and reconstructed during the 1990s. Excavations revealed an octagonal church (41×38 m) containing four chapels, similar in plan to the church built by Zeno at Mt. Gerizim in 484 CE, and typical of memorial churches. Three building phases were discerned in the church. The first phase is dated to the second half of the fifth century CE, the second, to the sixth century, and the third, to the first half of the eighth century CE. The site continued to be active in the Early Islamic period. In the second and especially the third phase, extensive changes were introduced in both the church structure and its mosaic floors. In the third phase the church floor was almost completely repaved in mosaic, and its southern half was converted into a mosque.2 A ninth century CE

Christian inscription in Greek, discovered in one of the rooms next to the church, attests to the presence of Christians in the area in the Early Islamic period.3 Concerning the site identification, see: Avner 2004; 2006–07; Tabula: 101–102. See also Di Segni 2005a: 148, 164, 251. In the nineteenth century the reservoir near the Mar Elias monastery was called Bir Kadismu and was identified with the Katisma Church; see: Riess 1889; Charbel 1975. The Katisma Church was also mistakenly identified east of the site, in the area of Kibbutz Ramat Raḥel; see: Abel 1914: 460, no. 30; Schneider 1934; Testini 1962; Weippert 1964: 174–179. See also site no. 213 in this volume. 2 For the excavations, see: Avner 1993; 2003; 2005a; 2005b; Avner, Lavas and Rosidis 2001. See the survey, Kloner 2000: 144, no. [106]92. 3 Di Segni 2003. 1

213. Ramat Raḥel (Kh. Saliḥ; Kh. Ṣ âlih; Kh. Ṣ aliḥ; Ḥ. Ṣ āliḥ; Ḥ. abū brēk; Kh. Abu Bureik; Kh. Subkhah) Ref. IOG: 17050 12748 Ref. ITM: 22050 62748 Ref. UTM: 70980 51370 of the prayer hall. Fragments of the column bases are preserved only in the southwest. According to the excavator, the inner narthex was located between the prayer hall’s western wall and the western row of columns.2 The colorful mosaic church floor, partially preserved, was decorated with geometric patterns.3 The church apse, external and polygonal, was destroyed. Remains of a fourth century CE winepress, its floor paved in white mosaic, was discovered underneath the apse. Rooms were unearthed south of the church. The row of rooms close to the roofed passageway was part of the church complex.4 The church, dated to the fifth and sixth centuries CE, apparently continued to exist until the beginning of the Early Islamic period.

The site is located on a tell on the ancient road between Jerusalem and Bethlehem; it was excavated intermittently from the 1950s until recently. The excavations in the 1950s and 1960s uncovered an eighth century BCE royal citadel and structures from the Persian, Hellenistic, and Second Temple periods. Artifacts dating to the Early Islamic period were also found. Remains of a basilica church and a monastery were discovered on the northeastern slope of the tell.1 The church (22.3×15 m) was built of stones in secondary use. A broad entrance led from the narthex in the west, which has a mosaic floor, to the prayer hall. An additional entrance to the prayer hall from the south is through a roofed passageway, whose floor is of stone slabs. The prayer hall and aisles are divided by two rows of five columns. Between the two westernmost columns are two additional columns, these four comprising a row of columns in the west

For the church excavations, see: Aharoni 1955; 1956a; 1959; Testini 1962; 1964; Lipschits et al. 2009: 8–9. In later excavations, a stone chancel was discovered on the floor

1

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of a public building, located south of the citadel and partly excavated; see Lipschits et al. 2006a: 234. For additional excavations of the site, see: Aharoni 1956b; 1962; 1964; Lipschits et al. 2006b; Solimany and Barzel 2008. See the surveys: SWP III: 104 (Kh. Abu Bureik); Kloner 2000: 145, no. [106]95. See also: Leibovitch 1955: 24–25; Ovadiah 1970: 152–153, no. 152; Tabula: 212. Concerning the site

identification, see: Schneider 1934; Milik 1960: 571–572, no. 53; Aharoni 1962: 4; Weipper 1964: 174–179, no. 39; Wilkinson 1977: 163; Bagatti 2002b: 35–37. 2 Testini 1962: 79–80; 1964: 103. See also Ovadiah 1970: 152. 3 Ovadiah and Ovadiah 1987: 119, no. 204. 4 Testini 1964: 102–104.

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213.1. Ramat Raḥel, general plan of the church complex.

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213.2. Ramat Raḥel, the church complex.

213.3. Ramat Raḥel, southern entrance of the prayer hall, view from the southwest.

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214. Khirbet Umm Leisun Ref. IOG: 17324 12736 Ref. ITM: 22324 62736 Ref. UTM: 71255 51363 or chapel. Nonetheless, based on the mosaic floors, the site was defined as a monastery. The partially preserved rooms discovered include a large hall (14×7.6 m), east–west in orientation. The hall floor is paved in a colorful mosaic carpet of geometric design enclosed in a frame with a guilloche and a running wave pattern. The excavators are of the opinion that the hall is a chapel or one of the church aisles. North of the hall is a room paved in a colorful mosaic. Tiles and pottery vessels were found, mainly from the Byzantine and Early Islamic periods.2 Despite the sparse finds,

The site is located at the eastern edge of one of the tributaries of Naḥal Dragot in southern Jerusalem, close to the ancient road descending southeast from Ramat Talpiyot to the monasteries of Theodosius and Mar Saba, and the Dead Sea. The survey conducted at the site unearthed remains of: a church destroyed by later construction, dressed building stones, tile fragments, marble fragments, cisterns, caves, cupmarks, and a Byzantine rock-cut pressing installation.1 The salvage excavation conducted at the site in 1996 revealed no distinct structure of a basilica church

0

214.1. Kh. Umm Leisun, general plan of the structure remains.

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this was almost certainly a monastery. The excavators identify Kh. Umm Leisun with the monastery of Eustathius, which Y. Hirschfeld identified with Kh. Bureikut.3 Its establishment is dated to the first third of the sixth century CE.

See the survey, Kloner 2000: 147, no. [106]103. For the excavation, see Seligman and Abu Raya 2002. 3 Hirschfeld 1990: 46–47, no. 30. See also Kh. Bureikut (site no. 215), in this volume. 1 2

214.2. Kh. Umm Leisun, hall mosaic floor segments adorned with geometric motifs.

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215. Khirbet Bureikut Ref. IOG: 17390 12660 Ref. ITM: 22390 62660 Ref. UTM: 71322 51289 The site, a monastery, is located on a slope that descends to one of the tributaries of Naḥal Qidron, southeast of Jerusalem. West of the site is the ancient road between Jerusalem and the monastery of Theodosius. The wall that encompassed the compound, remains of walls, and the rolling stone used to close the monastery gate were surveyed. Close to the compound is a winepress with a mosaic floor. Y. Hirschfeld proposed identifying the site with the monastery of Eustathius (Vita Theognii 15).1 See the survey, Hirschfeld 1990: 46–47, no. 30; also Tabula: 92. See also the survey conducted in the southwest of the ruin, Kloner 2000: 151, no. [106]124.

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215. Kh. Bureikut, general plan of the complex.

216. Khirbet el-Harazan (Kh. el-Ḥareẓân) Ref. IOG: 17560 12671 Ref. ITM: 22560 62671 Ref. UTM: 71492 51303 monastery. In a later period, a sheikh’s tomb was built over the structure’s foundations.2

The site is located on a hill, ca. 6 km southeast of Jerusalem.1 Foundations of a structure, east–west in orientation, were surveyed. The courtyard south of the structure contains colorful tesserae and sherds from the Byzantine period. According to the surveyor, these finds probably indicate the presence of a Byzantine

Some link the site to biblical Ḥarod (Mazar 1974: 192) and to Mishnaic Beth Ḥarodo (Avi-Yonah 1976: 38; Reeg 1989: 106–107). See also Tabula: 140. 2 Hirschfeld 1987: 66, no. 78. 1

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217. Khirbet Abu-Ghunneim (Givʿat Ḥoma) Ref. IOG: 17100 12590 Ref. ITM: 22100 62590 Ref. UTM: 71034 51213 remained.2 The excavator identified the site with the monastery of Photinus, which was founded in the fifth century CE by Marinus, Euthymius’ disciple (Life of Euthymius 8, 16; Life of Sabas 29, 114; Life of Theodosius 2, 237).3

The site, a monastery, is located ca. 3 km northeast of Bethlehem, close to Kh. Umm Tuba, which is identified with the village of Metopa (Μετώπα).1 Excavations of the site in 1952–1951 uncovered a rectangular monastery surrounded by a wall (24.75×18.4 m), with a courtyard and cistern in its center. West of the courtyard are two rooms, one with a white mosaic floor. North of the courtyard is a church (16.7×5.1 m). Two entrances in the southern wall provided access to the church, which had an internal apse and a bema, separated by a chancel screen and ascended to via two steps. Of the church floor, segments of a mosaic containing a row of buds

See the surveys: Guérin 1868–69 III: 83–85 (Kh. OummThouba); Kloner 2000: 152, no. [106]130. See also: Thomsen 1907: 89; Abel 1933–38 II: 385–386; Milik 1960: 572, no. 54; Avi-Yonah 1976: 80; Bagatti 2002b: 40; Tabula: 184–185. 2 For the excavation, see Corbo 1954: 574; 1955: 141–145, Fig. 42; Tav. 43. See also: Ovadiah 1970: 105, no. 98; Ovadiah and Ovadiah 1987: 92, no. 150; Cohen 1993: 1067. 3 Wilkinson 1977: 149. See also Di Segni 2005a: 82, 164, 252.

1

217. Kh. Abu-Ghunneim, general plan of the monastery. 0

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218. Khirbet Luqa (Deir Louka; Kh. Bîâr Lûka; Biār lūḳ ā) Ref. IOG: 17224 12550 Ref. ITM: 22224 62550 Ref. UTM: 71158 51175 The site, a monastery, is located ca. 3.5 km northeast of Bethlehem, close to Kh. Umm Tuba, which is identified with the village of Metopa (Μετώπα).1 Cyril relates that Luke built a monastery at this location (Life of Euthymius 8, 16), thus giving the site its name to the present.2 The site was excavated in 1954; a monastery dated to the fifth and sixth centuries CE was uncovered. The monastery’s northern and western walls were preserved, its southern and eastern walls, destroyed. Part of a chancel screen with depictions of crosses was discovered.3 A colorful mosaic floor decorated with a geometric pattern and flower ornamentations

was unearthed inside the structure, and a white mosaic floor was found outside it.4 A mosque or weli was built over the church in a later phase.5 Concerning the site identification, see: Thomsen 1907: 89; Abel 1933–38 II: 385–386; Avi-Yonah 1976: 80; Bagatti 2002b: 40; Tabula: 184–185. 2 See also Di Segni 2005a: 82. 3 For the excavation, see Corbo 1955: 146–148, Tav. 49. See the surveys: Guérin 1868–69 III: 85; SWP III: 110; Kloner 2000: 152, no. [106]132. See also Ovadiah 1970: 122–123, no. 122. 4 Ovadiah and Ovadiah 1987: 97–98, no. 166. 5 Kloner 2000: 152, no. [106]132.

1

219. Bir el-Qutt (Kh. el-Qaṭṭ) Ref. IOG: 17085 12511 Ref. ITM: 22085 62511 Ref. UTM: 71020 51133 is a sort of corridor that leads to a large hall roofed by three arches on piers, which might have been the monastery refectory. The hall is paved in a colorful mosaic floor decorated with geometric patterns and containing a Georgian inscription in a tabula ansata that mentions three names. Southeast of the church is a subterranean rock-cut cave in which the monks buried their dead. The excavator dated the site to the sixth century CE.1

The site is located 2 km northeast of Bethlehem. Excavations conducted at the site in 1952–1953 unearthed a monastery complex (ca. 35×30 m). The compound entrance, on the east, opened onto a large central courtyard surrounded by colonnades, with a colorful mosaic floor adorned with geometric patterns and containing inscriptions. The latter attest to the monastery’s construction by Georgians and its dedication to Theodor. Large rooms surround the courtyard. At the northern end is a church (19×7.5 m) with a longitudinal hall and an inner apse. Entrance to the church is through two openings on the southwest. The church is paved in a mosaic, damaged almost in its entirety. South of the church is a large hall that also served as a burial chamber. Southwest of the church

For the excavation, see Corbo 1955: 112–139, Tavs. 32–42. For the inscriptions, see Ovadiah and Ovadiah 1987: 44–45, no. 54. See the survey, Kloner 2000: 151, no. [106]128. See also: Ovadiah 1970: 44–43, no. 27; Ovadiah and de Silva 1982: 129, no. 11; Cohen 1993: 1067–1068; Tabula: 90. 1

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0

10 m

219. Bir el-Qutt, general plan of the monastery.

220. Khirbet Umm el-ʿAṣ afir (Kh. Umm el-ʾAsâfîr; Kh. Umm el-ʾAṣ afir; Umm el-ʿAṣafir) Ref. IOG: 17125 12495 Ref. ITM: 22125 62495 Ref. UTM: 71061 51118 and of unknown length) of ashlar construction, with tesserae, pieces of plaster, and Byzantine sherds scattered above ground.1 V.C. Corbo was of

The site is located on the shoulder of a hill (Jebel ed-Dikk) in southern Jerusalem. Surveys of the site revealed remains of a church (13.8 m wide

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Byzantine period a Christian population settled at the site; the bathhouse fell into disuse and a structure of undetermined function was built over it. Additional rooms and an advanced winepress were discovered.3 This seems to be a monastery, despite the fact that no church came to light.

the opinion that this was a Byzantine monastery.2 The salvage excavation conducted in 2002 did not uncover a church here, but conceivably, one was destroyed or existed in an unexcavated part of the site. The site yielded finds and remnants from the seventh century BCE to the eighth century CE. Jewish settlement continued from the Iron Age until the Bar-Kokhba rebellion in 135 CE. Testimony to this being a Jewish site is provided by a Yehud stamp and a ritual bath discovered there. A Roman bathhouse was built at the site in the third century CE. In the

See the surveys: SWP III: 127; Corbo 1955: 47; Kloner 2000: 154, no. [106]143. 2 Corbo 1955: 47. 3 For the excavation, see: Batz 2003; Batz and Greenfeld 2009. 1

221. Khirbet Siyar el-Ghanam (Kh. es-Siyar; . Siyār el-Ganam) Ref. IOG: 17205 12448 Ref. ITM: 22205 62448 Ref. UTM: 71141 51073 The site, located 2 km east of Bethlehem, was first identified by C. Guarmani; it was excavated in 1951– 1952 and 1954. A rectangular compound (80×42 m) was unearthed, whose north and center are almost completely destroyed; it included courtyards, rooms (some with mosaic floors), cisterns, and winepresses. V.C. Corbo identified the site with the monastery of the Shepherds.1 Two building phases were identified in the monastery. Of the first phase, only the foundations of the church’s inner apse, located in the northeastern corner of the monastery, and a number of rooms in the monastery’s south, survived. This phase is dated to the late fourth to early fifth century CE. Extensive portions of the second phase monastery remain, and are dated to the sixth to eighth centuries CE. At that phase, the monastery was entered from the south by six steps that led to a courtyard paved in stone slabs. Of the church only the apse, which was built over the first phase apse, survived. The apse, external and

221.1. Kh. Siyar el-Ghanam, piers in the structure in the northeast of the monastery, view from the south.

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polygonal, is built of ashlars with bosses, in secondary use. The churches from both phases probably consisted of a long narrow prayer hall that terminated in an apse. An altar table fragment and capitals and columns bearing cross decorations were found scattered over the site. The winepresses discovered in the monastery’s western wing are dated to the second phase.2 This wing also contained a room paved with a colorful mosaic floor decorated with crosses and flowers and containing two Greek inscriptions.3

For the excavation, see: Corbo 1953; 1954: 570–571; 1955; 1987. See the survey, Guérin 1868–69 I: 214–223. See also: Milik 1960: 574–575, no. 59; Schiller 1980a; Tabula: 252– 253. Some identify the site with the monastery of Marcian, see: Vailhé 1900: 25–26; Hirschfeld 1990: 61, no. 54; Di Segni 2005a: 57, note 39. On the identification of the Shepherds’ Church in Beit Sahur, see site no. 223 in this volume. 2 Corbo 1955: 11–56, Tav. 15–19; 1987. See also: Ovadiah 1970: 124–125, no. 126 a/b; Cohen 1993: 1069–1070; Bagatti 2002b: 47–48, Fig. 6:2–8, Pl. 7:2. 3 Corbo 1954: 571; Ovadiah and Ovadiah 1987: 99–100, no. 169. 1

0

First Phase Second Phase 221.2. Kh. Siyar el-Ghanam, construction phases of the monastery.

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222. Church of the Nativity Ref. IOG: 16963 12357 Ref. ITM: 21963 62357 Ref. UTM: 70901 50977 The city of Bethlehem is located 9 km south of Jerusalem. Bethlehem (Βηθλεεμ) was quite prominent in the Byzantine period and attracted pilgrims; Hieronymus took up residence there.1 The Church of the Nativity, one of the three early churches in the Holy Land, was built in the city. Excavations conducted in the church revealed two basilica churches, built one above the other. The early church was built by Constantine and his mother Helena in the fourth century CE, above the cave that is the traditional birthplace of Jesus (Matt. 2:1). The church was destroyed in the early sixth century CE, during the Samaritan rebellions, and was rebuilt by Justinian.2 It appears in the Madaba Map.3 The church has been a focal point of research for centuries. Sounding excavations were conducted in 1933 and 1935.4 The early church had two parts: a basilica structure, and east of it, an octagonal memorial structure built over the cave. A stone slab floor from this period was uncovered west of the atrium. The atrium (27×27 m) was surrounded by colonnades. Its mosaic floor, stylobate, and stone steps were found in the area that currently functions as the church narthex. Three entrances, each with three steps, led from the atrium to the church prayer hall, which was a square basilica (27.7×26.8 m). The prayer hall was divided into a nave and flanking double aisles by four rows of nine columns. The nave floor had two mosaic carpets enclosed in a frame. The western carpet was decorated with medallions, inside each of which was a floral design. The eastern carpet was divided into six panels decorated with geometric patterns. There is a Greek inscription at the eastern end of the nave. A few mosaic segments, some white, remain in the aisles. Diamond pattern decorations are preserved in the southern aisle, next to the nave. Besides their belonging to the early phase, there is no consensus regarding the dating of the mosaics. Three staircases led from the church hall to an octagonal structure (each side, 7.9 m). The structure was flanked by two rooms, the northern of which contained a white mosaic floor

222.1. Church of the Nativity, prayer hall mosaic floor from the early church.

with cross decorations in its center. At the center of the structure is an octagonal platform surrounded by a low step that marked the cave entrance. A colorful mosaic floor decorated with geometric patterns that incorporated floral motifs and birds was revealed. There is no consensus among scholars whether there were one or two entrances to the cave. Excavations revealed only one narrow entrance with a staircase. The cave is rectangular, and three steps descend to an internal chapel.5 In the sixth century the church was rebuilt, and a number of changes were made. The stone slab floor that led to the atrium of the early church was

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covered. The atrium was expanded westward, and the eastern porch became a narthex, from which three entrances led to the newly lengthened church prayer hall (33×27.7 m). Like the early church prayer hall, it was divided into a nave and flanking double aisles by four rows of 11 columns, some in secondary use from the early church. The octagonal structure was replaced by one of trefoil shape, with three apses and a transept, the center of which was built over the cave. In this phase, two staircases, from the north and

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222.2. Church of the Nativity, general plan of the early church.

10 m

222.3. Church of the Nativity, general plan of the late church.

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south, descended to the cave. An altar was erected in the eastern apse. The church was paved with marble slabs, and the church walls were decorated with wall paintings and mosaics.6 Remains of a chapel with a mosaic floor that is dated to the seventh century CE were discovered some 100 m north of the Church of the Nativity. The chapel’s northern wall did not survive, and its eastern wall is partially preserved. The mosaic is decorated in flower buds, and a medallion in its center contains a partially preserved 13-line Greek inscription. Close to the chapel on the west is a room with Byzantine oil lamps. Southwest of the chapel is an arcosolium tomb, also dated to the Byzantine period.7 Bethlehem and the Church of the Nativity are mentioned in the Christian sources of nascent Christianity and throughout the Byzantine period. See: Itinerarium Burdigalense 598, 6–7; De Locis Sanctis L1; Ep. 108, 10; On. 42:10; 82:10; Life of Euthymius 30, 49; 45, 66; Life of John 17, 214–215;

1

Antonini Placentini Itinerarium 29. See also: Limor 1998: 37, 121, 144–145, 154, 236–237; Di Segni 2005a: 110, 127, 231. See also: Thomsen 1907: 39–40; Abel 1933–38 II: 194, 276–277; Milik 1960: 572–573, no. 56; Avi-Yonah 1976: 39; Wilkinson 1977: 151–152; Reeg 1989: 111–112; Bagatti 2002b: 40–46; Tabula: 83. 2 We doubt that the Samaritan rebellions reached Bethlehem and that the town suffered resulting harm at the hands of the Samaritans. 3 Avi-Yonah 1954: 65–66, no. 78. 4 For the excavation, see: Hamilton 1934; Harvey 1935. See the surveys: Guérin 1868–69 I: 120–206; SWP III: 83–85. See also: Vincent and Abel 1914; Richmond 1936; 1938a; 1938b; Vincent 1936b; Schneider 1941; Bagatti 1965; Schiller 1980b. 5 Hamilton 1934; Richmond 1936; 1938a; Ovadiah 1970: 33–35, no. 22a; Ovadiah and de Silva 1982: 128, no. 9a; Ovadiah and Ovadiah 1987: 21–23, no. 19. 6 Hamilton 1934; Richmond 1938b. See also: Ovadiah 1970: 35–37, no. 22b; Ovadiah and de Silva 1982: 128, no. 9b. 7 Saller 1972; Ovadiah and de Silva 1981: 208–209, no. 8; Ovadiah and Ovadiah 1987: 23, no. 20.

222.4. Church of the Nativity, nave mosaic floor of the early church under the floor of the present-day church.

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223. Beit Sahur—Shepherds’ Field Ref. IOG: 17158 12329 Ref. ITM: 22158 62329 Ref. UTM: 71097 50953 The Shepherds’ Field church (in Arabic: Kenisat erRawʿat) is located in a valley in the village of Beit Sahur, 1 km east of Bethlehem. According to Christian tradition, this is where the angel of the Lord brought the news of the birth of Jesus (Luke 2:8–14).1 The

223.2. Beit Sahur—Shepherds’ Field, chapel mosaic floor.

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Fifth Century CE Sixth Century CE 223.1. Beit Sahur—Shepherds’ Field, construction phases of the early churches.

church’s existence is attested by Christian pilgrims, beginning in the late fourth century CE (De Locis Sanctis L1).2 Christian tradition (Hieronymus, On. 43:22–23) connected Shepherds’ Field with biblical Migdal-eder (Gen. 35:21).3 In consequence of these traditions, the location became a pilgrimage site. In 1972, an excavation conducted at the site uncovered a number of churches built one over the other.4 The earliest remains discovered is a natural cave that was used from the fourth century CE as a Christian ritual site, following the passage in Luke. A colorful mosaic floor decorated with geometric patterns and crosses, preserved almost in its entirety,

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223.3. Beit Sahur—Shepherds’ Field, general plan of the late church.

was laid on the cave floor. This floor is dated to the second half of the fourth century CE. In the fifth century CE the cave was expanded, and a church was established inside it. The church (15×11 m) was almost entirely preserved; it has a prayer hall with a narrow narthex in the west. A staircase led to it from

the south. Two rooms adjoined the hall to the north; the eastern one functioned as a burial chamber; the western one, as a cistern, in the seventh century CE. The church windows are preserved in the northern, southern, and western walls, and were blocked in a later phase. Several segments of the prayer hall mosaic

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floor remain. A chapel was apparently built above the church. Only the colorful mosaic floor was preserved in its entirety. It is decorated with trailing grapevines and an amphora, and contains two Greek inscriptions that mention the donors’ names. This chapel was removed in the sixth century CE, replaced by a basilica church (30×15 m), which included an atrium and a narthex. The basilica wall foundations, apse, and marble columns remain. This church was built, in part, of stones in secondary use, and was paved in a colorful mosaic floor decorated with geometric patterns and grapevines. The ash marks visible on the church floor attest to its destruction, most likely during the Persian conquest. In the seventh century CE a new church was erected, its plan almost identical to that of its destroyed predecessor. Rooms were built around the church, and the site became a monastery. A mosaic inscription in Greek discovered in the area outside the church is dated to this phase. The church

and monastery were abandoned in the late tenth or early eleventh century CE.5 Russian abbot Daniel, who visited the Holy Land in 1106–1107, related that the site was destroyed.6 Concerning the site identification, see: Guérin 1868–69 I: 214–223; Milik 1960: 574, no. 59; Wilkinson 1977: 170; Schiller 1980a; Bagatti 2002b: 46–49; Tabula: 252–253. Corbo (1954: 570–571) proposed identifying the site with a place called Kh. Siyar el-Ghanam, 2 km east of Bethlehem (see site no. 221). This identification is less accepted. 2 Tzaferis 1975: 46, note 39. 3 See Limor 1998: 121, 146. See also: Abel 1933–38 II: 309–310; Reeg 1989: 393. 4 For the excavations, see: ḤA 1972; Tzaferis 1973; 1975; 1993. See the surveys: Guérin 1868–69 I: 212–213; SWP III: 103–104 (Kenîset er Rảwât). See also: Ovadiah and de Silva 1982: 144–147, no. 30 a/d; Ovadiah and Ovadiah 1987: 24–25, nos. 22–25. 5 Tzaferis 1975: 1–24, Pls. 1–8, 10. 6 Raba 1986: 50.

1

223.4. Beit Sahur—Shepherds’ Field, late church, view from the south.

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223.5. Beit Sahur—Shepherds’ Field, view from the southwest.

224. Deir Dosi—Monastery of Theodosius (Deir Dôsi; Dēr dōsī; Deir ed-Dosé; Deir Ibn ʿUbeid) Ref. IOG: 17590 12551 Ref. ITM: 22590 62551 Ref. UTM: 71524 51184 Theodosius was archimandrite of all the coenobia in the Judean Desert. He began his life in the Holy Land in the Kathisma Church, but fled to the desert when he was to be appointed superior of the church (Life of Theodosius 1, 236–237; 4, 239). His monastery was established around a cave in which he lived in seclusion, 6 Roman miles from Jerusalem, as is mentioned by Cyril (Life of Theodosius 2, 237).1 Scholars presume that Theodosius began establishment the monastery in ca. 479 CE.2 Its identification with the Deir Dosi monastery, located on the road between Bethlehem and the Dead Sea, is accepted by scholarly research.3 A detailed description of the remains was made by C. Schick, an architect who visited the site in 1877,

20 years before reconstruction of the monastery began. He described a church surrounded by dwelling cells and various storerooms. An open area with a stone floor extended to the east. The monastery gate was set in the eastern wall, and not, as in the present monastery, in the southern wall. The main complex was enclosed by a wall. To the south is an additional complex, built around a central courtyard.4 In 1896 the site was visited by J. Germer-Durand, who succeeded in determining the location of three churches: a central church and two small ones. A crypt was identified under the central church.5 Cisterns also came to light. The present-day monastery is built over the remnants of the Byzantine one.

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See also Di Segni 2005a: 251–252, 254. Chitty 1966: 212; Hirschfeld 1992: 15; Di Segni 2005a: 25. Vailhé gives an earlier dating for the establishment of the monastery, 460–470 CE; see Vailhé 1900: 75–78, no. 131. 3 Concerning the site identification, see: Hirschfeld 1990: 26–28, no. 14; Tabula: 110. 4 Schick 1899: 36–37; Marti (1880: 36–37) notes Schick’s description. See the surveys: Guérin 1868–69 III: 88–92; Marti 1880: 34–37; Weigand 1914–19; Hirschfeld 1988–89a: 101–102. See also Ovadiah 1970: 46–47, no. 32. 5 For Gérmer-Durand’s description, see Hirschfeld 1990: 28. See also SRF 45 (Deir Ibn ʿUbeid). 1 2

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224.1. Deir Dosi—monastery of Theodosius, general plan of the central church.

224.3. Deir Dosi—monastery of Theodosius, architectural elements, some adorned with a cross.

224.2. Deir Dosi—monastery of Theodosius, Greek inscription in the mosaic floor.

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225. Khirbet Jinjas—Heptastomos (Kh. Djindjes; Kh. Djindjis) Ref. IOG: 17970 12680 Ref. ITM: 22970 62680 Ref. UTM: 71902 51320 The monastery, of the laura type, is located in the plain north of Naḥal Qidron, ca. 4 km northwest of the monastery of Mar Saba .1 It lies at an important crossroads on the ancient route from Jerusalem to the complex of monasteries around Mar Saba, and was established ca. 510 CE. Cyril states that the monastery was established by Sabas, who built a small prayer house and cells north of the Heptastomos cistern (Life of Sabas 39, 129–130).2 The site was first surveyed by V. Guérin, who described a large site that contained 20 houses and eight cisterns.3 Later surveyors identified the site as a monastery. The monastery was enclosed by a stone fence, and at its center are remains of a church, whose central and northern apses survived. In addition, service rooms were found that surrounded two inner courtyards. A total of 15 monastic cells are scattered around the laura nucleus. One of the cells, larger than the others, is encompassed by a low wall. Two large cisterns existed north and south of the church, with additional cisterns found in the compound vicinity.4 See the surveys: Guérin 1868–69 III: 101; Corbo 1958a; Hirschfeld 1983: 59. 2 See also Di Segni 2005a: 175–176. Concerning the site identification, see: Delau 1899–1900: 269–270; Vailhè 1900: 28, no. 54; Hirschfeld 1992: 29–30; Patrich 1995: 110–113; Tabula: 142. See also Riess 1892: 228–231. 3 Guérin 1868–69 III: 101. 4 Corbo 1958a; Hirschfeld 1983: 59. See also Hirschfeld 1990: 40–41, no. 25.

1

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225. Kh. Jinjas—Heptastomos, general plan of the laura m nucleus.

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226. Khirbet el-Munṭar—Monastery of Scholarius (el-Muntār; Ch. el-munṭār; Djebel Mountar; el-Mŭntâr; Kh. el-Muntar) Ref. IOG: 18275 12695 Ref. ITM: 23275 62695 Ref. UTM: 72206 51342 The site is located on the summit of Jebel Munṭar in the Judean Desert. The remains discovered at Kh. el-Munṭar were identified with the coenobium of Scholarius, named after John, one of Sabas’ disciples, who attained the rank of bodyguard (Scholarius) at the emperor’s court. The monastery was established by Sabas in 539 CE at one of the highest points in the Judean Desert, ca. 5.5 km south of the laura of Euthymius, where Eudocia built a tower in Euthymius’ honor (Life of Euthymius 30, 48; Life of Sabas 38).1 Surveys conducted at the site revealed a walled monastery (58×44 m). The southern wing, residential in nature, was walled off from the rest of the monastery. The structure’s thick walls apparently teach of the existence of a second story. The western wing contained storerooms and various service structures. A reservoir with a vaulted roof was discovered beneath the courtyard, north of the dwelling wing; and an additional reservoir was discovered under the presumed location of the church. North of the monastery is a long structure, with a nearby cistern to the west; this might have been a hospice. Marble column fragments and many tesserae were found there. The monastery and church were probably destroyed intentionally.2 On the western hill slope are the remains of an open reservoir that probably served the monastery inhabitants.3 At the top of the southern peak is a square structure (5×5 m), thought to be the tower built by Eudocia.4 See also Di Segni 2005a: 109, 174–175. Concerning the site identification, see: Furrer 1880: 235; Van Kasteren 1890: 113; Vailhé 1900: 34–35, no. 63; Hirschfeld 1990: 39–40, no. 24; Patrich 1995: 153–158; Tabula: 189. 2 See the surveys: Van Kastern 1890: 112–113; Patrich 1983: 66; 1994: 53–54, no. 43. See also: Palmer 1881: 348; Avi-Yonah 1933: 161, no. 93. 3 Patrich 1994: 47, no. 27. 4 Patrich 1994: 55, no. 44.

1

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226. Kh. el-Munṭar—monastery of Scholarius, general plan of the site.

Corpus of Christian sites

227. Khirbet ez-Zaraniq—Monastery of Jeremias (Kh. Zaraniq; Kh. es-Zerânîk; Wàr ez-Zerânîk; Waʿr ez-zarānīk; Kh. Wadi ez-Zaraniq; Wâdi ez-Zarānîq) Ref. IOG: 18442 12790 Ref. ITM: 23442 62790 Ref. UTM: 72371 51440 Jeremias was a disciple of Sabas. Cyril mentioned that Jeremias went to live in a place some 5 stadia north of the monastery of the Cave. Sabas came there, and together with additional disciples, established a monastery (Life of Sabas 74, 179), most likely in 531 CE.1 The monastery is identified with Kh. ezZaraniq, 2 km north of the monastery of the Cave, and not 0.9 km (5 stadia), as stated by Cyril.2 Many surveys were conducted at the site, as well as trial excavations conducted in 1957. In 1984 excavations and a comprehensive survey were conducted.3 The monastery, of the laura type, extends over the northern and southern banks of Wadi ez-Zaraniq, with the nucleus of the laura on the northern bank. The remains of a path, mainly on the northern bank, were discovered that connect about 12 hermit cells, clustered in three groups. Some of the cells are built around a courtyard; and some display evidence of a second story that was not preserved, e.g., stairs

0

and tesserae found in the collapsed rubble.4 Trial excavations conducted in 1957 in the center of the laura uncovered remains of a structure that apparently contained a chapel. Collapsed rubble in one of the rooms yielded segments of a colorful mosaic floor with geometric patterns, and a fragment of a marble column, probably an altar leg. Plastered cisterns were also discovered. According to W.R. Farmer, the monastery was settled until the seventh century CE.5 See also Di Segni 2005a: 207–208. Concerning the site identification, see: Vailhé 1900: 35, no. 64; Hirschfeld 1990: 47–49, no. 31; Patrich 1995: 113–114; Tabula: 261; Di Segni 2005a: 208, note 313. 3 For the excavations, see: Farmer 1957; Patrich 1990. See the surveys: Marti 1880: 17–19; Palmer 1881: 357; SWP III: 213; Corbo 1958b; Patrich 1983: 66; 1994: 47–49, nos. 28–29. 4 Patrich 1994: 48–49, no. 29; 1995: 113–115. 5 Farmer 1957. 1

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227. Kh. ez-Zaraniq—monastery of Jeremias, general plan of hermit cells at the site.

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228. Khirbet el-Makhrum—Monastery of Theognius (Kh. el Makhrȗm; Kh. el Maḫrum; Kh. Makhrum) Ref. IOG: 17550 12330 Ref. ITM: 22550 62330 Ref. UTM: 71489 50962 Theognius was a disciple of Theodosius. Cyril tells the story of the monastery’s establishment, and relates that initially, Theognius joined the monastery of Theodosius, where he remained for a lengthy period. He subsequently found a cave near the monastery and dwelled there. Over the course of time a coenobium was built around this cave (Life of Theognius 3–4, 242).1 V.C. Corbo proposed identifying the monastery of Theognius with Kh. el-Makhrum, which he had

excavated in 1954, and which was located at the edge of a hilltop, 2.5 km southwest of the monastery of Theodosius.2 Excavations revealed two wings; the southeastern wing contained dwelling cells and the northwestern wing had a courtyard with a stone floor, west of which probably stood the monastery church, which was not excavated. The south of the monastery is a long and narrow two-story complex that apparently had been the monastery refectory and kitchen.3 In one of the monastery rooms, a white mosaic was found with a Greek inscription set in concentric circles.4 See also Di Segni 2005a: 257–258. Concerning the site identification, see: Corbo 1955: 154–155; Hirschfeld 1990: 32–33, no. 17; Tabula: 176. J. Noret disagreed with Corbo’s identification; see Noret 1971: 132, note 1. See also Vailhé 1900: 78–79, no. 132. 3 For the excavations, see: Corbo 1954: 572; 1955: 151–155, 163–164, Tav. 42–43. See the survey, SWP III: 120. See also: Palmer 1881: 308; Cohen 1993: 1069. 4 Corbo 1954: 572; 1955: 152–153, Tav. 45, no. 143; Ovadiah and Ovadiah 1987: 94, no. 157. 1

2

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228.1. Kh. el-Makhrum—monastery of Theognius, general plan of the site.

228.2. Kh. el-Makhrum—monastery of Theognius, view from the south.

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229. Khirbet Juhzum (Kh. Juḥzum; Kh. Juhzûm; Kh. Giohdhom) Ref. IOG: 17600 12358 Ref. ITM: 22600 62358 Ref. UTM: 71538 50991 The site is located on a spur that descends eastward, ca. 2 km south of the monastery of Theodosius. Excavations conducted at the site in 1954 revealed several structures, mosaic floors, and Corinthian capitals decorated with faunal depictions.1 V.C. Corbo, who excavated the site, proposed identifying it with the coenobium of Marcian mentioned by Cyril (Life of Euthymius 30, 49; 45, 66; Life of Theodosius 2, 237).2 Other identifications have been put forth for the monastery of Marcian.3 Corbo 1955: 156–163, Tav. 46–48. See also: Cohen 1993: 1069; Ovadiah and Ovadiah 1987: 95–96, no. 161. 2 See also Di Segni 2005a: 110, 127, 252–253. 3 Vailhé suggested identifying the monastery of Marcian with Siyar el-Ghanam; see Vailhé 1900: 25–26. His proposal was accepted by Hirschfeld (1990: 60–61, no. 54). See Di Segni 2005a: 57, note 39. See also Siyar el-Ghanam (site no. 221) in this volume. 1

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229. Kh. Juhzum, general plan of the site. 0

230. El-Burj Ref. IOG: 17940 12501 Ref. ITM: 22940 62501 Ref. UTM: 71875 51141 The site is located on a hill ca. 3 km northwest of the monastery of Mar Saba. It is a squarish structure (29.7×28.4 m) surrounded by a wall; there is a church in its north, a dwelling area, in its south. Marble fragments and tesserae were discovered, as well.1 Y. Hirschfeld, who surveyed the site, identifies it with the monastery of Zannus, which according to Cyril was built by two monks, the brothers Zannus and Benjamin. The two brothers asked Sabas to give them the hermitage that he had established for himself some 15 stadia southwest of his laura. Sabas agreed to their request, and helped them establish a coenobium there

(Life of Sabas 42).2 There is no accepted identification for this monastery.3 In our opinion, the plan and finds published are not necessarily indicative of a monastery having stood at the site. See the survey, Hirschfeld 1983: 58. Concerning the site identification, see: Hirschfeld 1990: 41–43, no. 26; Patrich 1995: 158, 160; Tabula: 93; Di Segni 2005a: 177, note 173. 3 Corbo suggested that the monastery of Zannus was located on the east bank of Naḥal Qidron, ca. 0.5 km southwest of the monastery of Mar Saba; see Corbo 1958c: 109–110. 1 2

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6

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230. El-Burj, general plan of the site.

231. Deir Mar Saba (Mâr Sâba; Deir Mâr Saba; Laura Sabae) Ref. IOG: 18150 12358 Ref. ITM: 23150 62358 Ref. UTM: 72088 51002 The Great Laura is named after Sabas (439–532 CE), the monastery head who was one of Euthymius’ disciples and who would eventually become the most important monk in the Judean Desert (Life of Sabas 7, 91).1 The laura is located in the Judean Desert, on the cliffs of Naḥal Qidron, southeast of Jerusalem and 12 km east of Bethlehem, where the road from Jerusalem through the Hyrcania Valley crosses Naḥal Qidron; it commands the middle of this route. It was established in 483 CE, around the cave where Sabas had lived, five years previously (Life of Sabas 15–16).2 The monastery has almost continuously been in existence to the present; the present-day monastery of Mar Saba covers an area of some 100×60 m, and many of its structures were built or renovated in the modern period.

The monastery has been the subject of study by numerous scholars, many of whom visited the site and examined its history.3 The latest survey and research was conducted in 1982–1983.4 The monastery was the center of a large laura, consisting of caves and monastic cells spread over the cliffs for ca. 2 km, north and south of the monastery itself. The latest survey documented some 45 dwelling complexes of anchorite monks scattered along the cliffs, and 5 on the surrounding hills. These complexes contained cisterns, hermit cells, caves, chapels, and various structures, most of which were destroyed over the course of time. The complexes are interconnected by a system of paths that link them with the central monastery. The

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latter underwent many changes during the course of its history, and several of its elements were built in a late period. The structure contains two chapels, a refectory, dwelling cells, and burial chambers. In addition to the plentiful cisterns, two aqueducts brought runoff water from the slopes to the laura cells and monastery.5 The sources relate that Sabas himself is buried in the monastery (Life of Sabas 77, 184).6 Vailhé 1898–99a; 1898–99b; 1899–1900; 1900: 62–65, no. 106; Hirschfeld 1992: 246–247; Patrich 1995. See also

1

Di Segni 2005a: 21–23, 140–222. 2 See also Di Segni 2005a: 149–152. 3 See the surveys: Tobler 1854: 837–855; Guérin 1868–69 III: 92–101; SWP III: 219–220; Marcoff and Chitty 1929: 176–177; Corbo 1958c; Meinardus 1965–66: 342–348 (St. Sophia); Patrich 1983; 1994: 105–175, no. 98. See also: Mann 1969; Bagatti 1973b; Wilkinson 1977: 169; Tabula: 182–183; Patrich 1995. 4 Patrich 1988; 1994: 105–175, no. 98. 5 Patrich 1995: 57–107. See also: SRF 46; Ovadiah and de Silva 1981: 240–242, nos. 53–55; Hirschfeld 1990: 31–32, no. 16; 1992: 24–26. 6 See also Di Segni 2005a: 210.

231.1. Deir Mar Saba, general plan of the chapels in the central monastery structure.

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231.2. Deir Mar Saba, view from the north.

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231.3. Deir Mar Saba, view from the northeast.

232. Ras el-Baquq—The Small Coenobium (Wadi el-Baquq; Wadi el-Baqquq) Ref. IOG: 18210 12500 Ref. ITM: 23210 62500 Ref. UTM: 72145 51145 The Small Coenobium was founded by Sabas in 493 CE, northeast of his Great Laura (Deir Mar Saba; Life of Sabas 28, 113; Life of John 6, 206).1 The monastery was first identified by V.C. Corbo on a hill ca. 2 km northeast of the Great Laura in Naḥal Qidron.2 Surveys conducted at the site revealed structures and cisterns encompassed by a wall, except on the south, where there is a steep slope. The massive eastern structure (11×10 m) is supported by retaining walls. West of it is a small structure (7×5 m). The

westernmost structure (15×10 m) is divided into three chambers. The northern slope yielded remains of structures and agricultural terraces.3 Vailhé 1900: 51, no. 88. See also Di Segni 2005a: 163, 226. 2 Concerning the site identification, see: Corbo 1958c: 107–108; Hirschfeld 1992: 26; Tabula: 213. 3 See the surveys: Marcoff and Chitty 1929: 176–177; Patrich 1994: 93–94, no. 85. See also: Patrich 1995: 145– 146, Fig. 64; Hirschfeld 1990: 34–35, no. 19. 1

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0

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232. Ras el-Baquq—“the Small Coenobium”, general plan of the site.

233. Bir el-Qaṭṭar—Monastery of the Cave (Bir el-Qaṭṭâr; Bīr el-Qaṭṭār; Kettār; Khatter; el-ḳ aṭār; Bîr el-Katâr) Ref. IOG: 18420 12580 Ref. ITM: 23420 62580 Ref. UTM: 72354 51229 The monastery is located on the cliffs of Naḥal Sekhakha (Wadi Abu Shuʿla) in the Judean Desert, ca. 3 km west of the monastery of Castellion. It is identified with the monastery of the Cave (τὸτοῦ Σπηλαίου κοινόβιον), described by Cyril as a coenobium founded by Sabas and his disciples (Life of Sabas 37, 126; Life of John 9, 208) in 508 CE.1 Surveys conducted at the site revealed a monastery built on the cliff in three levels, and nearby, aqueducts, reservoirs, quarries, a lime kiln, and rock-cut steps, all connected to the monastery. The monastery was encompassed by walls on the north, east, and west; to the south it was bounded by the cliffs and retaining walls. Remains of a tower built over a cistern were found at the southwestern end of the wall, in the middle level, and an additional tower was probably built at the monastery’s northeastern corner.2 The upper level contains the north of the monastery wall, remnants of a structure paved in mosaic, and

a cistern.3 Water seeping from this cistern dripped onto the side of the wall of the middle level cave; this is the source of the site name in Arabic: Bir elQaṭṭar (“the well of drops”).4 In the middle level are the monastery’s main structures, cisterns, and three dwelling caves, two situated between the upper and middle levels. One of these is the “Cave of Sabas,” which functioned as a chapel. At the cave entrance is a built railing; stairs were cut at the cave’s bottom, and its sides were coated with plaster. The cave contains the foundation of an altar, a remnant of a molded Corinthian capital, crosses painted in red, and inscriptions on the walls. A church was built below the chapel in a later phase. From the meager church remains, it appears to have been a longitudinal structure (ca. 12×6 m). The floor was of white mosaic decorated with geometric designs of black tesserae. The church yielded marble fragments of an altar colonnette and of a round tablet used as the

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233.1. Bir el-Qaṭṭar—monastery of the Cave, general plan of the site.

233.2. Bir el-Qaṭṭar—monastery of the Cave, view from the northeast.

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altar table.5 On the east of the roof was a porch with a decorated mosaic floor. This level also contained a large structure (14×14 m) with a kitchen, bakery, refectory, and storerooms. The entrance gate was in the lower level, along with additional structures used by the monks; there was a garden in the streambed. The monastery apparently continued to exist in the Early Islamic period.6 Concerning the site identification, see: Furrer 1880: 235; Vailhé 1900: 72–73, no. 123; Tabula: 90; Patrich 1995: 1

146–153. See also: Corbo 1958d: 250; Di Segni 2005a: 173, 227. 2 See the surveys: Marti 1880: 24; Van Kasteren 1890: 110–112; Pierri 1947: 12–14; Patrich 1983: 66; 1994: 65–70, no. 63. See also: SRF 38; Patrich 1991; Hirschfeld 1990: 38–39, no. 23. 3 The survey conducted by Patrich did not reveal the mosaic floor seen by Van Kasteren (1890: 110–112). 4 Palmer 1881: 341. He mentions that the water came from an aqueduct. See also: Patrich 1991: 441. 5 Patrich 1991: 445, Fig. 11. 6 Patrich 1991: 432.

234. El-Mird—Monastery of Castellion (Kh. el-Merd; Kh. Mird) Ref. IOG: 18480 12527 Ref. ITM: 23480 62527 Ref. UTM: 72415 51178 The monastery was established in the Hasmonean fortress of Hyrcania (Ύρχανία; War 1:161; Ant. 13: 417), which is identified with the remains at El-Mird.1

The site is located on a hilltop. Two ancient roads pass at the foot of El-Mird. One road crosses the Hyrcania Valley and intersects the route that crosses the Judean

234.1. El-Mird—monastery of Castellion, remains of the chapel, view from the west.

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Herodian Byzantine 234.2. El-Mird—monastery of Castellion, general plan of the monastery remains.

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Desert, passing Naḥal Qidron via the monastery of Mar Saba to Bethlehem. The other road comes from Jerusalem and descends from Hyrcania to Qumran. The annals of the establishment of the monastery are related at length by Cyril (Life of Sabas 27, 110– 112).2 The monastery was founded in 492 CE as a coenobium. The site was surveyed by many scholars,3 and the excavations conducted there confirm its identification with the monastery of Castellion. A chapel, a longitudinal hall (possibly a refectory), and finds such as a baptismal font, a gabled lid, and a reliquary were uncovered.4 El-Mird or Castellion (meaning fortress) was established during the Hasmonean period, apparently by Alexander

1

Jannaeus, and was named after his father, John Hyrcanus I; see Tsafrir 1982. Concerning the identification of the site with the monastery of Castellion, see: Furrer 1880: 235; Vailhé 1900: 11–12, no. 19; Avi-Yonah 1976: 66; Tabula: 149. 2 See also Di Segni 2005a: 160–162. 3 See the surveys: Marti 1880: 19–24; SWP III: 184, 212; Mader 1929; Patrich 1994: 76–82, no. 70. See also: Palmer 1881: 346; Pierri 1947: 14–15; Bagatti 1954. 4 At the beginning of the twentieth century, the site was excavated by monks. Mader published the findings; see: Mader 1928; 1937. Burial caves on the western slope were excavated by Schick and published by Van Kasteren (1890: 108–109). Additional graves were excavated by Wright; see Wright 1961. See also: Mader 1929: 126, Fig. 6; Milik 1961; Ovadiah 1970: 111–112, no. 109; Ovadiah and de Silva 1982: 149, no. 34; Hirschfeld 1990: 33–35, no. 18; 1992: 52.

235. Ḥorvat Sokho Ref. IOG: 14760 12280 Ref. ITM: 19760 62280 Ref. UTM: 68700 50855 A structure located at the foot of the northern slope of Ḥ. Sokho (Tel Socoh) was excavated in 1980. The structure, partly preserved, rests on the bedrock and contains two halls paved in a colorful mosaic. A cistern is located east of the structure. The northern hall, whose northern and western walls were totally destroyed, is longitudinal. Its floor is paved in white mosaic (13×2.5 m) enclosed in a black frame and decorated in a scale pattern. The mosaic also contains two Greek inscriptions, one in a tabula ansata, the other, in a frame. The first mentions the deacon Anastasis, a monk, and two nuns, thus attesting to the existence of a monastery at the site. The second inscription is a burial inscription of John the priest. The southern hall (6.4×5 m) is paved with a colorful mosaic decorated with medallions of vine scrolls issuing from an amphora. The medallions contained faunal depictions and baskets of grapes. The former bear signs of iconoclasm. The northern hall was probably a sort of chapel, part of a monastery that

according to the excavator was built in the fifth century CE and abandoned in the eighth century, after 722 CE, when the iconoclastic edict was issued.1 1

For the excavation, see: Gudovitch 1996; Tzaferis 1996.

235.1. Ḥ. Sokho, Greek inscription in a tabula ansata in the northern hall.

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235.2. Ḥ. Sokho, general plan of the monastery remains.

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236. Beit Nattif (Bēt nattīf; Beit Nettîf; Beit Nattīf; Beit Nettif; Bet Naṭif; Beit Naṭṭif; Bayt Nattif) Ref. IOG: 14980 12278 Ref. ITM: 19980 62278 Ref. UTM: 68920 50858 The site is located in the north of the Ellah Valley, on the ancient road between Beth Guvrin-Eleutheropolis and Jerusalem, and is identified with the Roman settlement of Betholetepha (Βεθλετηφω�ν), capital of a toparchy in Judea (War 4:445; Pliny, NH V, 70).1 It was probably populated by Christians in the Byzantine period. The site was surveyed and salvage excavations were conducted in 1933 and 1934.2 The 1933 excavation uncovered a room with benches along its walls and paved with a colorful mosaic floor (3.2×2.2 m), north– south in orientation, with geometric decorations. According to the excavator, the finds are the remains of a Byzantine church, probably a narthex, which, based on the mosaic, he dated to the fifth to sixth centuries CE.3 The additional excavation in 1934 of a large cistern at the site that is dated to the Roman period (second to third centuries CE), unearthed decorated oil lamps that the excavator attributes to the local pagan population. B. Bagatti attests to cross decorations on some of the

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oil lamps, thus pointing to the presence of a Christian population.4 An additional mosaic floor (5×3.05 m), with black and red cross decorations and floral patterns, was found in one of the village houses at the site.5 A recently conducted survey revealed remains of structures and a mosaic floor near one of the structures on the hill overlooking the western slopes of the Hebron Hills. The floor (3×2 m) is decorated with geometric patterns, and architectural elements including column parts, bases, and marble fragments were found scattered around the structure. The surveyor is of the opinion that a church stood at the site.6 Numerous architectural elements that apparently belong to a church, including parts of columns and their bases, fragments of a marble banister, a lintel with a tabula ansata, and an additional lintel with a cross decoration, were discovered in the vicinity of the site. A large portion of these elements was found in secondary use in late structures. Remains of structures, cisterns, burial caves, winepresses, and an oil press were uncovered around the site.7

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236.1. Beit Nattif, general plan of the room identified as part of a church.

236.2. Beit Nattif, capital found at the site.

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Concerning the site identification, see: Thomsen 1907: 33; Abel 1933–38 II: 153; Klein 1939: 16; Avi-Yonah 1976: 40; Schwartz 1986: 94; Tabula: 84. Guérin (1868–69 II: 375– 376; III: 330) identified the site with biblical Netophah (Ezra 2:22; Neh. 7:26). 2 For the excavations, see: Baramki 1935: 119–121; 1936. See the surveys: Guérin 1868–69 II: 374–377; III: 329–330; SWP III: 24; Séjourné 1892: 263; Dagan 2010: 291–308, 315, 319–322, nos. 367–375, 377–378, 380, 383.2, 388–389, especially 292–294, no. 370.1. See also: Wilkinson 1977: 1

151; Bagatti 2002b: 138–139. Baramki 1935: 119–121, Pl. LXIX. 4 Baramki 1936: 5; Bagatti 2002b: 138. The site also yielded oil lamps decorated with a seven-branched menorah pattern, dated from the late third to the fifth century CE and belonging to a Jewish population; see Sussman 2005. 5 Séjourné 1892: 263; Avi-Yonah 1933: 148, no. 25. 6 Dagan 2010: 307, Figs. 380.4–380.5. 7 Dagan 2010: 292–294, no. 370.1; 299–300, no. 372.1; 303–304, no. 375; 306–308, no. 380. 3

236.3. Beit Nattif, mosaic carpet adorned with geometric motifs from the room identified as part of a church.

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237. Khirbet ʿEin el-Keniseh (Kh. ʿAin el-Keniseh; Kh. ʾAin el-Kenîseh; Kh. ʿEin el-Kanisa) Ref. IOG: 16029 12340 Ref. ITM: 21029 62340 Ref. UTM: 69968 50941 The site is located southwest of Jerusalem. A small chapel (inner dimensions, 10×5.5 m, excluding the apse) was observed on the northern slope of the wadi. The southern and northern walls, and a small remnant of the apse wall, are preserved; they were coated with plaster and gravel. The remains of a window in the apse, and two arched niches in the southern wall, are

0

preserved. The apse, external and polygonal, had a vaulted roof, also coated with plaster. The dating of the chapel is uncertain, and it might be from the Byzantine period.1 See the survey, SWP III: 106–107. See also: SRF 51; Ovadiah and de Silva 1981: 230, no. 36; Tabula: 117. 1

5 m

237.1. Kh. ʿEin el-Keniseh, general plan of the chapel.

237.2. Kh. ʿEin el-Keniseh, view from the southwest.

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238. Khirbet Umm er-Rus (Umm er-Rûs; Oumm er-Roûs; Umm er-Rūs; Kh. Umm er-Rus esh-Shamaliya; Kh. Beth Bad; Ḥ. Beth Bad) Ref. IOG: 15210 12119 Ref. ITM: 20210 62119 Ref. UTM: 69153 50704 The site, located ca. 2 km southeast of Beit Nattif, was excavated in 1898. A basilica church (13×9.7 m), dated to the sixth and seventh centuries CE, was discovered. It was identified with the Church of St. John, based on the mosaic inscriptions mentioning his name uncovered in the church.1 The church is built of mud with stone walls coated in plaster, which are preserved in some places to a considerable height. The narthex entrance was in the west, and south of the entrance, a window. Three entrances from the narthex led to the prayer hall. The narthex (10×2.6 m) had a square mosaic carpet decorated with interlaced bands and a cross in the center. The carpet is opposite the central entrance. The prayer hall is divided into a nave and two aisles by two rows three of columns. A tomb was discovered

in the east of the southern aisle. The church has an external apse and a raised bema with depressions that are remnants of the chancel screen. The nave mosaic floor is decorated with crosses and geometric patterns. The aisle mosaic carpets are decorated with crosses and diamonds; mosaic carpets discovered between the columns are adorned with geometric patterns. The bema floor was decorated with vine scrolls and an amphora, above which is a cross decoration. Inscriptions in Syriac and Greek were discovered. The name John is mentioned in one of the Syriac and one of the Greek inscriptions.2

238.1. Kh. Umm er-Rus, Syriac and Greek inscriptions in the bema mosaic floor.

238.2. Kh. Umm er-Rus, capital adorned with a cross.

For the excavations, see Macalister 1899. See also: Vincent 1898; 1899: 452–457; Horning 1909: 133–134; Ovadiah 1970: 127–128, no. 130; Bagatti 2002b: 139–140; Tabula: 254–255. 2 Macalister 1899: 201–202; Avi-Yonah 1934: 45–46, no. 326; Bagatti 2002b: 139. Macalister notes that one of the inscriptions is in Hebrew; and Ovadiah (1970: 128) mentions that one is in Aramaic. 1

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238.3. Kh. Umm er-Rus, general plan of the church.

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238.4. Kh. Umm er-Rus, the church, view from the northwest.

239. Roglit (Kh. Jurfa; Kh. el-Jurfa; Kh. Jurfeh) Ref. IOG: 15044 12022 Ref. ITM: 20044 62022 Ref. UTM: 68989 50603 A church was discovered at Kh. Jurfa in Kibbutz Roglit in the Adullam region. Excavations conducted in 1958 revealed a basilica church (14×10 m). The church, dated to the fifth and sixth centuries CE, continued to exist up to the eighth century CE.1 The church had two entrances, one from the west, the other from the south, which led to a trapezoidal narthex paved in mosaic. From the narthex, three entrances led to the prayer hall, which was divided into a nave and aisles by two rows of three columns, of which the northwestern column remains in situ. The church’s raised bema is bordered by a chancel screen. The apse was completely destroyed. The church floor was paved in colorful mosaics with geometric patterns and floral and faunal decorations. The latter exhibit signs of iconoclasm, the animals replaced with floral patterns.2 For the excavation, see: IEJ 1959; Zvilichovsky 1960. See also: SRF 115; Biran 1959: 32, Pl. IV; Ovadiah 1970: 155–156, no. 156; Bagatti 2002b: 143; Tabula: 216. 2 The mosaics were dated to the fifth century CE; see Ovadiah and Ovadiah 1987: 124, no. 210. See also Yeivin 1960: 45, Pl. V:3.

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239. Roglit, southern aisle mosaic floor.

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240. Ḥorvat Midras (Kh. ed Drûseh; Kh. Drousia; Kh. Durûsiya; Kh. Durusiya; Drousias) Ref. IOG: 14440 11848 Ref. ITM: 19440 61848 Ref. UTM: 68389 50417 The site is located in the Judean Shephelah, ca. 7 km northeast of Beth Guvrin. Many remains of a Second Temple Jewish settlement destroyed during the Bar-Kokhba Revolt were surveyed and examined. Subterranean hiding complexes from the first and second centuries CE were found, as in additional sites in the Shephelah. A basilica church and Byzantine burial caves were also revealed, attesting to a Christian settlement.1 In 1976 a burial cave decorated with cross was revealed and a decorated monolithic lintel from a large public structure was observed. The surveyor surmised that the lintel belonged to a synagogue.2 The salvage excavation conducted in 2010–2011 revealed that the lintel belonged to a basilica church having several building phases, which had been built over a subterranean hiding complex in an ancient structure. The church (20×16 m) had an atrium and an exonarthex, paved in stone slabs, in front of it. The prayer hall was divided into a nave (10.6×5.3 m) and two aisles by two rows of four columns. The marble columns bore Corinthian capitals. The hall floor was paved in colorful mosaic carpets with geometric, faunal, and floral designs. In the east of the prayer hall was an elevated chancel, behind which were two rooms. The northern room led to a subterranean crypt; the southern wall of the room was rounded, like an apse. At a later phase, the bema was expanded westward and a mosaic floor installed, decorated with geometric and faunal designs. An apse was built, its floor paved in a mosaic carpet, partially preserved, decorated with medallions of vine scrolls that contained animals. The opening to the northern room, from which one descended to the crypt, was blocked, and an opening was made in the northern wall that allowed entrance to the crypt without going through the church. The early Christian phase of the site is in the burial cave, dated to the fourth to sixth centuries CE and its relation to the early structure is

unclear. The various phases of the church are dated to the sixth and seventh centuries CE.3 West of the site is a burial cave with a rolling stone, containing three arcosolia tombs. The walls bear carved crosses painted red and a painted Greek inscription. The cave is dated to the sixth century CE.4

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240.1. Ḥ. Midras, general plan of themchurch.

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For the site excavations, see: Kloner 1977; 1978; Dahari 1988–89; Ganor et al. 2011; 2012. See the surveys: Guérin 1868–69 II: 370; III: 336; SWP III: 280; Rachmani 1964: 223–228; Kloner 1987a. See also: Thomsen 1907: 57; Abel 1933–38 II: 309; Kloner 1983a: 218–219; Avi-Yonah 1984:

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180, no. 25; Zissu and Kloner 2010; Tabula: 114. 2 Kloner1977; Ilan 1991: 272–273. 3 Ganor et al. 2011; 2012. 4 Kloner 1978: 119.

240.2. Ḥ. Midras, the church.

241. Khirbet Ẓ ur Ref. IOG: 15135 11803 Ref. ITM: 20135 61803 Ref. UTM: 69085 50386 The site is located in the south of the Ellah Valley, ca. 2 km southeast of the settlement of Neve Mikhaʾel, close to the ancient road connecting the Ellah Valley and the hill country.1 The site was excavated in 2005 following the construction of the security fence.2 The

site exhibits settlement from the Chalcolithic, Early Bronze, and Iron II Ages, and from the Hellenistic through the Early Islamic period. Two Byzantine churches, built one over the other, and a Roman bathhouse that continued in use, with

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changes, in the Byzantine period, were revealed. The early church (16×9.7 m) is dated to the fifth century CE. The late church (17.3×12.3 m) is dated to the sixth century CE; it made secondary use of stones from the early church. Both are basilica churches with a similar general plan: a prayer hall divided into a nave and two aisles by two rows of four columns. The bema was elevated above the prayer hall and separated from it by a chancel screen. The prayer hall floor of the early church is paved in white mosaic, the bema, with a colorful mosaic carpet decorated with a grid of diamonds. The prayer hall, apse, and bema floors of the later church were decorated with colorful mosaic carpets containing geometrical patterns. Two decorations with a Maltese

cross pattern were incorporated in the mosaic at the foot of the chancel. The apse of the early church is external, unlike that of the late church, which was internal and flanked by two pastophoria, the southern of which was paved in white tesserae. The baptistery added to the north of the later church was built over part of the bathhouse and paved in white mosaic. A flower-shaped baptismal font with a rounded cruciform basin occupied the center of the baptistery. The church fell into disuse in the Early Islamic period. The site name derives from its proximity to Naḥal Ẓ ur, a tributary of Naḥal Ha-Ellah. 2 For the excavation, see Batz and Sharukh 2012a. 1

Fifth Century CE Sixth Century CE 0

241.1. Kh. Ẓ ur, construction phases of the churches and bathhouse.

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241.2. Kh. Ẓ ur, bema mosaic floor of the early church.

241.4. Kh. Ẓ ur, mosaic floor adorned with crosses in the late church nave.

241.3. Kh. Ẓ ur, late church, view from the west.

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242. Khirbet Ḥubeila (Kh. Ḥubeileh; Ch. el-Ḥebeile) Ref. IOG: 16022 11870 Ref. ITM: 21022 61870 Ref. UTM: 69970 50471 The site is located in the settlement of MassuʾotYizhaq, on a spur sloping downward from the highland ridge; it is 1.7 km west of Kh. Beit Sakariyye, near the ancient road between Hebron and Bethlehem.1 Excavations in 1924 revealed a basilica church. The excavators believed that the church (15.8×12.4 m) was part of a monastery, and dated it, based on the finds, to the sixth century CE.2 The church’s walls were 1.2 m thick. The north of the church did not survive. The atrium and narthex were not excavated. There were three entrances in the western wall. Two rows of four columns each (set 2.8 m apart) that rested on stylobates divided the prayer hall into a nave (6.4 m wide) and two aisles (each 3 m wide). The chancel screen was attached to the two columns on the hall’s east. The bema was raised above the hall by one step. The internal apse (2.3 m deep, 4.8 m in diameter), was flanked by two pastophoria (each 2.7×2.2 m). The nave, southern aisle, and apses were paved in mosaic floors decorated with geometric motifs in black, red, white, and pink. The bema was paved in a mosaic adorned with floral motifs and fish. Three columns were found in situ. Their capitals were adorned with lotus patterns. Fragments of additional columns and bases were found north of the church and elsewhere around the site.3 There was a tomb beneath the southern aisle floor. On its lid was a crudely carved inscription in Greek with the name of the deceased, Claudian (ΚΛΑΥΔΙΑΝΟΥ).4 A reliquary was found in

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the debris alongside the church.5 Additional structures were observed south and northeast of the church. A cave containing an oil press was excavated on the site in 2000.6 See the survey: SWP III: 114. See also: Schick and Benzinger 1896: 180; Ovadiah 1970: 118–119, no. 116; Bagatti 2002b: 52; Tabula: 148. 2 For the church excavation, see: Abel 1925; Vincent 1939.

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242.2. Kh. Ḥubeila, geometric and floral motifs from the church mosaic floors.

242.1. Kh. Ḥubeila, tomb lid bearing a Greek inscription.

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Abel 1925: 279, Fig. 7; Vincent 1939: Pl. III; SRF 65. Abel 1925: 281, Fig. 8:B. In Abel’s opinion, the tomb contains the monastery founder. His name, however, is not mentioned in the sources. 5 Abel 1925: 281, Fig. 8:C. 3 4

The excavations were undertaken under the direction of S. Batz and E.D. Kagan (ref. no. Judea and Samaria 924), on behalf of the Staff Officer of Archaeology—Civil Administration of Judea and Samaria; the findings have not yet been published.

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242.3. Kh. Ḥubeila, general plan of the church.

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243. Khirbet Beit Sakariyye (Kh. Beit Sakariye; Kh. Beit Sakariya; Kh. Beit Skâria; Kh. Sikâriye; Ch. Bēt Zakārjā; Bet Sakārjā; Beit Sekâria) Ref. IOG: 16174 11899 Ref. ITM: 21174 61899 Ref. UTM: 70122 50503 The site is a small village located ca. 2.5 km north of Kefar ʿEtzion, next to the ancient road between Hebron and Bethlehem. The site has been identified as Beth Zacharia (Βεθξαχαρία), mentioned in Maccabees (I Macc. 6:32–33) and in Josephus (War 1:41; Ant. 12:369).1 Some identify it with the burial place of the prophet Zechariah, which was a pilgrimage venue in the Byzantine period.2 The site has remains of structures, cisterns, and burial caves over an area of ca. 12 dunams.3 The subterranean mosque of en-Nabi Zakariya, in the middle of the village, was built over the foundations of the earlier church. Numerous ashlars, columns, and

capitals in secondary use were incorporated into the mosque, and two marble chancel screen posts were integrated into the railing on its roof.4

243.1. Kh. Beit Sakariyye.

243.2. Kh. Beit Sakariyye, chancel screen posts in secondary use in the mosque.

Concerning the site identification, see: Abel 1933–38 II: 284; Tabula: 87. 2 Thomsen 1907: 33; Avi-Yonah 1976: 42. 3 See the surveys: Robinson and Smith 1857: 283–284; Guérin 1868–69 III: 316–319; SWP III: 108; Séjourné 1895: 254; Kochavi 1972: 44–45, no. 50. See also: Schick and Benzinger 1896: 175; Abel 1924c: 212–214; Wibbing 1962: 162; Wilkinson 1977: 151; Ovadiah and de Silva 1981: 232, no. 40; Bagatti 2002b: 51–52. 4 SWP III: 108; Kochavi 1972: 44–45, no. 50. 1

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244. Khirbet Marsiʿ (Kh. Marsiʾa; Ch. Marsīʿa; Kh. Merasia; Ch. Merāsijaʿ) Ref. IOG: 16539 11885 Ref. ITM: 21539 61885 Ref. UTM: 70487 50496 The site is located in a village ca. 2.7 km northeast of Kh. Bureikut and ca. 5.8 km southwest of Bethlehem.1 A survey discerned the foundations of an ashlar structure, probably a church. Amid its building stones were a column fragment (0.2 m in diameter), a capital, and a stone lintel adorned with crosses.2 A number of architectural elements, apparently from the Kh. Marsi ʿ church, were transferred to Kh. Abdalla Ibrahim (ITM: 21599/61920). These included columns and chancel posts, a Corinthian capital, and a stone lintel adorned with Maltese crosses in circles.3 See the surveys: Guérin 1868–69 III: 302; SWP III: 359; Kochavi 1972: 45, no. 51. See also: Schick and Benzinger 1896: 184; Tabula: 180. 2 SRF 137. 3 SHJ 307/69/1 (Abdalla Ibrahim).

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244. Kh. Marsi ʿ, capital found at the site.

245. Herodion (Jschebel el-furēdīs; Kh. Furdies; Kh. Fradis; el-Fureidis; Jebel Fureidis; Herodium) Ref. IOG: 17310 11929 Ref. ITM: 22310 61929 Ref. UTM: 71257 50556 The site, located ca. 12 km south of Jerusalem, was a fortress and a palace built by Herod, named after him, and his place of burial (Ήρώδειου; War 1:265, 419, 673; Ant. 14:360; 15:323–325; 17:199). It was also the capital of a toparchy in Judea (War 3:55).1 In the Byzantine period three churches were built in Lower Herodion, along with a chapel that was built in the ruins of the fortress at the top of the hill and was probably a remnant of a small monastery. The monastery was excavated in the 1960s; the chapel

(8.7×4.3 m) had a round apse, and monastic cells were also discovered.2 The three churches were excavated in the 1970s and 1980s. They are basilical in plan, have a second story, and were built over or close to the Herodian remains.3 The northern church contains a longitudinal narthex with three entrances to the prayer hall, (inner dimensions, 10.4×8.5 m) which is divided by two rows of four built piers into a nave and two aisles. Benches run along the length of the prayer hall walls.

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The square apse is flanked by two rooms that open to the aisles. A built basin, most likely a baptismal font, was discovered in the room south of the apse. The church floor is paved with mosaic carpets, preserved

almost in their entirety. The central mosaic carpet is decorated with simple geometric patterns. North of the prayer hall are three rooms paved with mosaic floors; the easternmost room probably functioned as a chapel.

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245.1. Herodion, general plan of the northern church.

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245.2. Herodion, general plan of the eastern church.

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Three inscriptions were revealed: one in the narthex, another in the nave central carpet in a tabula ansata, and the third in the northern chapel, also in a tabula ansata. Two inscriptions mention the donors who contributed funds for the establishment of the church, and their families; most of the names are Semitic.4 This is the earliest of the three churches, and is dated to the second half of the fifth or early sixth century CE. The eastern church, with a prayer hall (inner dimensions, 12.3×8.3 m) is divided by four columns on each side into a nave and two aisles. Access to the prayer hall from the narthex is provided by three entrances. The church has an inner apse flanked by two rooms, the northern of which is not preserved. Although only a few mosaic segments are preserved, it appears that all of the church floors were paved with mosaics. The nave central mosaic carpet is decorated

with medallions with fauna. South of the prayer hall are two additional rooms with mosaic floors that were entered from the southern aisle. The western of these two rooms contains a round baptismal font, and served as a baptistery. The second room, a chapel, contains a partly preserved inscription in a tabula ansata.5 The church is dated to the second half of the sixth century CE. The central church is built of finely hewn ashlars, some ornamented, which were apparently taken from a dismantled Herodian structure. It consists of a prayer hall (inner dimensions, 11.4×10.2 m), divided by two rows of four columns into a nave and two aisles. Two church entrances, on the south, lead to the southern aisle; outside the entrances is an open paved area. An additional entrance, in the northwestern end of the western wall, was blocked in a later phase.

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245.3. Herodion, general plan of the central church.

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The church has an inner apse, which contained traces of fresco decoration on the wall, and a raised bema bounded by a chancel screen. The apse is flanked by two pastophoria that open to the aisles. A baptismal font with a rounded cruciform basin was discovered in the southern room, which served as a baptistery. North of the prayer hall are two rooms with mosaic floors, the western of which has two entrances to the northern aisle. In this church, as well, the mosaics are not preserved in their entirety, and except in the aisles, few segments remain. The central mosaic carpet is decorated in a complex geometric pattern. This church was apparently built after the eastern church. The three basilica churches discovered around Lower Herodion were not attached to monasteries. Extensive excavations conducted at the site revealed no signs of a large population in the Byzantine period, so that no large city was built in Herodion that would have required the establishment of three churches; nor was the site sacred. The proliferation of the churches there probably ensued from the abundance of building

stones from the late Second Temple period and the facility of building the churches. The churches are distant from one another, and seemingly served the Christian population living in the vicinity. Part of this populace undoubtedly consisted of nomads, villagers, and shepherds that came to the region in the winter and spring. Concerning the site identification, see: Schick and Benzinger 1896: 189; Thomsen 1907: 65; Avi-Yonah 1976: 65; Tabula: 143. For the excavations, see: ESI 1982b; 1983a; Netzer 1973; 1981; 1986; 1986–87; Netzer and Arazi 1985; Netzer, Kalman and Laureys 2000; Netzer et al. 2008; 2009. See the surveys: Guérin 1868–69 III: 122–132; Schick 1880: 88–90; SWP III: 315–316, 330–332. See also Ovadiah and de Silva 1981: 218–219, nos. 19–20. 2 Corbo 1967: 116–118. 3 ESI 1982b; 1983a: 47; Netzer1990; Netzer, BirgerCalderon and Feller 1993. On the Byzantine remains in Lower Herodion see: Netzer, Kalman and Laureys 2001; Netzer, Kalman and Chachy-Laureys 2005. 4 Di Segni1990b: 177–184. 5 Di Segni1990b: 184–185. 1

245.4. Herodion, the central church, view from the southeast.

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246. Khirbet Ṣ afa (Kh. Ṣ āfā; Kh. Sâfa) Ref. IOG: 15905 11691 Ref. ITM: 20905 61691 Ref. UTM: 69857 50290 The site is a village located ca. 3.3 km northwest of Beit Ummar and ca. 2.5 km east of Ṣ urif, near the ancient road between Beth Guvrin-Eleutheropolis and Bethlehem.1 All the structural remains were buried under later buildings. Architectural elements

belonging to a church, e.g., a column with its base and a marble chancel screen post, were observed.2 See the surveys: SWP III: 309; Kochavi 1972: 45, no. 53. See also Schick and Benzinger 1896: 209. 2 SRF 163.

1

247. Khirbet Bureikut (Kh. Bureikat; Kh. Breikût; Kh. Bereikout; Ch. Berēkūt; Ḥ. Berachot) Ref. IOG: 16366 11677 Ref. ITM: 21366 61677 Ref. UTM: 70318 50285 The site is located in Kibbutz Migdal-ʿOz, near the ancient road between Hebron and Bethlehem.1 A basilical church, probably attached to a monastery, was excavated in 1976; its erection is dated to the middle of the sixth century CE. In front of the church is an atrium surrounded by a peristyle and auxiliary structures; there is a cistern at its center. Three entrances from the narthex (14×3 m) lead to the prayer hall (15.5×12.5 m), which is divided into a nave (6 m wide) and two aisles (each 2.5 m wide). The hall is divided by two rows of four columns: the columns are 1.9 m apart; the bases (ca. 0.5×0.5 m) were found in situ. The excavators reconstructed an internal apse (2.5 m deep, 5 m in diameter); the two pastophoria jutt out on either side on the east of the church. The mosaic floor in the nave and aisles includes medallions with zoomorphic figures. The bema was probably paved with opus sectile. Segments of colorful mosaic were found in the narthex and atrium. Underneath the east

of the nave is a rectangular crypt (4.5×3×3 m). It was installed in a natural cave, with access afforded by means of two descending staircases, one from the north and one from the south. Its floor is paved with a mosaic featuring floral motifs and crosses. There is a stone lintel adorned with a cross in the crypt window. A Muslim inscription in Kufic script is engraved on the crypt’s southern wall. The cave contains a tomb predating the erection of the church, with the bones of 11 individuals. The excavators believe that the cave was transformed into a chapel towards the end of the fourth century CE, i.e., before the church was built.2 See the surveys: Robinson and Smith 1857: 275; Guérin 1868–69 III: 301; SWP III: 311, 352; ḤA 1979. See also: Schick and Benzinger 1896: 174; Ben-Shalom 1983; Bagatti 2002b: 67–68; Tabula: 78. 2 For the excavations, see: Tsafrir and Hirschfeld 1976; 1977; 1979: 295–326; 1993.

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247.1. Kh. Bureikut, general plan of the remains of the church and crypt.

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247.2. Kh. Bureikut, reconstruction plan of the church.

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247.3. Kh. Bureikut, the crypt, view from the west.

247.4. Kh. Bureikut, nave mosaic floor segments.

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247.5. Kh. Bureikut, nave mosaic floor segment.

248. Beit Shaʿar (Beit Chaʿâr; Beit Shi ʿār; Bēt Schaʿar; Bēt Schaʿr; Bēt Šaʿār; Deir Shaʿar) Ref. IOG: 16887 11705 Ref. ITM: 21887 61705 Ref. UTM: 70838 50324 The site is located ca. 3.2 km north of Beit Ummar on the ancient road between Hebron and Bethlehem.1 The Byzantine remains are presently covered by ruins of a Russian monastery dating to the early twentieth century. However, part of a Byzantine church that apparently belonged to a monastery was excavated in 1902.2 It was basilical in plan (9.6×9 m), with a narthex (9×3.2 m). The prayer hall was divided into a nave (4.2 m wide) and two aisles (each 2.4 m wide). Two steps ascended to the bema. The church had two apses: the central one, in the nave, projected slightly

outwards (3.4×1.8 m); the other, in the northern aisle, was internal (2×1 m).3 The nave had a colorful mosaic floor with geometric and floral motifs4 and a four-line Greek inscription. J. Germer-Durand dated it to the second half of the sixth century CE.5 In the central apse mosaic floor a segment was preserved that was decorated with two gazelles standing on either side of some object, apparently an amphora.6 Near the gazelles were remains of an inscription.7 A marble chancel screen panel fragment adorned with a cross was found on the site.8

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See the surveys: Mader 1918: 204–205; Philipp 1936; 1937; Schneider 1938: 96–98; Kochavi 1972: 45, no. 55; Ben-Shalom 1986. See also: Schick and Benzinger 1896: 175; Meistermann 1904: 92–99; Lukianov 1936; Ovadiah 1970: 28–29, no. 17; Bagatti 2002b: 52–53, 55; Tabula: 77. 2 For the excavation, see Vincent 1903. 3 Schneider 1938: 97, Fig. 6. The southern aisle is possibly a room or two, such as appears in Vincent’s sketch. Schneider surveyed the church after the modern structure had been built over its walls in the southeast, but had the impression that the southern aisle lacked an apse. 4 Vincent 1903. 5 For Gérmer-Durand’s opinion, see Mader 1918: 204. See also Avi-Yonah 1933: 149, no. 26; SEG VIII: no. 238. 6 Philipp 1937: 11, 13–14. According to another account, the gazelles were placed at either side of the Tree of Life; see Lukianov 1936: 93–94. 7 Philipp 1937: 14–15. The inscription included the word ΠΕΡΣΩ. On the basis of this word, the surveyor concluded that the church’s foundation was connected with the Persian Wars during the reign of Heraclius. In his opinion, monks were slaughtered by Persians on this site. Consequently, the church is dated to the first half of the seventh century CE, which is inconsistent with the dating of this inscription as established by Gérmer-Durand. 8 Schneider 1938: 97–98, Fig. 7. 1

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248.2. Beit Shaʿar, general plan of the church.

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248.1. Beit Shaʿar, Greek inscription in the nave mosaic floor.

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248.3. Beit Shaʿar, mosaic floor segment in the church’s central apse.

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248.4. Beit Shaʿar, chancel screen fragment with cross decorations.

249. Kh. Khureitun—Monastery of Chariton (Kh. el-Khureitūn; Kh. Khureitûn) Ref. IOG: 17259 11719 Ref. ITM: 22259 61719 Ref. UTM: 71210 50345 The site is a monastery of the laura type, located 3 km northeast of the Tekoaʿ site. The name of the monastery’s founder, Chariton, is preserved in the name of the ruin, Kh. Khureitun, and in the name of the wadi: Wadi Khureitun, on whose slopes the monastery is built.1 The “Hanging Cave” (Κρεμαστόν Χαρίτωνος) of Chariton, mentioned in Christian sources (Vita Charitonis 24, 34), was identified some 0.8 km to the south.2 Chariton began his monastic life in the monastery of Douka at Qurunṭul, above Jericho, later moving southward to Tekoa (Vita Charitonis 23). In 345 CE he founded his monastery, also known as Souka (Σουκά), which apparently was its earlier name, and as the Old Laura. The site was thoroughly surveyed a number of times in the nineteenth century, with most

of the remains and finds coming from the Byzantine and Early Islamic periods.3 The monastery, located on the steep slope that descends to Wadi Khureitun and covers an area of ca. 2 dunams, is encompassed on three sides by massive towers. The site yielded monastic cells, seclusion cells, storerooms, and a chapel. Tremendous retaining walls preserved to a height of 4–5 m were built to support the monastery structure, which was built on the slopes, and to prepare leveled areas for construction. Remains of sections of agricultural terraces and irrigation systems with reservoirs, cisterns, and pools were found on the slopes west and south of the monastery core. A large reservoir known as Bir el-ʿUneizieh was built in the upper part of the streambed.4 Twenty-five cisterns and, on the

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terraces, a garden that covered almost 20 dunams, were discovered. The site continued in use in the Early Islamic period, and it is likely that the garden was created in that period and did not belong to the monastery. On the northern bank of Wadi Khareitun, 1.7 km east of Kh. Khareitun, is the site known as the Rock of the Crosses (ITM: 22398/61577). The site is located on the intersection of the paths joining Kh. Khareitun, ʿEin es-Sakhari, and Kh. Umm el-ʿAmed.5 The remains include a niche (8.4 m long, 3.5 m wide, and 3 m high) cut into the bedrock wall, and incised with five crosses, and a cave (22 m wide, 25 m deep, and up to 9 m high), which probably served as a dwelling. A semicircular niche was cut into the cave’s eastern wall; to its left are traces of two additional niches. A plastered cistern and a rock-cut staircase are positioned in the cave’s entranceway.6 Concerning the site identification, see: Vailhé 1900: 13–14, no. 21; Abel 1933–38 II: 471; Avi-Yonah 1976: 98; Reeg 1989: 530–531; Tabula: 236. 2 For the excavation of the “Hanging Cave,” see: Hirschfeld 1988a; 1991. See also Hirschfeld 1985a: 53–58, nos. 26–27. 3 See the surveys: Robinson and Smith 1841 II: 174–175; Tobler 1854: 509–510; Guérin 1868–69 III: 133–139; Marti 1880: 37–40; SWP III: 357, 375–376 (Mûghâret Masa); Strobel 1967; Bagatti 1971b; Hirschfeld 1985a: 36–48, 53– 58, nos. 17, 26–27. See also: Schick and Benzinger 1896: 176; Vailhé 1900: 13–14, no. 21; Wilkinson 1977: 154; Hirschfeld 1989a; 1990: 8–12, no. 3; 1992: 23–24, 228–232; 1993b: 297–300. 4 SWP III: 357; Hirschfeld 1985a: 45–46, Figs. 26–27. 5 The site received its name from Hirschfeld, who discovered it: Hirschfeld 1985a: 72–74, no. 45. See also: Hirschfeld 1988a; 1990: 75–77; 1992: 224–226; 1993b: 303–304; Tabula: 215. 6 Hirschfeld 1985a: 72–74, no. 45. 1

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249.1. Kh. Khureitun—monastery of Chariton, cross section of the “Hanging Cave.”

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249.2. Kh. Khureitun—monastery of Chariton, Rock of the Crosses.

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250. ʿEin es-Sakhari (ʿAin es-Sakhri) Ref. IOG: 17359 11639 Ref. ITM: 22359 61639 Ref. UTM: 71312 50267 The site, remains of a coenobium monastery, is located on the northern bank of Wadi Khureitun, 1.5 km southeast of Kh. Khureitun.1 It was established on an outcrop that measured ca. 70×5 m. Its eastern end is bounded by a natural fissure in the rock, so that the monastery entrance was probably located there. The structure was bounded in the west by a massive wall. West of the monastery, near the spring, a pool (5.6×1.4×0.9 m) was built and a settling pit was installed beside it. Remains of residential cells were discovered in the east of the monastery. In the cliff bordering the bedrock surface were two rows of niches; these were used to hold the roofing beams of the two-story structure. Adjacent to the cells were two Greek inscriptions, written in red on a smoothed surface, ca. 1.5 m above the bedrock.2 The letters are blurred and undecipherable. Some scholars identify the site with the “Small Monastery” of Chariton, mentioned in a source dating to the eighth century CE.3 See the survey: Hirschfeld 1985a: 58–60, no. 28. See also: Schick and Benzinger 1896: 153; Hirschfeld 1990: 62, no. 56, Figs. 72–73; Tabula: 117. 2 Hirschfeld 1985a: 58–60, no. 28. 3 Hirschfeld 1985a: 17, note 42. 1

250.1. ʿEin es-Sakhari, general plan of the site.

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250.2. ʿEin es-Sakhari, cross section of the site.

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251. Khirbet ʿEin Dab (Kh. ʾAin Dab) Ref. IOG: 15189 11516 Ref. ITM: 20189 61516 Ref. UTM: 69145 50100 The site, located ca. 3.3 km north of Beit Aula, has been identified with the settlement of Enadab (Ἡναδάβ), mentioned in Eusebius’ Onomasticon (On. 94:29).1 The site was excavated in 1999; a basilical church (24.2×15 m) was revealed in the east of the site. Based on the finds, it has been dated to the first half of the sixth century CE. There was a narthex in front of the prayer hall. The hall itself was divided by two rows of columns into a nave and two aisles, which ended in three apses. Auxiliary rooms were attached to the church in the north. The finds include fragments of columns and of marble chancel screen panels. The

nave mosaic floor was decorated with vine scrolls with leaves and grape clusters emerging from an amphora, creating medallions containing zoomorphical figures; the latter were defaced due to iconoclasm in the Early Islamic period. The mosaic in the northern aisle includes a six-line Greek inscription.2 This identification was proposed by Y. Peleg; see Peleg 2012a: 37. For an alternative proposal, see: Thomsen 1907: 65; Avi-Yonah 1976: 55. For the surveys, see: Guérin 1868–69 III: 348; SWP III: 347. 2 For the excavation, see Peleg 2012a. See also Magen 2008e: 298–299.

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251.1. Kh. ʿEin Dab, the nave and northern aisle, view from the west.

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251.2. Kh. ʿEin Dab, general plan of the church.

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251.3. Kh. ʿEin Dab, Greek inscription in the northern aisle mosaic floor.

252. Khirbet Judur (Kh. Jedûr; Kh. Ǧedūr; Kh. Djedour; Ch. Dscedūr; Kh. Ijdûr; Kh. Judūr) Ref. IOG: 15877 11553 Ref. ITM: 20877 61553 Ref. UTM: 69832 50151 The site is a biblical tell near the springs of ʿEin Judur and ʿEin Kasiah, ca. 2.2 km northwest of Beit Ummar. It lies near the ancient road between Hebron and Bethlehem, and has been identified with the settlement of Gedor (Γίδωρα), mentioned in Eusebius’ Onomasticon (On. 68:20).1 The site, surveyed and excavated in the 1930s, revealed Roman and Byzantine occupation layers, as well as earlier remains, including buildings, caves, winepresses, cisterns, and a hiding complex, spread out over an area of ca. 100 dunams.2 At present, all the vestiges are ruinous, owing to later

construction. In his book, B. Bagatti published the lid of a small reliquary, of pink stone, found at the site; it evidently derives from the church.3 Concerning the site identification, see: Thomsen 1907: 52; Abel 1933–38 II: 330; Avi-Yonah 1976: 60; Tabula: 131. 2 The excavations focused mainly on the biblical strata. For the Byzantine remains, see Baramki 1935: 121. See the surveys: Guérin 1868–69 III: 380–381; SWP III: 313, 354; Kochavi 1972: 46–47, nos. 59–60. See also: Noth 1934: 42, 46; Kloner 1983b: 129; 1987b: 267–270; Even Esh 1986. 3 Bagatti 2002b: 53, Pl. 14:2.

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253. Khirbet ʿAsida (Kh. ʿAsideh) Ref. IOG: 16044 11392 Ref. ITM: 21044 61392 Ref. UTM: 70002 49994 The site is located on a small hill, ca. 0.8 km southeast of Beit Ummar and ca. 0.5 km south of Kh. Kufin.1 A basilica church (15.3×9 m) dating to the fifth to eighth centuries CE was excavated in 1932. Its eastern

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253.1. Kh. ʿAsida, general plan of the church.

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section did not survive, and its plan was reconstructed. The church walls (ca. 1 m thick) were built of ashlars and plastered. A wide opening with a step leads to the narthex from the west. One entrance leads from the narthex (8.6×2.2 m) to the prayer hall. The lower portion of the prayer hall walls were cut from the bedrock. Two rows of four square piers divided the hall into a nave (4.5 m wide) and two aisles (each 2.2 m wide). The piers are 1.8 m apart. The church probably had an external apse (3.8 m deep, 3.9 m in diameter). The narthex mosaic floor was adorned with a scale pattern and the one in the nave, with floral motifs, zoomorphic figures, and birds. It reveals signs of iconoclasm: the figures were defaced and

253.2. Kh. ʿAsida, decorative motifs from the nave mosaic floor.

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replaced by floral motifs. The aisles were paved with mosaics adorned with leaves that formed crosses.2 A marble chancel screen post found on the site probably belonged to the church.3

Ovadiah 1970: 106, no. 100; Bagatti 2002b: 56–57; Tabula: 70. 2 For the excavations, see: Baramki and Avi-Yonah 1934. 3 SRF 10.

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253.3. Kh. ʿAsida, iconoclastic defacement replaced by a floral motif in the nave floor.

254. Khirbet Kufin (Kh. Koufin) Ref. IOG: 16088 11429 Ref. ITM: 21088 61429 Ref. UTM: 70045 50031 The site is located on a hilltop ca. 1.5 km east of Beit Ummar, on the ancient road between Hebron and Bethlehem.1 A church, dating to the fourth to sixth centuries CE, was excavated in 1931.2 It includes a narthex (12.5×3.5 m) and an atrium with a cistern, which was largely buried under later construction. The prayer hall (14.5×12.5 m) has an apse (2.5 m deep, 5.2 m in diameter). The hall is divided into a nave (5.7 m wide) and two aisles (each 1.9 m wide). The columns were set on a stylobate. A retaining wall was built along the church’s eastern wall to support the apse.3 A bema (5.5×3 m) was installed in front of the apse.4 In

the nave, adjoining the northern stylobate, was a niche (1.8×0.6 m); it was constructed of stones set on their narrow sides, and held a reliquary or possibly served as a cist grave.5 Architectural elements apparently belonging to the church were observed on the site, e.g.: the fragment of a relief-decorated cornice, a Corinthian capital made of marble, and a column in secondary use in the courtyard of the Sheikh el-Arbʿain Mosque.6 See the surveys: Robinson and Smith 1857: 275; Guérin 1868–69 III: 297; SWP III: 358; Kochavi 1972: 47–48, no. 66. See also: Schick and Benzinger 1896: 184; Ovadiah

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1970: 120–121, no.118; Ovadiah and de Silva 1982: 152, no. 38; Bagatti 2002b: 53–56; Tabula: 169. 2 For the excavations, see Baramki 1935: 118–119. The church’s location on the site is unclear. 3 In the excavator’s opinion, this element belongs to a later building phase. Considering the structure’s character (SRF 125), it seems, in fact, that this is the church’s eastern wall, which was built this way to buttress the apse. 4 The excavator describes the three walls erected in front of the apse as a residential addition belonging to a later phase of the structure. However, judging by the location of the walls and their mode of construction (dressed stones), it appears instead that they represent the bema foundations. 5 Baramki 1935: 118–119. 6 SRF 125.

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254.1. Kh. Kufin, general plan of the church.

254.3. Kh. Kufin, capital found at the site.

254.2. Kh. Kufin, remains of the church apse.

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255. Khirbet Beit Ziʿte (Kh. Beit Zi ʿta; Ch. Bēt Zētā) Ref. IOG: 16164 11459 Ref. ITM: 21164 61459 Ref. UTM: 70121 50063 The site is located on a small hill in the middle of the Berakha Valley. F.M. Abel proposed identifying it with Bethzeth (Βηθζαίθ), mentioned in Maccabees (I Macc. 7:19).1 It is presently covered and almost totally ruinous, owing to intensive agricultural activity.2 The area yielded architectural elements that probably derive from a church, e.g., column fragments, capitals, a lintel decorated with a Maltese cross inside a circle, and a rosette.3

Concerning the site identification, see: Abel 1933–38 II: 284. 2 See the surveys: Guérin 1968–69 III: 299; SWP III: 312, 325; Kochavi 1972: 48, no. 67. See also: Schick and Benzinger 1896: 164; Avi-Yonah 1984: 103; Tabula: 77. A pottery kiln was excavated in 1935 by Baramki and Freidin. The excavation was not published; for an account, see SRF 33. 3 SRF 33; Kochavi 1972: 48, no. 67.

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256. Khirbet el-ʿArub (ʿEin ʿArrūb; Aïn Arroub; Kh. el-ʿArūb) Ref. IOG: 16379 11390 Ref. ITM: 21379 61390 Ref. UTM: 70337 49998 The site is located in Wadi el-ʿArub, next to ʿEin elʿArub, 1.5 km southwest of Beit Fajjar. It has been identified as Qiriat ʿArbaia.1 At the beginning of the twentieth century, E. Zaccaria found the remains of a Byzantine church there. According to his description, it was basilical in plan (ca. 20×8–10 m), and comprised a narthex and a prayer hall divided into a nave and two aisles ending in internal apses. The middle apse had a semicircular mosaic carpet adorned with two trees flanked by two deer. The mosaic segment in the northern aisle had the vestiges of a dedicatory inscription in Greek; it contained four lines, surrounded by crosses, inside a frame. The inscription attests to the church’s dedication to John the Baptist. A mosaic segment that had probably

been located in the southern aisle contains a depiction of a baptism scene.2 However, the reliability of this account is doubtful; it has been surmised that Zaccaria was inadvertently describing the church at Beit Fajjar.3 Concerning the site identification, see: Yadin 1971: 128–130; Reeg 1989: 88; Tabula: 209. See the surveys: Guérin 1868–69 III: 300–301; Zaccaria’s survey, cited by Meistermann 1904: 92–93; Kochavi 1972: 49, no. 74. Hiding complexes from the time of Bar-Kokhba were excavated on the site: ḤA 1968. See also: Schick and Benzinger 1896: 191; Avi-Yonah 1933: 154–155, no. 67; Ovadiah 1970: 52, no. 41; Kloner 1983b: 127–128. 2 Meistermann 1904: 93. 3 Vincent 1903; Meistermann 1904: 92–93. See also Beit Fajjar (site no. 257) in this volume.

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257. Beit Fajjar (Bēt Faddschār; Beit Faghour; Beit Fajjār) Ref. IOG: 16460 11460 Ref. ITM: 21460 61460 Ref. UTM: 70416 50070 The site is a village located on a hilltop, 0.5 km east of ʿEin esh-Shenne and 1 km northeast of Kh. el-ʿArub. Some identify it with the village of Fagor (Φογëρ), mentioned in Eusebius’ Onomasticon (On. 168:25).1 All the ancient remains are presently covered by later construction.2 Mosaic segments were observed in the village at the beginning of the twentieth century.3 In 1935, a burial cave was excavated nearby; it yielded an oil lamp adorned with a cross.4

Concerning the site identification, see: Boree 1930: 28; Notley and Safrai 2005: 158. See also Horowitz 1923: 150. 2 See the surveys: Guérin 1868–69 III: 313; SWP III: 35, 112; Kochavi 1972: 48, no. 68. See also: Schick and Benzinger 1896: 160; Bagatti 2002b: 68. 3 SRF 28; Avi-Yonah 1935: 187, no. 367. 4 Husseini and Iliffe 1935: Pl. LXXXVI:5.

1

258. Khirbet Tekoaʿ (Kh. et-Tuqūʿ; Kh. Tekoua; Kh. Tekûʿa; Ch. Teḳ ū; . Taqû; Tequʿ; Tequʿa; Teqoʿa; Tecoa) Ref. IOG: 17010 11570 Ref. ITM: 22010 61570 Ref. UTM: 70964 50191 The site is located on a hill south of the village of Tekoaʿ.1 According to Byzantine tradition, the site (Θεκώα) is the burial place of the prophet Amos (On. 98:17; De Locis Sanctis L2).2 Some 30 dunams in area, the site comprises the remains of numerous structures, caves (including burial caves), cisterns, and a Crusader fortress.3 A large Byzantine church was surveyed, and partially excavated in 1968. Located in the north of the site, it was basilical in plan (24.6×16.8 m), and belongs to a large complex, probably a monastery. The prayer hall includes a rectangular, external apse (6.8 m deep, 7.3 m in diameter). The hall is divided into a nave and two aisles by two rows of four columns and two pilasters; the latter adjoin the western wall and apse on the east. The prayer hall entrance is in the southern wall. Traces of mosaic were found in

the hall. The architectural elements include columns (0.6 m in diameter) on square bases (0.8×0.8 m) and capitals. North of the church is an open courtyard containing five cisterns. West of the courtyard and south of the church are series of rooms.4 An octagonal baptismal font (1.2 m high, 1.1 m in diameter), the sides of which were adorned with crosses and rosettes, was found northwest of the church; it was originally surveyed in the nineteenth century.5 Other elements, probably deriving from the church, were in secondary use in the Crusader fortress nearby.6 South of the church, in the middle of the site, was a chapel—a long apsidal structure (11×6 m) facing east. It was surrounded by a number of walls that demarcate an area of ca. 20×17 m.7 The burial caves excavated on the site yielded Byzantine oil lamps with decorative crosses and dedicatory inscriptions.8

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258.1. Kh. Tekoaʿ, general plan of the monastery.

258.2. Kh. Tekoaʿ, octagonal baptismal font at the site.

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1

Concerning the site identification, see: Thomsen 1907: 68; Abel 1933–38II: 478–479; Avi-Yonah 1976: 99; Tabula: 248. 2 Eusebius (On. 86:13) also identifies the settlement of Eltekon (Ἐλθεκέ), which appears in Josh. 15:58, as Tekoaʿ (Θεκουά). 3 For the excavations, see: CNI 1968. See the surveys: Robinson and Smith 1841 II: 182–184; Guérin 1868–69 III: 141–148; Tristram 1882: 393; SWP III: 368–369; Gutterlin 1921; Kochavi 1972: 47, no. 62; Escobar 1976a; 1976b; Hirschfeld 1985a: 63–66, nos. 37–38. See also: Möller and Schmitt 1976: 94–95; Wilkinson 1977: 173; Ovadiah and de Silva 1981: 256–257, no. 74; 1984: 148, no. 55; Avi-Yonah 1984: 104; Reeg 1989: 621–622; Bagatti 2002b: 64–67.

4

Escobar 1976b: 46–48, Fig. 7. The excavators identified it as a church dedicated to the prophet Amos, mentioned in the sources; see CNI 1968. In the view of the Franciscans, however, it was dedicated to St. Nicolas. 5 SWP III: 368–369. A column was discovered at the beginning of the twentieth century; see Gutterlin 1921: 34–35, Fig. 5. Another was set up in the nearby village (JSRF 76/15). 6 Gutterlin 1921: 35–36; Hirschfeld 1985a: 66, no. 38. 7 Hirschfeld 1985a: 63–65, no. 37. Robinson and Smith (1841 II: 182–184) noted that a church had previously been noted in a survey but they did not find one. The chapel was possibly built next to the cave where, according to tradition, Amos the prophet was interred. 8 Escobar 1976b: 57–60, Fig. m:1–4, 6.

258.3. Kh. Tekoaʿ, column bases strewn about the site.

258.5. Kh. Tekoaʿ, capital found at the site.

258.4. Kh. Tekoaʿ, remains of the church apse.

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259. Qaṣ r Abu Leimun (Kūsr Umm el-Leimûn; Kasr Umm Leimūn; Kasr el-Limoun; Qaṣr Abū Leimūn) Ref. IOG: 17119 11509 Ref. ITM: 22119 61509 Ref. UTM: 71074 50132 The site is located on a wide spur extending eastward from Wadi Khareitun, ca. 1.5 km southwest of the village of Tekoaʿ. The complex has been defined as

a fortress or a monastery.1 It has two building phases. In the first, a single ashlar-built structure was erected; some of the stones have marginal drafting. It includes a hall (14.5×10 m), east–west in orientation. The entrance was fixed in the western wall. South of the structure are the remains of a courtyard. In the later phase, two rooms roofed with fieldstone vaults were erected west of the hall.2 In the opening between the rooms, the lintel bears a cross.3 See the surveys: Guérin 1868–69 III: 140; SWP III: 375; Marcoff and Chitty 1929: 174; Kochavi 1972: 47, no. 63; Hirschfeld 1985a: 66–67, no. 39. See also Tabula: 207. 2 Hirschfeld 1985a: 66–67, no. 39. He proposed that this structure was a church in its earlier phase. Marcoff and Chitty (1929: 174) do not distinguish two phases; in their view, the vaults comprise the foundations of the church built over them. 3 Marcoff and Chitty 1929: 174.

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259.1. Qaṣr Abu Leimun, general plan of the site.

259.2. Qaṣr Abu Leimun.

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260. Qaṣ r ʿAntar (Kŭsr ʿAntar; Qasr el-ʿAbd; Juwar el-Qaṣr) Ref. IOG: 17190 11501 Ref. ITM: 22190 61501 Ref. UTM: 71146 50126 The site is located at the end of a spur ca. 1 km south of the village of Tekoaʿ.1 A rectangular chapel (15.4×10.6 m) was surveyed there. It has an internal apse (3.9 m in diameter) and two niches that flank the apse.2 The eastern third of the chapel is separated by a wall.3 In the northern corner of the apse, an opening afforded access to a burial cave hewn underneath. It comprises a corridor and a small burial chamber (2.8×2.3 m).4 Northeast of the chapel was another structure,5 and remains of a defensive wall and a round tower possibly lie east of the complex.6 See the surveys: Guérin 1868–69 III: 141; Marcoff and Chitty 1929: 174–175; Bagatti 1968b; Kochavi 1972: 48, no. 69; Hirschfeld 1985a: 68–69, no. 40. See also: Ovadiah 1970: 100, no. 93; Ovadiah and de Silva 1982: 160–161, no. 47; Hirschfeld 1990: 78; Tabula: 207. 2 Bagatti 1968b. 3 Hirschfeld 1985a: 68–69, no. 40. In the surveyor’s view, this wall belongs to a later phase in the structure’s use. Marcoff and Chitty (1929: 174–175) believe that it divided the prothesis from the diaconicon. 4 Hirschfeld 1985a: 68–69, no. 40. In the surveyor’s view, the grave predates the chapel. 5 Kochavi 1972: 48, no. 69. In the surveyor’s view, this structure predates the chapel. 6 Bagatti 1968b. In his view, the remains represent a laura monastery, and he proposes identifying it as the monastery of Romanus. Hirschfeld (1993b: 301–303), by contrast, considers the chapel a commemorative building and a pilgrimage venue; he bases his opinion on the burial cave predating the actual chapel.

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260. Qaṣr ʿAntar, general plan of the chapel and the structure on the northeast.

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261. Khirbet Rabiʿa Ref. IOG: 17334 11381 Ref. ITM: 22334 61381 Ref. UTM: 71292 50009 This site is located south of Naḥal ʿAmos and 3.5 km southeast of Tekoaʿ. It has been identified as a coenobium monastery. It is a rectangular complex (22.2×18.5 m) built around a central courtyard, in the middle of which is a reservoir. In the southwestern corner of the complex, a square vestibule (4.7×4.7 m) revealed traces of a mosaic floor in black, red, and white. Beyond the vestibule is a structure divided into two rooms (4.8×3.9 m and 3.9×3.5 m). The western room adjoins another room (4.9×4.9 m) that is roofed with a cross vault. The rooms north and east of the courtyard did not survive. Southwest of the courtyard is a rectangular tower (5.1×3.4 m). Stones from arches, capitals, pilasters, column fragments, and lintels, including one decorated with a Maltese cross, were surveyed. Next to the complex is the crushing stone of an oil press.1

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261. Kh. Rabi ʿa, general plan of the monastery.

See the survey: Hirschfeld 1985a: 82–84, no. 66. In his view, three building phases can be distinguished in the complex, but these are probably merely technical. See also: Hirschfeld 1990: 64, no. 58, Fig. 76; Tabula: 211.

1

262. Khirbet Umm el-ʿAmed (Kh. Umm el-ʿAmad; Umm el-ʿAmed) Ref. IOG: 17568 11372 Ref. ITM: 22568 61372 Ref. UTM: 71526 50004 The site is located 6 km southeast of the village of Tekoaʿ, and the spur on which the monastery is located is bounded by two streambeds that drain into Naḥal Tekoaʿ. Two approaches lead to the site: one from the direction of Tekoaʿ along the spur that is the watershed between Naḥal Tekoaʿ and Naḥal ʿAmos; and the other, from the direction of Herodion. The identification of the site is uncertain. Y. Hirschfeld

proposes identifying it with the monastery of Dionysius and Theodosius that is mentioned by Epiphanius, but notes that this might be a settlement and not a monastery.1 The site contains a basilica church, a tower, dwelling rooms, and courtyards bounded by a wall. The northern wall reaches a length of 85 m, and its outer face is of ashlars. Three courtyards are evident

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in the site area: the western courtyard, the eastern courtyard, and the church atrium; the dwelling rooms were built around the courtyards. A sophisticated drainage system that channeled water from the slopes and streambeds to built reservoirs and cisterns was revealed. The church (25×18 m) has a single entrance in the west. The prayer hall is divided into a nave and two aisles by two rows of columns. The hall floor was decorated with a colorful mosaic, evidenced by the colorful tesserae scattered over the entire area. Remains of an opus sectile floor were discovered in

the chancel area. The atrium, south of the church, and its surrounding rooms, together measure 25×21 m. South of the atrium, a window lintel ornamented with a cross was found. Corinthian capitals and tiles were found at the site.2 Hirschfeld 1985a: 13–14; 1990: 63–64, no. 57. For Epiphanius’ comments, see Wilkinson 1977: 119. See also Marcoff and Chitty 1929: 173; Tabula: 253. 2 See the surveys: SWP III: 379–380; Hirschfeld 1981: 40–41; 1985a: 86–90, no. 69.

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262. Kh. Umm el-ʿAmed, general plan of the site.

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263. Khirbet er-Rubeiʿa (Kh. er Robîah) Ref. IOG: 16629 11228 Ref. ITM: 21629 61228 Ref. UTM: 70590 49841 The site, located in the Wilderness of Tekoaʿ, ca. 2 km northeast of Si ʿir. It has been identified with the monastery of Romanus.1 The square structure (32.2×32.2 m) is built of ashlars and dressed stones. It is entered from the east by way of a tower, which opens onto a central courtyard with a cistern in the center. Residential rooms were built along the western and northern courtyard walls. A rectangular hall (14×7.2 m) adjoins the southern wall. Another room (5.3×4.2 m), attached to this hall in the north, was

possibly a chapel. At a later phase an additional wing (35.8×20 m) was added to the south of the original building; it comprises rooms and halls. Numerous architectural elements have been surveyed around the site, e.g., marble fragments, tesserae, and roofing tiles. The complex has been dated to the fifth to seventh centuries CE.2 See the surveys: SWP III: 360; Kochavi 1972: 52, no. 86. See also Tabula: 216–217. 2 Hirschfeld 1988–89a: 102–104. 1

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263.1. Kh. er-Rubeiʿa, general plan of the monastery.

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263.2. Kh. er-Rubeiʿa, view from the west.

264. Bir el-Waʿar Ref. IOG: 16998 11178 Ref. ITM: 21998 61178 Ref. UTM: 70960 49799 The site, located on the slopes of Wadi el-Jihar, consists of the remains of a monastery of the “laura” type, identified as the New Laura (Νέα Λαύρα; Life of Sabas 36, 123), founded at the outset of the sixth century CE.1 Its nucleus comprises a church and auxiliary structures around it. Although the church was in a rather poor state of preservation, an external apse can be reconstructed. South of the nave was a large atrium. In the vicinity of the apse were the remains of an opus sectile floor, fragments of marble, stones from an arch (the top of one had a painted decoration), a chancel screen post, and roofing tile fragments. Residential cells were attached to the church in the east at a later stage.

Additional residential structures with adjacent cisterns were built northeast of the church. West of the church were a large reservoir called Bir el-Waʿar, a tower, and two additional structures and installations. More than 40 uniformly built monastic cells were observed. Plots for cultivation were found northeast of the church and south of the large reservoir. At the western end of the laura were two additional buildings of substantial size.2 See also Di Segni 2005a: 170–172. See the survey, Hirschfeld 1985a: 99–105, no. 87. See also: Hirschfeld 1990: 36–38, no. 22; 1992: 15–16, 26–27; Tabula: 90; Patrich 1995: 107–110.

1 2

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265. Khirbet et-Tina (Kh. Tina) Ref. IOG: 17291 11152 Ref. ITM: 22291 61152 Ref. UTM: 71254 49779 The site is located on the slopes of the western bank of Wadi Bassas, ca. 4 km southeast of Tekoaʿ. It lies near the ancient road between Tekoaʿ and ʿEn Gedi. It has been identified as a coenobium monastery.1 The ashlar-built complex (ca. 35×16 m) was established on a surface of leveled earth around a courtyard paved with large stone slabs; in its middle was a cistern. North of the courtyard was a small church (13.3×8.1 m). It was entered from the south and divided by three columns into a prayer hall and a single aisle to its north. One column base was found in situ. At the hall’s eastern end was an internal apse (3.5 m in diameter) with a bema. In and around the church were fragments of columns, chancel posts, and roofing tiles. East of the

courtyard was a row of residential cells, and west of it was a cave with a structure (9.4×8.5 m) built over it. In the south of the monastery was a tower (11.3×8.2 m), divided into two wings; the northern one had a cistern. Its entrance was at the end of the corridor that led from the courtyard. Additional cells (3.3×2.2 m) were set between the courtyard and the tower. Numerous tesserae were scattered about the site.2 1 See the surveys: Corbo 1962; Hirschfeld 1985a: 94–96, no. 81. See also: Ovadiah and de Silva 1981: 234–235, no. 45; Hirschfeld 1990: 64, no. 59; 1992: 177–178; Tabula: 250. 2 Hirschfeld 1985a: 94–96, no. 81.

0

265. Kh. et-Tina, general plan of the monastery.

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266. Khirbet el-Quṣ eir—Sousakim (Kh. el-Quseir; Kh. el-Kuṣeir; Kh. el-Kuseir) Ref. IOG: 18020 10970 Ref. ITM: 23020 60970 Ref. UTM: 71986 49611 A hermitage and memorial site was founded in 538 CE by Cyriac and named Sousakim, as mentioned by Cyril, who placed it at the junction of the two streambeds that descend from the New Laura (in the vicinity of Tekoaʿ) and from the monastery of Chariton (Souka). Cyril also mentions that the monastery of Chariton was 90 stadia from Sousakim (Life of Cyriacus 10, 228; 15–16, 232; 20, 235).1 The site, which is identified with Kh. el-Quṣeir, is located between Naḥal Tekoaʿ (Wadi el-Quṣeir) and Naḥal ʿAmos (Wadi Muqataʿ el-Juss).2 The site was first surveyed by M. Marcoff and D.J. Chitty, who described a “small tower” with the remains of a dome. They identified it as part of a laura founded after the death of Cyriac.3 I. Blake, who later surveyed the site, argued that the tower was Cyriac’s hermit cell.4 Y. Hirschfeld conducted a survey and provided an extensive site description. He stated that the tower is a memorial chapel built in memory of Cyriac. He also described a hermit cave, a cistern, and remains of a Byzantine garden.5 See also: Vailhé 1900: 72, no. 122; Chitty 1966: 126–131; Di Segni 2005a: 243–244, 247–250. 2 Concerning the site identification, see: Marcoff and Chitty 1929: 175; Hirschfeld 1992: 218–222; Tabula: 235. For the surveys, see: SWP III: 387; Marcoff and Chitty 1929: 175–176; Blake 1969; Hirschfeld 1985a: 122–128, no. 123. 3 Marcoff and Chitty 1929: 175–176. 4 Blake 1969. 5 Hirschfeld 1984; 1985a: 122–128, no. 123; 1988b: 123–125; 1990: 69–70; 1993b: 305–306. 1

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266. Kh. el-Quṣeir—Sousakim, general plan of the site.

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267. Khirbet Muʿarrash Baʿra (Kh. Màrrash Bàrah) Ref. IOG: 14535 11141 Ref. ITM: 19535 61141 Ref. UTM: 68498 49712 The site is located on a hilltop ca. 6.5 km northwest of the village of Tarqumiyya.1 It spreads over an area of 10 dunams. In the middle is a complex, probably a monastery, and nearby are a number of winepresses, cisterns, and a columbarium cave. It includes a rectangular compound (70×30 m) with an entrance in its eastern wall. Adjoining its northern wall are two towers (each 10×10 m). Along the southern wall is a series of rooms. The western room contains the crushing stone of an oil press. South of the rooms was a surface of leveled bedrock (30×15 m); it was bounded by fieldstone walls, and at its eastern end were two rooms.

267.1. Kh. Muʿarrash Baʿra, stone lintel adorned with a cross.

East of the compound was a courtyard (15×10 m), bounded by dressed stones walls. The area of the site yielded various architectural elements: a marble column (ca. 0.40 m in diameter) and a stone lintel engraved with a cross. Tesserae were also observed around the site.2 This seems to be a fortress from the fourth century CE that is similar to fortresses that became monasteries in the Byzantine period. In the Early Islamic period an oil press was established. 1 2

SWP III: 375; Tabula: 189. The site was surveyed as part of Kh. Qassa (JSRF 5/17).

267.2. Kh. Muʿarrash Baʿra, column found at the site.

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268. Khirbet Beit ʿAlam (Beit ʾAlâm) Ref. IOG: 14488 10958 Ref. ITM: 19488 60958 Ref. UTM: 68455 49528 The site is located on a ridge ca. 3.5 km northwest of Idnaʾ and along the ancient road between Hebron and Beth Guvrin-Eleutheropolis.1 The Mandatory Archive (IAA Archive) attests to a large oblong structure, east–west in orientation, that is identified as a church. To its north was a cylindrical baptismal font (ca. 0.7 m in diameter; its walls were 0.2 m thick).2 A survey and a trial excavation undertaken in 2004 revealed a site extending over an area of ca. 45 dunams.3 Following antiquity robbery on a massive scale, numerous architectural elements were found scattered about the surface. In the north of the site was a cylindrical basin that corresponded to the description of the baptismal font mentioned above. South of the basin was the northern wall of an ashlar-

built structure, east–west in orientation. This wall was visible for a length of 12 m. North of the structure was a cistern, while to its east was the hewn opening of a cave, with a staircase leading to it. The pottery found at the site indicates that the settlement was occupied in two main phases: the Early Roman and Byzantine periods. See the surveys: Robinson and Smith 1841 II: 403; Guérin 1868–69 II: 365; SWP III: 321. 2 SRF 26. 3 The excavations were undertaken under the direction of I. Sharukh (ref. no. Judea and Samaria 1021), on behalf of the Staff Officer of Archaeology—Civil Administration of Judea and Samaria, but the findings have not yet been published. 1

268.1. Kh. Beit ʿAlam, view from the northeast.

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268.2. Kh. Beit ʿAlam, baptismal font found at the site.

269. Idnaʾ (Idhnah; Idnāʾ; Îdna; Idnā; Idna) Ref. IOG: 14778 10739 Ref. ITM: 19778 60739 Ref. UTM: 68749 49315 The site is located in the village of Idnaʾ, ca. 4 km southwest of Tarqumiyya, on the ancient road between Hebron and Beth Guvrin-Eleutheropolis. It has been identified with Iedna (Ἰεδνά), mentioned in Eusebius’ Onomasticon (On. 106:15).1 All the early remains in the village have been covered over by later construction.2 A stone lintel decorated with a Maltese cross in secondary use was discovered in one of the buildings.3

Concerning the site identification, see: Thomsen 1907: 70; Mader 1918: 119–120; Avi-Yonah 1976: 68; Tabula: 151. Abel and Reeg identify it with Asna of the Mishna (Abel 1933–38 II: 255; Reeg 1989: 68). But Abel believes that Asna is, in fact, Ἰεδνά, mentioned in Eusebius’ Onomasticon. 2 See the surveys: Robinson and Smith 1841 II: 425–427; Guérin 1868–69 II: 364–365; SWP III: 305, 330; Mader 1918: 119–120; Kochavi 1972: 56–57, nos. 113–114. See also Bagatti 2002b: 147. 3 Guérin 1868–69 II: 364; Mader 1918: 119.

1

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270. Tarqumiyya (Tarqūmiyyā; Tarqumiyeh; Terqûmiye; Terkûmieh; Terḳūmje) Ref. IOG: 15113 10917 Ref. ITM: 20113 60917 Ref. UTM: 69081 49500 A large village located northwest of Hebron, on the ancient road between Hebron and Beth GuvrinEleutheropolis. It has been identified with Tricomias

(Τριχωμιας) of the Roman and Byzantine periods, mentioned by Georgius of Cyprius (Georgius Cyprius 1024).1 All of its early remains are covered by later construction.2 Architectural elements apparently deriving from a church were found in secondary use, e.g.: a capital, a column, and two stone lintels decorated with Maltese crosses inside circles (one of the crosses had been defaced).3 Concerning the site identification, see: Thomsen 1907: 112; Abel 1933–38 II: 487–488; Avi-Yonah 1976: 102; Tabula: 251–252. 2 See the surveys: Guérin 1868–69 III: 345; SWP III: 310; Mader 1918: 118–119; Kochavi 1972: 54, no. 102. See also: Avi-Yonah 1984: 74, 113; Bagatti 2002b: 147. 3 SHJ 309/19/1. 1

270.1. Tarqumiyya, stone lintel adorned with a cross, in secondary use in later construction.

270.2. Tarqumiyya, capital found at the site.

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271. Khirbet eṭ-Ṭayyibe (Ch. eṭ-Ṭajjibe; Kh. Thayebeh; Et Taiyibeh) Ref. IOG: 15326 10725 Ref. ITM: 20326 60725 Ref. UTM: 69297 49312 The site is located in the area of the village of Tayyibe, ca. 3 km southeast of Tarqumiyya, on the ancient road between Hebron and Beth Guvrin-Eleutheropolis.1

The excavation in 1984 of a burial cave next to the village yielded oil lamps adorned with crosses,2 attesting to the presence of a Christian community in the Byzantine period. The old mosque of Nuweisira is built of ashlars, some with marginal drafting, in secondary use; it also incorporates a Corinthian capital3 and a cornice fragment,4 which conceivably came from a church. See the surveys: Guérin 1868–69 III: 352–353; SWP III: 379; Mader 1918: 118; Kochavi 1972: 57, no. 115. See also: Saarisalo 1931: 102; Abel 1933–38 II: 277, 294; Bagatti 2002b: 146; Tabula: 240. 2 The excavations were undertaken under the direction of A.A. Rajub, director of the Hebron office, on behalf of the Staff Officer of Archaeology—Civil Administration of Judea and Samaria. For the excavation report, see Peleg 2012b. 3 Mader 1918: 118, Taf. III:B. Bagatti (2002b: 146) dates the capital to the fifth century CE. 4 SRF 181. 1

271. Kh. eṭ-Ṭayyibe, capital found at the mosque of Nuweisira.

272. Khirbet es-Ṣ afa (Kh. es-Ṣ āfā; Kh. es-Safa; Kh. es Sufa) Ref. IOG: 15479 11040 Ref. ITM: 20479 61040 Ref. UTM: 69444 49630 The site is located on a low hill, ca. 2.5 km southeast of Beit Aula and ca. 5.2 km west of Ḥalḥul.1 It featured caves, cisterns, and winepresses, over an area of ca. 30 dunams. All the architectural remains were totally ruinous owing to intensive agricultural activity. Numerous ashlars in secondary use were observed in the later terraces. The fragment of a stone lintel adorned with a cross inside a circle was found.2 1 2

See the survey, SWP III: 368. JSRF 51/17.

272. Kh. es-Ṣ afa, stone lintel adorned with a cross.

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273. ʿEin edh-Dhirwe (ʿĒin edh-Dirwe; ʿĒn eḏ-Ḏirwe; ʿEin ed Dirwa; ʿAin eḍ-Ḍirwe; ʾAin edh Dhirweh; Aïn ed-Diroueh; ʿAin Dirwe) Ref. IOG: 15971 11042 Ref. ITM: 20971 61042 Ref. UTM: 69936 49642 The spring of ʿEin edh-Dhirwe and the small ruins next to it are located ca. 1 km northwest of Ḥalḥul and about 0.5 km south of Kh. Tubeiqa, on the ancient road between Hebron and Bethlehem. The spring has been identified with the spring of St. Philip, where the

Ethiopian eunuch was baptized (Acts 8:36). It was a pilgrimage venue mentioned by various travelers (Itinerarium Burdigalense 599, 1–2; Theodosius, Terrae Sanctae 5), and appears on the Madaba Map.1 Alternatively, it has been identified with the Byzantine

0

273. ʿEin edh-Dhirwe, general plan of the church.

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village of Beth Zur (Βεθσουρά). Beth Zur of the Iron Age and Persian and Hellenistic periods has been identified with Kh. Tubeiqa.2 In the spring’s vicinity are the remains of a church, burial caves, and quarries. Some 150 m west of the site is the fortress of Kh. Burj eṣ -Ṣ ur.3 A mosque and a khan known to the Palestinians as Qaṣ r Islaijin were built over the remains of the church, north of the spring. The church is basilical in plan (ca. 23×17 m), with an irregular atrium in front of it, apparently adapted to the road skirting the church. A channel conducted the spring waters to the atrium. The church’s prayer hall was divided into a nave (8 m wide) and two aisles (each 4.5 m wide) by two rows of six columns, the latter set 3 m apart, standing on stylobates. The church has an internal apse (6.3 m in diameter, 4.5 m deep). It is flanked

by two pastophoria (each 3.6×3.6 m) that open to the aisles. The structure’s walls are ca. 1.5 m thick.4 Several surveys observed mosaic floor segments amid the ruins.5 1 See also: Limor 1998: 37, 180, note 39; Avi-Yonah 1954: 67, no. 81. 2 Concerning the site identification, see: Thomsen 1907: 34; Abel 1933–38 II: 283; Wilkinson 1977: 153. Concerning the identification of Beth Zur with Kh. Tubeiqa, see: Avi-Yonah 1976: 42; Tabula: 87–88. 3 See the surveys: Robinson and Smith 1841 I: 320; 1857: 277–278; Guérin 1868–69 III: 288–295; SWP III: 320, 374; Schick 1886; Mader 1918: 10–34, Taf. I:A; Kochavi 1972: 54, nos. 97–98. See also: Ovadiah 1970: 53, no. 42; Bagatti 2002b: 69–70, Pl. 12. 4 Mader 1918: 10–34. 5 Schick 1886; Avi-Yohan 1933: 155, no. 68.

274. Ḥalḥul (Halhoul; Hŭlhŭl; Ḥalḥūl) Ref. IOG: 16049 10949 Ref. ITM: 21049 60949 Ref. UTM: 70016 49551 The site is located in the village of Ḥalḥul, ca. 6 km north of Hebron, near the ancient road between Hebron and Bethlehem. Halhul was mentioned as a biblical city in the territory of the Tribe of Judah (Josh. 15:58). The village is built over the ruins of the village of Alula (Άλοΰρος), mentioned by Josephus (Άλούρου, War 4:522) and by Hieronymus, in his translation of the Onomasticon (Hieronymus, On. 87:12).1 Most of the Byzantine site is buried under later construction.2 At the end of the nineteenth and beginning of the twentieth century, remains of an early church were observed that had been integrated into a building called ʿAked el-Kin, in the northeast of the village.

274. Ḥalḥul, mosaic floor segment.

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In its courtyard were four columns.3 One of its walls was built over a mosaic. A number of white tesserae in the northwestern corner, and the remains of a Greek inscription in black surrounded by a circle, apparently formed part of the floor. Inside the building, a mosaic segment (7.7×0.5 m) was discovered that comprised a carpet frame and traces of a circle decoration; it continued underneath the building’s wall.4 The church remains were totally destroyed in the 1980s, without having been

excavated or examined, and a mosque was built on the spot. Concerning the site identification, see: Thomsen 1907: 20; Abel 1933–38 II: 341; Avi-Yonah 1976: 28; Tabula: 61. 2 See the surveys: Robinson and Smith 1857: 280–281; Guérin 1868–69 III: 284–287; SWP III: 305, 329–330; Mader 1918: 35–38; Kochavi 1972: 55, no. 103. See also: Möller and Schmitt 1976: 12–13; Avi-Yonah 1984: 103. 3 SWP III: 329–330. 4 SRF 61; Avi-Yonah 1933: 159, no. 84. 1

275. Khirbet Iṣ ḥa (Kh. Iṣḥā; Kh. Is-hā; . Isḥāʿ) Ref. IOG: 15879 10870 Ref. ITM: 20879 60870 Ref. UTM: 69847 49468 The site is located in a village on a hilltop, ca. 1.9 km southwest of Ḥalḥul on the ancient road between Hebron and Bethlehem.1 It includes the remains of a monumental building. S. Saller, who surveyed it, believes it to be a synagogue, owing to his discovery of an oil lamp adorned with a menorah. It is oblong in plan and east–west in orientation, and its construction is most appropriate for a church. A portico was erected in its western section, and an entrance leads from it to a large hall that is divided into a nave and two aisles by two rows of columns.2 The hall yielded segments of a colorful mosaic decorated with a geometric pattern.3 In the village houses, there were fragments of columns, including one of marble, and 12 column bases in secondary use.4 They apparently originate in the above structure. A seal bearing a cross was also found. See the surveys: SWP III: 353; Saller 1953–54: 234, no. 55; Kochavi 1972: 55, no. 106. See also: Schwartz 1986: 94; Tabula: 155.

2 3 4

Saller 1953–54: 234, no. 55. SRF 70; Avi-Yonah 1934: 29, no. 212. SRF 70.

1

275. Kh. Iṣḥa, column bases strewn about the site.

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276. Khirbet Daḥ-daḥ (Kh. ed-Duḥduḥ) Ref. IOG: 15904 10738 Ref. ITM: 20904 60738 Ref. UTM: 69875 49337 The site is located inside the city of Hebron, 1.5 km south of Ramet el-ʿAmle. A number of church architectural elements in secondary use were observed in later construction. These include a marble chancel screen post, a stone lintel with a tabula ansata enclosing a Greek cross in a circle, and a monolithic limestone column.1 A tanner’s workshop was excavated at the site in 1989. A Greek inscription engraved on a stone

276.1. Kh. Daḥ-daḥ, stone lintel adorned with a tabula ansata enclosing a Greek cross in a circle, in secondary use.

indicates the workshop’s position. The four-line inscription, in a tabula ansata, is accompanied by a decorative cross. It bears the date, year 630, which is 527 CE, according to the calendar of Ascalon.2 SHJ 309/97/1. For the excavations, see Amit 1989–90a. See also SEG XXXIX: no. 1625.

1 2

276.3. Kh. Daḥ-daḥ, marble chancel screen post.

276.2. Kh. Daḥ-daḥ, column found at the site.

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277. Ramet el-ʿAmle (Rāmet el-ʿAmle; Râmet el-ʾAmleh; Ch. el-ʿAmle) Ref. IOG: 15880 10734 Ref. ITM: 20880 60734 Ref. UTM: 69851 49332 fragments of chancel screen panels with Maltese crosses in circles, many broken columns, and capitals. A nearby burial cave yielded three oil lamps adorned with crosses.2

The site is located on the northern outskirts of Hebron.1 All the remains are presently buried under later construction. In the north of the site a church ruins was surveyed. Its long wall was exposed for a length of ca. 10 m. Abundant tesserae were strewn about the structure. Nearby were numerous architectural elements, e.g.: stone lintels adorned with crosses,

0

See the surveys: SWP III: 377; Mader 1918: 103–109. See also: Ovadiah and de Silva 1984: 143, no. 41; Tabula: 212. 2 Mader 1918: 103–109, Taf. III:A.

1

10

277. Ramet el-ʿAmle, stone lintels adorned with crosses.

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278. Ramet el-Khalil (Rāmet el-Chalīl; Rāmet el-Khalīl; Ḥaram Râmet el-alîl; Ram el-Halil; Beit el Khŭlîl) Ref. IOG: 16057 10720 Ref. ITM: 21057 60720 Ref. UTM: 70028 49322 The site is located 3 km north of Hebron. It has been identified with: biblical Elonei Mamre, the dwelling place of Abraham, where he was visited by the three angels (Gen. 18:1–8); Terebinthus (Τερέβινθος), mentioned by Josephus (War 4:533); and Beth Ilanim or Butna, mentioned in rabbinical sources (JT ʿAbodah Zarah 1:4, 39d; Gen. Rabbah 47:10). The sacred precinct was erected by King Herod, and during the reign of Emperor Constantine (ca. 330 CE), a church dedicated to the Holy Trinity was built inside it (Itinerarium Burdigalense 596, 3–4). Eusebius mentions an idolatrous altar at the site (Vita Constantini III, 53). The site was a pilgrimage

venue for Christians, Jews, and pagans.1 Surveyed on numerous occasions, excavations were conducted there in the 1926–1928 and 1984–1986.2 The basilical church (20×16 m) was erected in the east of the Herodian compound (65×49 m). Three openings lead from the narthex (3.8 m wide) to the prayer hall, which has an internal apse (3.5 m deep, 6.3 m in diameter). The hall is divided into a nave and two aisles by two rows of three columns, set 3 m apart, on stylobates. Two small rooms (each 5.1×3.8 m) on the hall’s north and south are entered from the aisles. A three-line Greek inscription was engraved on two stones in the outer face of the apse wall, in the east

278.1. Ramet el-Khalil, view from the west.

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Herodian Period

0

Byzantine Period Islamic Period 278.2. Ramet el-Khalil, construction phases of the site.

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of the church.3 Two small courtyards were established to the north and south of the church. The remainder of the compound served as a courtyard in front of the church. A sacred oak stood in the southwestern corner of the compound, next to the well of Bir Ramet elKhalil.4 Another church-like structure was surveyed ca. 45 m east of the Herodian compound. It was rectangular (10 m wide and of unknown length) and constructed of ashlars. Its eastern end was buried under rubble. Possibly, a narthex (11.6 m wide) adjoined it in the west. Two winepresses and other structures were surveyed in the vicinity.5 Concerning the site identification, see: Thomsen 1907: 110–111; Abel 1933–38 II: 375–376; Avi-Yonah 1976: 99– 100; Reeg 1989: 39–40, 68, 80–81, 89–90, 414–415; Tabula: 177–178. 2 For the excavations, see: Mader 1957; Magen 1991; 2003; 2008f. See the surveys: Robinson and Smith 1841 I:

1

317–318; Guérin 1868–69 III: 278–284; Tristram 1882: 389; SWP III: 322–323; Mader 1918: 48–68, 77–83. See also: Ovadiah 1970: 131–133, no. 135; Wilkinson 1977: 173–174; Ovadiah and de Silva 1982: 153, no. 41; Avi-Yonah 1984: 170; Schwartz 1986: 116–118; Bagatti 2002b: 73–75, Pl. 13. 3 Dalman 1906; Bagatti 2002b: Pl. 13; SEG VIII: no. 241. The inscription dates to the sixth century CE. 4 Mader 1957: 99–111. In Mader’s opinion, an altar predating the church stood in the middle of the Herodian courtyard, influencing the church’s unusual plan. Bagatti (1968a: 165–167), however, claimed that no altar remains were uncovered in the excavations. 5 Guérin 1868–69 III: 278–281; SWP III: 322–323. Guérin and Conder believed this was a basilica church built by Constantine. A number of travelers noted the name of the ruins, el-Keniseh (Mader 1957: 96). Different dimensions (20×15 m) were provided by Meistermann (1923: 348), who situated the structure ca. 60 m from the Herodian compound. Mader (1957: 96–99), who examined the structure, saw no indication of an apse. He concluded that it was not a church, and that like other structures he observed in the area, it was later than the church from the time of Constantine.

279. Khirbet Zeita Ref. IOG: 16189 10748 Ref. ITM: 21189 60748 Ref. UTM: 70160 49353 The site is located 0.5 km south of Beit ʿAnun. It is relatively small, ca. 5 dunams in area. The survey recorded cisterns, caves (including burial caves), a winepress and an oil press. The site was severely damaged by agricultural activity. A capital was found; it was adorned on all four sides with Maltese crosses inside circles.1 1

JSRF 20/17. 279. Kh. Zeita, capital adorned with crosses.

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280. Beit ʿAnun (Kh. Beit ʿAnūn; Kh. Beit ʾAinȗn; Kh. Beit ʿAnȗn; Ch. Bēt ʿAinȗn; Ch. Bēt-ʿEnūn; Beit ʿAinoun; Bēt-ʿĒnūn; Beit-ʿEinūn) Ref. IOG: 16197 10795 Ref. ITM: 21197 60795 Ref. UTM: 70167 49400 The village is located on a hill in the valley of Beit ʿAnun, ca. 2.5 km southeast of Ḥalḥul, on the ancient road between Bethlehem and Tekoaʿ that passes east of Hebron. It has been identified with the biblical settlement of Beth Anoth (Josh. 15:59) and with the village of Bethennim (Βηθανίν), mentioned in Eusebius’ Onomasticon (On. 24:16; 94:20).1 The site is buried under later construction.2 A basilical church (22.5×12.6 m), was excavated northeast of the village in 1986. The prayer hall was divided into a nave and two aisles by two rows of five columns. Mosaic segments in the southern aisle and between the columns are decorated with geometric and floral designs. In the nave, only a mosaic segment of a wide band remains. It was decorated with swastika meanders and square panels bearing various motifs. The only well-preserved motif consists of a rare design of a fruit. An internal apse was installed in the east of the hall. Beneath the church was a rock-cut tomb; originating in the late Second Temple period, it was later used as a crypt. The church dates to the end of the sixth or beginning of the seventh century CE.3 Two large churches, one above the other, were excavated in 1993 and 1997 on the southeastern slope of Beit ʿAnun. Excavations revealed that the site was occupied by a late fourth century CE Roman tower. The churches were dated to the Byzantine period. The early one was founded at the beginning of the fifth century CE; the late one, founded in the sixth century CE, continued in use until the end of the Umayyad period. A Crusader structure was built over the churches.4 The early church complex comprised: a courtyard adjoined by a hall in the north; a narthex (15×2.8 m); and a prayer hall (25.7×16.7 m), divided into a nave and two aisles by two rows of columns resting on

0

3

m

280.1. Beit ʿAnun, general plan of the northern church.

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280.2. Beit ʿAnun, the southern aisle of the northern church, view from the west.

stylobates; it terminated in a single internal apse flanked by two pastophoria. The narthex and church hall were paved in colorful mosaics adorned with geometric and floral patterns. Five Greek inscriptions were embedded in the mosaic floors of the church complex. In the narthex, only a remnant of the frame survived.5 The late church had a similar overall plan and dimensions. The narthex was paved in colourful mosaics consisting of two panels of equal size, separated by an amphora. The nave mosaic consists of zoomorphic figures inside medallions of geometric pattern. It reveals signs of iconoclasm: the figures inside the medallions were replaced by floral decorations. The two aisles had mosaic carpets with floral decorations, enclosed in a frame. North of the narthex a square room (2.75×2.75 m) was added, paved in white mosaic with a Greek inscription in a tabula ansata. The prayer hall was adjoined in the north by a chapel (13.5×5.1 m). The chapel floor was paved in a colourful mosaic decorated with a grid of diamonds that consist of buds. There is a medallion at the center of the mosaic. In the Umayyad period the chapel floor was paved in a new mosaic with geometric designs.

280.3. Beit ʿAnun, the northern church, view from the west.

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0

5

m

280.4. Beit ʿAnun, general plan of the early church on the southeastern slope.

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0

280.5. Beit ʿAnun, general plan of the late church on the southeastern slope.

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In the 1920s, segments of white mosaic and vestiges of geometric designs in white, red, and black were found some 10 m south of the church.6 Concerning the site identification, see: Thomsen 1907: 38; Alt 1925: 20; Abel 1933–38 II: 267; Avi-Yonah 1976: 38; Tabula: 82. 2 See the surveys: Robinson and Smith 1857: 280; Guérin 1868–69 III: 151–152; SWP III: 311, 351; Mader 1918: 1

38–47; Abel and Barrois 1929: 580–583, Pl. XIX; Kochavi 1972: 56–58, nos. 110, 118. See also: Ovadiah 1970: 107, no. 101; Wilkinson 1977: 149, 151; Ovadiah and de Silva 1982: 148, no. 32; Avi-Yonah 1984: 170; Bagatti 2002b: 71–73. 3 For the excavation, see: Magen 1990; 2008g, especially pp. 124–126; 2012a. 4 For the excavation, see Magen 2012b. 5 Di Segni 2012b. 6 SRF 28; Avi-Yonah 1934: 26, no. 188.

280.6. Beit ʿAnun, churches on the southeastern slope, view from the southwest.

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280.7. Beit ʿAnun, nave mosaic floor of the early church. Note the upper late church mosaic.

280.8. Beit ʿAnun, chapel mosaic floor north of the late church.

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281. Khirbet Abu Rish (Kh. Abu Rîsheh; Kh. Abu Rished; Kh. Abū Rīsh) Ref. IOG: 16271 10789 Ref. ITM: 21271 60789 Ref. UTM: 70248 49393 The site is located ca. 0.5 km northeast of Beit ʿAnun.1 In 1990 and 1992 remains of a building were excavated, probably a monastery; based on the finds, the monastery was dated from the late fifth to early sixth century CE. The excavation revealed three building phases in the monastery complex, which comprised a main structure (19×9 m) and a paved courtyard surrounded by a wall in the south. In the middle of the structure was a chapel (10×4.6 m) with a bema in the east. Only a few segments of its mosaic floor survived. A crypt was found underneath the chapel floor. Cross-adorned capitals were observed

in the rooms to the chapel’s south and west.2 In the room west of the chapel was a mosaic floor consisting of white tesserae; a Greek inscription in its middle indicates that the site, sacred to Christians, was a pilgrimage venue.3 See the surveys: SWP III: 347; Kochavi 1972: 58, no. 119. See also: Ovadiah and de Silva 1981: 230, no. 35; Schwartz 1986: 118; Bagatti 2002b: 70. 2 For the excavations, see: Magen and Baruch 1997; 2012. See also Baruch 1998. 3 Tzaferis 1997. 1

281.1. Kh. Abu Rish, view from the northwest.

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0

5 m

Phase I Phase II Phase III 281.2. Kh. Abu Rish, construction phases of the site.

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281.3. Kh. Abu Rish, the chapel, view from the west.

281.4. Kh. Abu Rish, Greek inscription in the mosaic floor of the room west of the chapel.

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282. Khirbet ed-Duweir Ref. IOG: 16232 10911 Ref. ITM: 21232 60911 Ref. UTM: 70200 49516 The site is located ca. 2 km east of Ḥalḥul. In 1995 and 1996, excavations undertaken there revealed the remains of a coenobium monastery dating to the Byzantine period. The monastery was erected inside a fourth century CE Roman fortress. The complex (overall dimensions, ca. 50×30 m), was built around a central courtyard. West of the monastery a hewn winepress was discovered. The excavations produced evidence of a second-story chapel. In its vicinity were a few segments of mosaic, marble elements, and cross-decorated stones, some in secondary use. Also uncovered were a lintel adorned with a cross, and two stone chalices, one adorned with crosses.1 For the excavation, see Batz and Sharukh 2012b. See also Magen 2008c: 228.

1

0 0 0

282.1. Kh. ed-Duweir, stone lintel adorned with a cross, in secondary use.

10 m 10 m 10 m 10 10m m

Early Roman Period 0 0 Early Roman Period EarlyRoman RomanPeriod Period Late Early Roman Period Late Roman Period Early Roman Period Late Roman Period Byzantine Period Late Roman Period Byzantine Period Late Roman Period Byzantine Period Early Islamic Period Byzantine Period Early Islamic Period phases of the site. 282.2. Kh. ed-Duweir, Byzantineconstruction Period Early Islamic Period Early Islamic Period Early Islamic Period

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283. Qaṣ r Khalife (Oaṣr Khalīfe) Ref. IOG: 16420 10840 Ref. ITM: 21420 60840 Ref. UTM: 70389 49449 The site is located ca. 1 km south of the village of eshShiukh.1 Excavations undertaken in 1996 and 1997 revealed the remains of a Byzantine laura monastery.2 The complex (ca. 31×21 m), situated in a narrow valley in the midst of agricultural fields, is surrounded by a defensive wall, of fieldstones. The complex was erected in two main phases. The first phase includes separate units built, in part, over caves dating to the fourth and early fifth century CE. In the second phase a monastery surrounded by a defensive wall was erected. Its entrance is in the north. A winepress was established in the northwest of the monastery. The monastery is dated to the sixth and seventh centuries CE. One of the buildings (12.5×7.5 m), in the southeastern corner of the complex, has a hall (6.3×6.1 m) whose floor is paved in a white mosaic with a cross in the center. The mosaic belongs to the second building phase, when the hall was converted into a chapel. The mosaic exposed in a room adjoining the hall in the west is also adorned with a cross. Two rooms in the northeast of the complex apparently served as storerooms or monk cells. The monks also lived in caves at the site. In the center of the site is a tower (8×7.6 m); its entrance was protected by a rolling stone in the second phase. The complex was first erected as a Roman tower, and after a period of abandonment, was reoccupied as a monastery. See the survey, Kochavi 1972: 56, no. 112. See also: Hirschfeld 1979: 81; Tabula: 207. 2 For the excavation, see Magen 2012c. See also Magen 2008c: 220–222.

0

Fourth–Fifth Century CE

1

Sixth–Seventh Century CE 283.1. Qaṣr Khalife, construction phases of the site.

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283.2. Qaṣr Khalife, the chapel, view from the east.

283.3. Qaṣr Khalife, view from the north.

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284. Ḥorvat Qaṣ ra (Kh. el-Kŭsr; Kh. el-Qaṣr; Ḥ. Qaẓ ra) Ref. IOG: 14310 10534 Ref. ITM: 19310 60534 Ref. UTM: 68285 49101 The site is in the Judean Shephelah, on a hill northeast of Moshav Amazyah. The hill and its ridges were surveyed, revealing remains of a fortress and of a structure, a winepress, many hewn caves, including columbarium caves, subterranean hiding complexes, and burial caves.1 One of the burial caves, hewn in the southern slope of the hill, was excavated in 1984–1985. Two phases are evident in the cave: the first phase is dated to the Second Temple period, when it functioned as a tomb. The cave was entered through a rectangular antechamber that led to three rooms, two of them with kokhim (loculi). In a later phase the cave was turned into a chapel, which remained in use until the ninth century CE. A large courtyard was added in front of the cave, whose entrance was closed by a rolling stone. Two additional rooms were hewn, and changes made in the earlier rooms. Carved crosses and traces of soot attest to the continued use of at least some of the kokhim for burial in the Byzantine period, as well. The added rooms were used as chapels dedicated to St. Salome. One of the rooms, which faces east and served as the chancel; this is the continuation of the earlier room, from which it is separated by a hewn chancel screen. A semi-attached stone slab at the center of the apse functioned as an altar. The second room has a gable-shaped ceiling. The apsidal niche hewn in its eastern wall contains a cross carved in relief, and is flanked by two Maltese crosses. The chapels and

the cave’s other rooms contained carved crosses and inscriptions in Greek, Arabic, and Syriac, all written by Christians. Some of the inscriptions mention St. Salome, but most have not been deciphered. The cave contains many Byzantine and Early Islamic sherds, as well as animal bones, possibly brought as offerings.2 See the survey, Dagan 2006 I: 234–237, nos. 326, 329. See also Tabula: 208. 2 For the excavation, see: ESI 1982c; Kloner 1990. For the inscriptions, see Di Segni and Patrich 1990. 1

0

284. Ḥ. Qaṣra, general plan of the burial cave.

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285. Khirbet el-Firʿa (Kh. el-Firaʿa) Ref. IOG: 15127 10590 Ref. ITM: 20127 60590 Ref. UTM: 69101 49173 The site is located in a village on a hilltop overlooking Wadi el-Firʿa and ʿEin el-Firʿa, 4.7 km north of Dura.1 In the middle of the village are mosaic floor bedding remains and ashlars, apparently belonging to a church. There were also columns in secondary use integrated into later buildings in the village.2 A survey conducted in 2004 observed the ruins of several structures, caves, and graves from various periods.3 These included two buildings in the north of

the site. The southernmost was northwest–southeast in orientation. Its walls, extant to a height of one course, consisted of ashlars, some medium sized (0.6×0.5 m), and some very large (1.4×0.6 m). White and black tesserae were strewn about the building. Its pottery dates to the Roman and medieval periods. Only the western section of the northernmost building was extant; it was apparently east–west in orientation. The walls were constructed of two faces of medium-sized ashlars (0.6×0.5×0.3 m). In one of the walls, an opening with a doorpost was still in situ. Nearby were a number of columns. Strewn about the area were white tesserae and roofing tiles. The pottery dates to the Byzantine period. Numerous architectural elements were found scattered about the north of the site. These included an ashlar with a Maltese cross in a circle, columns, and column bases. See the survey, Kochavi 1972: 59, no. 132. See also: Ovadiah and de Silva 1984: 141, no. 33; Tabula: 125. 2 Kochavi 1972: 59, no. 132. 3 JSRF 60/17. 1

285.1. Kh. el-Firʿa, ashlar adorned with a cross.

285.2. Kh. el-Firʿa, column fragments strewn about the site.

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286. Khirbet en-Naṣ ara (Kh. el-Nûsârah; Kh. en-Naṣārā; Kh. en-Nassara; Kh. en-Nŭsâra; Rejum Sebzin; Rugium Sabzin) Ref. IOG: 15887 10635 Ref. ITM: 20887 60635 Ref. UTM: 69860 49233 The site is located at the northern approach to Hebron, on the slope of Wadi en-Naṣara, next to Bir en-Naṣara.1 Its name, in Arabic, means “the Christian village.”2 Ruins of a complex in the northwest of the site were surveyed and identified as a Byzantine monastery. The complex included a large ashlar-built structure (ca. 15×6 m), east–west in orientation, probably a church. To its east were the remains of another structure consisting of four vaulted rooms of similar dimensions. On the west of the site were the remains of a circumferential wall.3

For the trial excavation, see Damati 2001. See the surveys: Robinson and Smith 1841 I: 317; Guérin 1868–69 III: 277; SWP III: 360; Mader 1918: 109–117; Kochavi 1972: 58, no. 121. See also: Tabula: 193. This might be the village called Kafr Mariam, described in the seventeenth century as “Villa betae Mariae Virginis”—where the holy family paused on their way to Egypt. There is reason to believe that this tradition has its origins in the Byzantine period; see: Mader 1918: 109–117; Bagatti 2002b: 57–58. 2 A place by the name of “Nasara,” near Hebron, was mentioned in 985 CE by al-Muqaddasi. See also: Robinson and Smith 1841 I: 317; SRF 147. 3 SRF 147.

1

287. Khirbet ed-Deir Ref. IOG: 16170 10566 Ref. ITM: 21170 60566 Ref. UTM: 70145 49170 The site is located ca. 2 km northeast of Hebron, near the ancient road between Hebron and Beit ʿAnun-Bethennim. A salvage excavation at the site in 1992 revealed a complex that was identified as a fortress or fortified farmstead; it was founded in the Early Roman period and reoccupied in the Byzantine period—in the fifth century CE.1

A burial cave south of the site was excavated in 2000. Crosses were engraved in its facade and over one of its burial niches,2 indicating the site was inhabited by Christians in the Byzantine period. 1 2

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Baruch 1994; 1997a. Batz and Peleg 2002.

Corpus of Christian sites

288. Khirbet Firjas (Kh. Firjās) Ref. IOG: 14549 10422 Ref. ITM: 19549 60422 Ref. UTM: 68527 48994 The site is located on a hilltop ca. 4 km southwest of Idnaʾ.1 It was seriously damaged by intensive agricultural activity. In the middle of the site is a complex, perhaps a monastery, in the center of which is a structure, of ashlars, built around a large bellshaped cave. The cave contains a Greek inscription with crosses incised on either side.2 A survey conducted in 2004 revealed pits, 35 m north of the cave, dug by antiquity robbers; they revealed remains of the wall of a rectangular, ashlarbuilt structure, east–west in orientation. Evidence of another monumental building was observed ca. 50 m south of the cave. It had been totally destroyed by the construction of an agricultural terrace. Next to the terrace were numerous building

stones, including a large lintel, a column, and fragments of well-made stone doorposts. The pottery finds indicate that the settlement had two main occupation phases in the Late Roman and Byzantine periods.

288.1. Kh. Firjas, column fragment found at the site.

288.2. Kh. Firjas, capital adorned with a cross.

1 2

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289. Khirbet el-Muraq (Kh. el Murak; Kh. el-Merak; Kh. Morak) Ref. IOG: 14688 10401 Ref. ITM: 19688 60401 Ref. UTM: 68666 48975 The site is located in a village situated west of Hebron and ca. 4 km south of Idnaʾ.1 In one of its houses, the fragment of a marble chancel screen panel in secondary use was found; it was decorated with a cross and bore the remains of a Greek inscription.2 In the centre of the village, in the course the late 1960s and 1970s, the palace of Ḥilkiya from the Second Temple period was excavated. No remains of a church were found.3 It is doubtful that there was a church at the site and the fragment of the marble chancel screen was possibly brought to the site from elsewhere. See the surveys: Robinson and Smith 1841 III: 10; Guérin 1868–69 II: 344; SWP III: 360; Kochavi 1972: 60, no. 137. See also Tabula: 190. 2 Kochavi 1972: 60, no. 137. 3 For the excavations of the palace, see: ḤA 1970b; Damati 1977; 1978; 1982. 1

289.2. Kh. el-Muraq, palace of Ḥilkiya.

289.1. Kh. el-Muraq, architectural elements at the palace of Ḥilkiya.

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290. ʿEin el-Maʿamudieh (ʿAïn el-Maʿmoudiyeh; ʿAin Mamudieh) Ref. IOG: 15390 10442 Ref. ITM: 20390 60442 Ref. UTM: 69367 49030 of apse in its eastern wall.2 The cave contained a cistern that supplied water to the baptismal font. A rectangular pool was built next to the spring. The ruins of another structure were found some 40 m north of the spring. The chapel dates to the sixth century CE; in the excavator’s opinion, it was related to the activities of John the Baptist in the Judean Desert. Next to the chapel was a large stone lintel (3×1×0.6 m). It had a tabula ansata, in the center of which were a cross and the letters ΑΩ and ΙΕ-ΧΡ.

The site is located in Wadi el-Maʿamudieh, 1.5 km south of the village of Tappuah.1 In 1946 an ashlarbuilt chapel or baptismal chamber was excavated next to ʿEin el-Maʿamudieh; it conceivably belonged to a monastery. It was rectangular in plan (6.6×3.15 m) and its walls were 0.9 m thick. Its entrance was in the northern wall. The internal apse had a window, in front of which was a round baptismal font. The southern wall had an opening from which a tunnel (8.8 m long) led to a cave (3×2.1 m) with a kind

2 m

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290.1. ʿEin el-Maʿamudieh, general plan of the chapel.

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20

40

290.2. ʿEin el-Maʿamudieh, stone lintel adorned with a tabula ansata containing a Greek inscription and a cross.

290.3. ʿEin el-Maʿamudieh, the adorned lintel at the site.

290.4. ʿEin el-Maʿamudieh, the chapel apse, view from the west.

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On either side of the cross were circles containing four leaves. Below was a three-line Greek inscription that apparently referred to the monastery community and included a citation from Psalms (8:121). West of the chapel was a structure, partly hewn in the bedrock and roofed with a vault; it contained a cistern whose hewn mouth was cruciform.3 For the excavation, see Steve 1946: 565–575, Pls. VIII–XI. See the survey, Guérin 1868–69 III: 399. See also: Kopp 1946; Bagatti 2002b: 59–60; Tabula: 109. See also Kh. edDeir (site no. 291) in this volume. 2 Traces of color were visible on the apse plaster; see SRF 51. 3 Steve 1946: 571–572. 1

290.6. ʿEin el-Maʿamudieh, hewn cruciform cistern mouth.

290.5. ʿEin el-Maʿamudieh.

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291. Khirbet ed-Deir (ed-Deir) Ref. IOG: 15413 10437 Ref. ITM: 20413 60437 Ref. UTM: 69390 49026 The site is located at the edge of the hill in Wadi elMaʿamudieh, ca. 200 m from ʿEin el Maʿamudieh. A square structure (12.5×10.4 m) consisting of large ashlars (0.6×0.9×0.4 m), with 0.9 m-thick walls was excavated in 1946. It comprises two symmetrical wings separated by a 1.7 m-wide corridor, in which a white mosaic was exposed.1 A cistern was observed inside the structure. The latter’s entrance was closed by means of a rolling stone. The entrance had a stone lintel (2.12×0.75×0.6 m) with a cross in the middle; at the end of its arms were the letters alpha and omega and the abbreviated I(esous)S Ch(risto)S. In the excavator’s view, this structure was a fortress that guarded the chapel of ʿEin el-Maʿamudieh.2 The Mandatory Archive (IAA Archive) file concerning the site mentions that the remains of a wall surrounding the structure had been surveyed, and that white and colored tesserae were found strewn about the surface.3 For the excavation, see Steve 1946: 559–565, 574–575, Pls. VIII, XII. See the survey, Guérin 1868–69 III: 369. See also: Kopp 1946; Bagatti 2002b: 59–60; Tabula: 109. J. Schwartz notes another structure, perhaps a church, that was exposed about 1 km southwest of the site at ʿEin et-Taqa; see Schwartz 1986: 107, note 104. 2 Steve 1946: 559–565. 3 SRF 44.

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0

291.1. Kh. ed-Deir, stone lintel adorned with a cross.

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291.2. Kh. ed-Deir, general plan of the site.

291.3. Kh. ed-Deir, structure entrance closed by a rolling stone, view from the south.

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292. Khirbet Sarasir (Kh. Serâsîr; Daouirban; Kh. Sarāsir) Ref. IOG: 15670 10430 Ref. ITM: 20670 60430 Ref. UTM: 69647 49024 The site is located 1.4 km southwest of Kh. Ḥakura, near the ancient road leading south from Hebron.1 The Mandatory Archive (IAA Archive) contains a description of the remains of a structure that was identified as a church. They were discovered while preparing some land for agriculture. The church is called Keniset el-Sit Hilane—the “church of Lady Helena.” Its exact position is unclear. The structure, east–west in orientation, was built of small ashlars with marginal drafting. Two colonettes (probably chancel screen posts) and a column base were found

inside. One of the caves at the site contained two columns with capitals that apparently came from the structure.2 It was also reported that in Wadi el-Bassa, adjoining the site, the foundations of a structure paved with colorful mosaic were found.3 See the surveys: Guérin 1868–69 III: 261–267; SWP III: 361. 2 SRF 169. 3 SRF 169. 1

293. Khirbet Ḥakura (Kh. Ḥakūra) Ref. IOG: 15731 10492 Ref. ITM: 20731 60492 Ref. UTM: 69707 49087 The village is located ca. 4 km northwest of Hebron.1 A.E. Mader reports that a Byzantine church was dismantled there in 1908, and its stones, including 10 columns, were sold by the landowner as building material. The church was possibly located near the village’s old mosque.2

See the surveys: SWP III: 353; Mader 1918: 117–118. See also: Ovadiah and de Silva 1984: 142, no. 36; Bagatti 2002b: 60; Tabula: 138. 2 Mader 1918: 117–118.

1

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294. Tell Rumeida (er-Rumeidi; Rumeideh; Jebel el-Rumeideh; Gebel Rumede; Dschebel Rumēde; Tel Ḥevron; er-Rumeida) Ref. IOG: 15967 10360 Ref. ITM: 20967 60360 Ref. UTM: 69946 48960 The site was identified with biblical Hebron. It included a structure, thought to be a monastery.1 The structure was known as Deir el-Arbʿain.2 It is rectangular, with two courtyards in its south, the western of which had a hewn cistern in the middle. A number of columns were found inside the structure.3 A.E. Mader identified the remains of a church in the eastern courtyard, and believed that the structure’s southern wall was built over the church apse, even incorporating some of its stones. The cistern in the western courtyard was probably originally in the church atrium. In the west of the structure was a stone bearing a tabula ansata with a defaced cross.4 A survey conducted in 1999 revealed a limestone

decorated with a conch and a Maltese cross in a circle.5 It is doubtful, however, that there was a Byzantine church on the site, and these elements were apparently transported there later. Northeast of Deir el-Arbʿain, ruins of another structure (18.3×18.3 m) were surveyed; it has three vaults, and is known to the inhabitants of Hebron as el-Keniseh.6 Southwest of Deir el-Arbʿain, remains of a tower constructed of unusually large stones were found.7 1 For the excavations, see: Hammond 1965: 268; Eisenberg and Nagorski 2002. See the surveys: Guérin 1868–69 III: 240–245; SWP III: 327–328; Hanauer 1901; Mader 1918:

294.1. Tell Rumeida, southern wall of Deir el-Arbʿain, view from the southwest.

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144–152; Kochavi 1972: 61–62, no. 147; Batz 2002. See also: Ovadiah 1970: 69, no. 58; Bagatti 2002b: 79–80. 2 Deir el-Arbʿain was first mentioned in the sixteenth century (Mader 1918: 148). One of the structure’s rooms had been turned into the Mosque of Mashhad el-Arbʿain where, according to Islamic tradition, Jesse and Ruth are buried (SWP III: 327–328). Jewish tradition later added Caleb Son of Jephunneh, to the list (Mader 1918: 145). According to the tradition of the Arabs of Hebron, the place’s name is connected with the 40 (arbʿain) witnesses of the transaction between Abraham and Faran who were executed and interred here (Hanauer 1935: 29). By contrast, the Islamic tradition of the 40 saints and the Christian tradition of the 40 martyrs of Sebastiya are widespread in the Middle East, and are deeply rooted in both faiths (for a detailed discussion, see Mader 1918: 147–152). 3 SWP III: 327–328. 4 Mader 1918: 145. 5 Batz 2002. 6 SWP III: 327–328. The tomb of Sheikh es-Sakawati adjoins the ruins in the south. Today they are incorporated into the Mosque of es-Sakawati. The name “el-Keniseh” appears in 0 the Mandatory Archive (IAA Archive; SRF 162). 7 Hanauer 1901. 294.2. Tell Rumeida, general plan of Deir el-Arbʿain.

295. Hebron (Ḥevron; el Khalīl; el Khulîl; el Chalīl) Ref. IOG: 16054 10360 Ref. ITM: 21054 60360 Ref. UTM: 70033 48962 The site of ancient Hebron (Χεβρών), beginning with the Persian period, is located underneath the Qasba of the present-day city.1 During Herod’s reign the Cave of Machpelah sacred precinct (Ḥaram elKhalil) was established over the Iron Age caves, where, according to tradition, the Patriarchs were buried (Gen. 49: 30–31).2 In the Byzantine period, Antoninius of Placentia mentions a basilica in a place where Jews and Christians entered (Antonini Placentini Itinerarium 30).3 According to his description, this was some kind of a basilica structure, perhaps Joseph’s tomb, but not a church. At this stage there was no church in the complex, and the holy area was outside it.

295.1. Hebron, capital in secondary use.

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295.2. Hebron, chancel screen posts in secondary use in later construction.

The walls of the complex were penetrated only in the Islamic period.4 In the Crusader period, a church was erected here. Near the northeastern corner of the compound, a marble tablet with a six-line inscription in Greek was found; it lists the names of a number of individuals who entreated aid from the patriarch Abraham.5 The fragment of another inscription was located in the compound’s northeastern wall.6 The beginning of yet another Greek inscription7 and two letters in Nabatean 8 were discerned on the compound walls. Some of the Corinthian capitals in secondary use in the mosque in the Cave of Machpelah date to the Byzantine period.9 Other finds attest to the presence of a Christian populace in the Byzantine city or its vicinity. A.E. Mader found three hermulae (railing posts) in secondary use in a later structure near the sanctuary;

in his opinion they derive from the bema of the Byzantine church.10 In the city itself, a number of chancel screen posts from the church were observed in secondary use in later structures.11 Several finds whose origin is from Hebron in a later period, but whose place of discovery is unclear, include: plaster fragments with traces of inscriptions in red that include citations from the New Testament; and a plaque with an inscription of magical cast.12 Two tombstones with inscriptions were found in secondary use in a house in Hebron. One, from the grave of Abraham Harofeh, begins with a decorative cross.13 Concerning the identification of the city, see: Thomsen 1907: 115–116; Abel 1933–38 II: 345–347; Avi-Yonah 1976: 64; Tabula: 141. It has been suggested that the city of Diocletianopolis (Διοχλητιανουπολις), mentioned in the sources, is, in fact, Hebron; see: Clermont-Ganneau 1900: 201–202; Mader 1918: 139, note 3. 1

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See the surveys: Guérin 1868–69 III: 214–245; Tristram 1882: 384–386; SWP III: 333–346; Mader 1918: 120–144; Vincent, Mackay and Abel 1923; Yeivin 1976; 1995; Dayan 1976. See also: Mader 1918: 134; Wilkinson 1977: 159; Avi-Yonah 1984: 22, 36, 69, 170; Reeg 1989: 68, 243–244; Bagatti 2002b: 75–80; Magen 2008h. 3 See also: Limor 1998: 237. 4 Magen 2008h, especially pp. 67–74, 84–85. 5 Vincent, Mackay and Abel 1923: 160–161, Fig. 68. The inscription dates to the sixth century CE; SEG VIII: no. 240. Judging by their names, some of the suppliants are Arabs 2

(such as Abdallah) or Greeks. 6 SWP III: 340; Vincent, Mackay and Abel 1923: 31, Fig. 20. 7 Vincent, Mackay and Abel 1923: 31, Fig. 21. 8 Vincent, Mackay and Abel 1923: 32, Fig. 22. 9 Mader 1918: 126–127. 10 Mader 1918: 134. 11 SHJ 310/03/1. 12 Lifshitz 1970: 77–79. See also Bagatti 2002b: 77. 13 Jaussen, Savignac and Vincent 1905. These scholars date the inscription to 564 CE. The second inscription, which they also consider Christian, was not dated.

296. Bani Naʿim (Bani Nʾaim; Bani-Naïm; Banī Naʿīm; Kafar barîk; Kafr Berēk; Kefr Bareka) Ref. IOG: 16569 10269 Ref. ITM: 21569 60269 Ref. UTM: 70549 48881 The site is located on a mountainous ridge ca. 5 km east of Hebron; it has been identified with Caphar Baricha (Καπαρβαρίχα), in whose vicinity were the monastery founded by Euthymius and named after the village (Life of Euthymius 12, 22), and the monastery of Severianus (Life of Sabas 16, 99).1 The remains of the Byzantine site were largely buried under the later settlement.2 V. Guérin relates that according to local tradition, the village mosque of Nebi Lut, which includes Lot’s tomb and the courtyard surrounding it, was built over remains of a church.3 Ashlars in secondary use, some with marginal drafting, were found in the tomb. Part of the mosque courtyard’s northern wall appears to be ancient.4 A cross-adorned stone was embedded in the wall, and the mosque’s side entrance has a lintel decorated with circles.5 A lintel in secondary use, adorned with a cross in a circle between two rosettes, was observed above the mosque’s blocked entrance.6 In addition, houses in the village had building stones with crosses, a chancel screen post, and a rosetteadorned stone derived from a church.7

Concerning the site identification, see: Vailhé 1900: 69; Thomsen 1907: 79; Mader 1918: 157–165; Abel 1933–38 II: 288; Avi-Yonah 1976: 46; Tabula: 98. The monastery of Caphar Baricha was built in 423 CE by Euthymius, upon his arrival to the Wilderness of Ziph. For other sites also identified as the monastery of Euthymius, see this volume: Kh. Umm Ḥalasa (site no. 307), Kh. Umm Rukba (site no. 317), ʿEin el-Skhaniya (site no. 332), and Kh. el-Quneiṭira (site no. 335). The monastery of Severanus was built in ca. 515 CE by Severanus, who was Sabas’ disciple. It has been identified with Kh. ed-Deir. See: Marcoff and Chitty 1929: 178; Hirschfeld 1999: 156–157. See also: Di Segni 2005a: 150–151, note 69; Kh. ed-Deir (site no. 299) in this volume. 2 See the surveys: Robinson and Smith 1841 II: 187–190; Guérin 1868–69 III: 153–157; SWP III: 304, 325; Mader 1918: 157–166; Kochavi 1972: 62, no. 151. See also: Wilkinson 1977: 154; Ovadiah and de Silva 1984: 140, no. 28; Avi-Yonah 1984: 116; Schwartz 1986: 108; Hirschfeld 1990: 13–15, no. 5. 3 Guérin 1868–69 III: 153–157. 4 SRF 24. 5 Bagatti 2002b: 87–88. 6 Mader 1918: 158. This lintel was relocated later, but the cross had already been defaced; see: SRF 24; Kochavi 1972: 62, no. 151. 7 SHJ 310/52/1. See also Guérin 1868–69 III: 153. 1

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296.1. Bani Naʿim, ashlars, some with marginal drafting, incorporated in secondary use, in the north courtyard wall of the Nebi Lut mosque.

296.2. Bani Naʿim, lintel in secondary use at the mosque’s blocked entrance. The cross in the center of the lintel had been mutilated.

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297. Wadi el-Ḥammam Ref. IOG: 16725 10510 Ref. ITM: 21725 60510 Ref. UTM: 70701 49125 The site, identified as a coenobitic monastery, is located on the northern slopes of Wadi el-Ḥammam, ca. 2.5 km north of Bani Naʿim.1 It was built on two levels. The upper one comprises a number of structures surrounding a central courtyard paved in stone slabs. The lower level features a large hall with adjoining dwelling cells. The levels were linked by steps cut

into the bedrock. A survey of the area noted marble elements, a cross carved in limestone, a window screen or decorative church element, tesserae, and roof tile fragments. Hirschfeld 1990: 67, Figs. 80–82, no. 61. See also Tabula: 257.

1

0

297. Wadi el-Ḥammam, general plan of the monastery.

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298. el-Qaṣ rein Ref. IOG: 16760 10300 Ref. ITM: 21760 60300 Ref. UTM: 70740 48916 The site is a coenobitic monastery located in Wadi ʿAbdallah, ca. 2 km northeast of Bani Naʿim.1 Towers were erected on either side of the wadi and a rock-cut shelter was located near the complex. A stone with an engraved cross was found on the site.2 A second survey revealed remains on the wadi’s western bank. At the end of the ridge was a complex comprising a tower, halls, and residential cells, around an inner courtyard, in which a cistern had been hewn. The complex entrance was in the northwest.3 Some 300 m northwest of the monastery was a smaller complex, similarly built; it was connected with the monastery’s agrarian activities.4 See the survey, Hirschfeld 1990: 43–44, no. 27. See also Tabula: 256. Hirschfeld initially identified the site with the monastery of Severianus, but following excavations he conducted at Kh. ed-Deir, he re-identified the monastery with the latter; see Hirschfeld 1999: 156–157. See also Kh. edDeir (site no. 299) in this volume. 2 SRF 153. 3 Hirschfeld 1990: 43–44, Figs. 49–50. 4 Hirschfeld 1990: 44, Fig. 51. 1

0

6

m

298.2. El-Qaṣrein, general plan of the monastery.

298.1. El-Qaṣrein.

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299. Khirbet ed-Deir (ed-Deir) Ref. IOG: 17390 10383 Ref. ITM: 22390 60383 Ref. UTM: 71368 49012 The site is a coenobium monastery located on a spur on the southern bank of Naḥal ʿArugot and in a gorge, ca. 8 km east of Bani Naʿim. The complex, identified as the monastery of Severianus (Life of Sabas 16, 99),1 was excavated in 1981–1987.2 A paved path links its various sections, situated on three levels of the wadi. A natural cave (26 m wide, 13.3 m deep, and ca. 5 m high) serves as a church. It includes a prayer hall (11×9 m), whose rectangular apse is cut into the

bedrock. In the east of the church is a bema (7×5 m) bordered by a chancel screen set on a stylobate. The remnants of a table were found in the middle of the bema. South of the bema was a semicircular reliquary niche (0.6 m in diameter and 1.8 m deep), cut into the bedrock. Beneath the church was a hewn cistern. There were three rooms west of the prayer hall; to its east was another room that served as a baptistery (9×3.5 m). A crypt (2.8×2 m) was exposed west of the

0

299.1. Kh. ed-Deir, general plan of the monastery.

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299.2. Kh. ed-Deir, the baptistery, view from the east.

299.4. Kh. ed-Deir, architectural element adorned with a cross.

299.3. Kh. ed-Deir, Greek inscription in the mosaic floor in the burial chapel east of the church.

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church; a stone bench ran along its wall. East of the church was a chapel and adjoining it, a burial cave. Mosaics in various colors, inscriptions, architectural elements, and traces of frescoes were found at the site. The monastery dates from the end of the fifth to the beginning of the seventh century CE.3

Concerning the site identification, see: Marcoff and Chitty 1929: 178; Hirschfeld 1999: 156–157. See also Di Segni 2005a: 150. 2 For the excavation, see Hirschfeld 1999. See the surveys: SWP III: 327; Marcoff and Chitty 1929: 178. See also: Di Segni and Hirschfeld 1987; Hirschfeld 1990: 64, no. 60; 1992: 39–42, 124–128; 1993c; Tabula: 109; Patrich 1995: 161–162. 3 Hirschfeld 1999.

1

300. Beit ʿAwwa (Beit ʿAwwāʾ; Kh. Beit ʿAwwā; Beit Uwwa; Beit ʾAûwa) Ref. IOG: 14513 10181 Ref. ITM: 19513 60181 Ref. UTM: 68496 48752 Several sites are located in the large village of Beit ʿAwwa, 7.1 km west of Dura, on the ancient road between Dura-Adora and Beth Guvrin-Eleutheropolis.1 Two churches were discovered in the village; the central ashlar-built church (ca.12×8 m), known as el-Keniseh, was discovered on a slope in the south of the village. Adjoining the church was a cruciform baptismal font with four steps that descended to a rectangular basin (1.52×1.47×0.74 m). Two chancel screen posts and the drum of a column standing on its base were found next to the font. Capitals, bases, column fragments, and lintels adorned with Maltese crosses were scattered about the church area.2 Remains of an additional church were found on the northwest, on a hill. Another baptismal font was observed; it was round (1 m high and ca. 1.9 m in diameter), with a basin whose upper part was cruciform, its lower part, round3; it bore traces of a Greek inscription including the formula ύπέρ σωτηρίας, as well as other letters, which are unreadable.4 Another church, called Kh. es-Suwiti, was located in the north of the village; its description is found in the Mandatory Archive (IAA Archive). Only its foundations were preserved, and these are insufficient to reconstruct the church’s plan. Adjoining the church was a square baptismal font with a cruciform depression.5

300.1. Kh. Beit ʿAwwa, chancel screen post.

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A fragment of a marble slab (0.85×0.66 m) engraved with a cross and part of an inscription was found on the saddle of a ridge east of Kh. Beit ʿAwwa. According to the surveyor, this is part of the lintel of a Byzantine church.6 The numerous churches are testimony to the importance of the region during the Byzantine period. See the surveys: Robinson and Smith 1841 III: 10; SWP III: 321; Kochavi 1972: 62, no. 152; Dagan 2006 II: 152–153, no. 651; 159, no. 658; Bagatti 2002b: 147–148. See also: Ovadiah and de Silva 1984: 139, no. 27; Tabula: 76. 2 Dagan 2006 II: 159, no. 658; SRF 26; 127 (Kh. elMaḥami). For the baptismal font, see also: SWP III: 321; Bagatti 2002b: 147–148. 3 Kochavi 1972: 62, no. 152; Dagan 2006 II: 152–153, no. 651. 4 Bagatti 2002b: 148. 5 SRF 180 (Kh. es-Suweiṣ). 6 Dagan 2006 II: 123–124, no. 575. 1

300.3. Kh. Beit ʿAwwa, el-Keniseh church apse, view from the southwest.

0

300.2. Kh. Beit ʿAwwa, baptismal font near el-Keniseh.

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301. Dura (Dūra; Durā) Ref. IOG: 15259 10163 Ref. ITM: 20259 60163 Ref. UTM: 69242 48749 The village of Dura is located ca. 7.5 km south of Tarqumiyya. It has been identified with the Hellenistic city of Adora (Άδωρά / Άδωρεος; I Macc. 13:20; War 1:63, 160–170; Ant. 8:207, 257, 396).1 It was surveyed on a number of occasions.2 A stone lintel with a tabula ansata containing a cross in a circle, and fragments of a chancel screen panel were found in the village area.3 A stone lintel adorned with a Maltese cross in a circle was found in one of the houses.4 Concerning the site identification, see: Thomsen 1907: 16; Abel 1933–38 II: 239; Avi-Yonah 1976: 26; Tabula: 58. 2 See the surveys: Robinson and Smith 1841 III: 2–5; Guérin 1868–69 III: 353–355; Tristram 1882: 387; Mader 1918: 153–155; Kochavi 1972: 62–63, no. 154. See also: Avi-Yonah 1984: 114; Ovadiah and de Silva 1984: 132, no. 9; Bagatti 2002b: 81. 3 Mader 1918: 154. 4 SHJ 309/21/1.

1

301. Dura, stone lintel adorned with a cross, in secondary use in later construction.

302. Khirbet el-Ḥarayiq (Kh. el-Harayeh; Kh. el-Ḥarāyiq) Ref. IOG: 15768 10140 Ref. ITM: 20768 60140 Ref. UTM: 69751 48736 The site is located in a village, ca. 4 km southwest of Hebron.1 Column fragments, bases, lintels, and a capital decorated with a cross were found there in secondary use at the beginning of the twentieth century.2 A large, ashlar-built structure was observed in later surveys in the northwest of the village. It contained columns, several in situ, and can be identified as a church.3 1 2 3

See the survey, Guérin 1968–69 III: 258. SRF 63. JSRF 29/17.

302.1. Kh. el-Ḥarayiq, capital adorned with a cross.

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302.2. Kh. el-Ḥarayiq, ashlar-built structure with columns in situ.

303. es-Sikke (Sutĵa) Ref. IOG: 14471 09992 Ref. ITM: 19471 59992 Ref. UTM: 68457 48562 The site is located in a small village on a hillslope north of Wadi el-Ajala, ca. 2 km south of Beit ʿAwwa.1 The ancient remains were destroyed owing to agrarian activity and construction. In the 1920s, two marble table legs, deriving from a church, were found.2 See the survey, Kochavi 1972: 64, no. 164. SRF 177. See also SRF 49 (Dura); these objects were described as table legs. However, identical objects found at Petra were described as legs belonging to the ambo: Kanellopoulos and Schick 2001: 203–204.

1 2

303. es-Sikke, marble table legs.

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304. Khirbet Ṭawas (Kh. Tâûwâs; Kh. Tāwūs; Ch. Tauwās; Ch. Touach; Kh. Ṭawās) Ref. IOG: 14598 09925 Ref. ITM: 19598 59925 Ref. UTM: 68586 48498 The site is located in a village on a hill, ca. 2.5 km south of Beit ʿAwwa. It was built over Byzantine remains. On the south of the site are the ruins of a Byzantine church known as el-Keniseh.1 The church, excavated in 1999, is basilical in plan, and is built of ashlars with marginal drafting.2 The church (overall dimensions, 33.8×12.1 m) comprises an atrium, a prayer hall, and an external apse to the east. The atrium in front of the church was not excavated, and a sounding excavation did not reveal a narthex. The prayer hall (13.2×10.5 m), divided into a nave and two aisles, by two rows of columns on stylobates, has three entrances in the western wall. The main entrance to the prayer hall has a lintel adorned with a palm frond and a Maltese cross. In the nave are two mosaic carpets with geometric motifs and three Greek inscriptions.3 The northern aisle is paved in a white

mosaic carpet with a black frame; the southern aisle was probably also paved in a mosaic that was not preserved. Judging by the finds, the church dates to the late seventh century CE and continued to exist after the Arab conquest. After the earthquake of 749 CE, the building ceased to serve as a church. In the second half of the eighth century CE the site became a farm. See the surveys: Guérin 1868–69 II: 345; SWP III: 368 (confusion arose during the latter survey, as two sites bore the same name, Kh. Ṭawas North, ITM: 19984/61409. The church description belongs without doubt to the site presently under review); Mader 1918: 156–157; see also 108, Fig. 4:c; Kochavi 1972: 64–65, no. 165. See also: Ovadiah 1970: 126, no. 128; Ovadiah and de Silva 1982: 152–153, no. 39; Bagatti 2002b: 82; Tabula: 240. 2 For the excavation, see Peleg 2012c. 3 Di Segni 2012c. 1

304.1. Kh. Ṭawas, the church, view from the northwest.

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0

304.2. Kh. Ṭawas, general plan of the church.

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304.3. Kh. Ṭawas, the church chancel.

304.4. Kh. Ṭawas, Greek inscriptions in the nave mosaic floor.

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305. Kharase (Kh. Khorsa; Kh. Khursa; Kh. Khourza; Kh. Kourza; Ch. Chorsa) Ref. IOG: 15149 09901 Ref. ITM: 20149 59901 Ref. UTM: 69137 48485 The site is located in a village ca. 2.5 km south of Dura, near the ancient road between Hebron and Beth Guvrin-Eleutheropolis.1 The mosque of Sheikh Safan in the village, built of ashlars in secondary use, contains numerous building stones and other architectural elements deriving from a church. These include marble chancel screen posts decorated with vases and emanating interlacing grapevines, lintels with geometric motifs and crosses, fragments of capitals, columns, bases, and of a tabletop.2 See the surveys: Robinson and Smith 1841 III: 5; Guérin 1868–69 III: 356; SWP III: 357; Mader 1918: 155–156; Kochavi 1972: 65–66, no. 167. See also: Alt 1931a: 18, note 3; Abel 1933–38 II: 293; Bagatti 2002b: 81. 2 Kochavi 1972: 65–66, no. 167; SRF 124; SHJ 320/19/1. 1

305.2. Kharase, chancel screen post adorned with an amphora and vines.

305.1. Kharase.

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305.3. Kharase, chancel screen posts in secondary use at the mosque of Sheikh Safan.

306. Khirbet Qilkis (Kh. Qilqish; Kh. Kilkis; Kh. Kilkish) Ref. IOG: 15884 10022 Ref.: ITM: 20884 60022 Ref. UTM: 69870 48620 The site is located in a village on a hill, ca. 4 km south of Hebron.1 Column fragments and a capital were found in secondary use in the village mosque.2 In the 1960s Franciscan fathers purchased, from an antiquities trader, a large group of tombstones taken from a Roman cemetery.3 Coins dating to the fourth century CE and pottery fragments from the Late Roman period were found together with them. The tombstones were adorned with symbols, such as

crosses, or with figures, and with indecipherable inscriptions. The tombstones have been the focus of several academic studies connected with JudeoChristian sects.4 Some scholars already cast doubt on their authenticity at the time of their discovery.5 Today there is a general consensus among most scholars that they are forgeries, and they have been withdrawn from display in the Franciscan Museum in Jerusalem.

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See the surveys: Guérin 1868–69 III: 212; SWP III: 358; Bagatti 1960–61: 306–307. See also Bagatti 2002b: 88–89. 2 JSRF 118/17. 3 For a full account of the finds and the purchase of the tombstones and other items from the site, see: Bagatti 1964; Mancini 1970: 71–78. 4 Testa 1962: 95–114, Tavs. 9–15, 18–21, 34–35; Bagatti 1964. The Franciscan fathers identified this site, on the basis of these finds, as the cemetery of the Archontics sect, described in the Panarion of St. Epiphanius. A cave (5.7×4.5 m) with a facade of well-dressed stones in secondary use and niches hewn into the southern wall was surveyed near the field in which the items were found (Bagatti 1960–61: 306–307). In Bagatti’s opinion, the stones in the facade came from a nearby church. The Mandatory Archive (IAA Archive) contains a description of a cave with a built facade on the site, called Mugharet ed-Deir (SRF 154); it is conceivably the same cave. 5 See, for example, Le Dèaut 1966: 283, note 3. 1

306. Kh. Qilkis, capital in secondary use in the mosque.

307. Khirbet Umm Ḥalasa (Kh. Umm Halaseh) Ref. IOG: 16595 09951 Ref. ITM: 21595 59951 Ref. UTM: 70582 48564 The site is a coenobitic monastery located on a spur, 3.5 km south of Bani Naʿim.1 A survey discovered the remains of a quadrilateral complex (the length of its sides: 47.3 m; 44.4 m; 38.3 m; 37.8 m) built of ashlars and surrounded by a wall. Access was afforded by an opening in its southern wall, next to which was a rolling stone. A corridor with a hewn cistern underneath led to a central courtyard. Beneath the middle of the courtyard was a hewn cave which

probably contained an oil press. In the north of the courtyard was another cistern. In the east of the room in the northeastern corner of the complex were the remains of a curving wall, possibly the internal apse of a chapel. Fine tesserae in red, black, and white were found in the room. From the chapel, an opening led to another cave. Remains of further rooms adjoined the complex’s northern wall. In the northwestern corner was a square room (each 5.5 m) that apparently served

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as a guard tower. Fragments of marble vessels and tiles, as well as crude white tesserae, were strewn about the complex grounds. In the vicinity were a burial cave, a hewn winepress, and agricultural terraces. The complex was dated on the basis of its pottery from the second half of the sixth century to the beginning of the eighth century CE. Some scholars identify the site as the monastery in the Wilderness of Ziph, founded by Euthymius in the vicinity of Caphar Baricha, described by Cyril (Life of Euthymius 12, 22).2 It should be noted, however, that

other sites have also been identified as the monastery of Euthymius, e.g., Umm Rukba, ʿEin el-Skhaniya, and Kh. el-Quneiṭira.3 See the survey, SWP III: 371. See also Tal 1997: 285. Amit 1997. For Caphar Baricha, see Bani Naʿim (site no. 296) in this volume. 3 For the identification with the monastery of Euthymius, see the following sites in this volume: Kh. Umm Rukba (site no. 317), ʿEin el-Skhaniya (site no. 332), and Kh. el-Quneiṭira (site no. 335).

1

2

307. Kh. Umm Ḥalasa, rolling stone at the monastery entrance.

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308. Khirbet el-Qaṣ r Ref. IOG: 16786 10010 Ref. ITM: 21786 60010 Ref. UTM: 70772 48627 The site is located ca. 3 km southeast of Bani Naʿim.1 Excavations in 2000 uncovered a monastery (ca. 35×32 m); it is built adjacent to a tower and an adjoining stone glacis that date to the late fourth to early fifth century CE.2 The tower was incorporated into the monastery complex, and its entrance, in the east, was provided with a rolling stone. East of the tower was a complex consisting of rooms with an inner courtyard bounded by a wall adjacent to the tower glacis walls to the northeast and southeast. The entrance wing was south of the tower, while the service wing was to its north. The chapel, in the east of the complex, has a longitudinal prayer hall (11.5×5.5 m) with a raised chancel and an internal apse (7.4×4 m). The prayer hall was paved in a

mosaic that contained two panels. The western panel was adorned with floral motifs and zoomorphic figures. The eastern panel contained a scale pattern, with a bud in the center of each scale. The chapel

308.2. Kh. el-Qaṣr, lintel adorned with a tabula ansata and a cross.

308.1. Kh. el-Qaṣr, the tower and stone glacis, view from the east.

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was entered from a portico (7×3 m) that served as a sort of narthex. There was an additional chapel entrance in the northern wall. The portico was paved in white mosaic. A memorial inscription is set in a tabula ansata in the mosaic, facing the chapel entry. An additional inscription was engraved on the arch over the monastery entrance.3 The monastery was built in the mid-fifth century CE and abandoned in

the late seventh to early eighth century CE. An oil press was established in the Early Islamic period.4 See the surveys: ḤA 1971c; Hirschfeld and Kloner 1988–89. See also SHJ 310/52/1. 2 For the excavation, see Magen, Har-Even and Sharukh 2012. See also Magen 2008c: 229–232. 3 Di Segni 2012d. 4 Magen 2008e: 229. 1

Late Roman Period Byzantine Period Early Islamic Period

0

308.3. Kh. el-Qaṣr, construction phases of the site.

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308.4. Kh. el-Qaṣr, the chapel, view from the west.

309. Deir el-ʿAsal et-Taḥta (Deir el-ʿAsal; Deir el-ʾAsl; Ch. Dēr el-ʾAṣal; Deir el-ʿAsal esh-Shaamiya; Deir el-ʿAsal et-Taḥtā) Ref. IOG: 14454 09775 Ref. ITM: 19454 59775 Ref. UTM: 68445 48345 The site is located in a village, the northernmost of two bearing the same name (Deir el-ʿAsal). Both are situated on a spur that slopes towards Wadi el-Ajala, 3.5 km northeast of Beit Mirsim. The ancient remains were buried under later construction. Both villages were surveyed on numerous occasions, but some scholars did not distinguish them as two separate sites.1 This might account for the considerable discrepancies in the various descriptions of the ruins. The remains of a church were recorded, but it is unclear whether it was located in the northern or southern village.2 However, since no other survey noted such remains in the southern village, one can

assume that the description relates to the northern one. At the beginning of the twentieth century, an ashlarbuilt church in the northern village was observed. Its southern wall was 22 m long and some walls were extant to a height of three courses (1 m). It had a single apse (3 m deep, 4.2 m in diameter) with a niche, the latter possibly for a reliquary, as well as traces of a mosaic floor. There were column drums and bases inside the structure, and an Ionic capital outside.3 The Mandatory Archive (IAA Archive) contains the description of a ruinous triapsidal church. To its northeast was a large lintel, and outside the structure, a Corinthian capital.4

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The substantial differences and contradictions between these accounts imply that more than one structure is involved. The reporting of diverse architectural elements also suggests that the site had more than one church. A further survey noted an ashlar fragment with a tabula ansata in secondary use in a village house, as well as a column and base lying in the village area.5

See the surveys: Robinson and Smith 1841 III: 6; Guérin 1868–69 II: 346; SWP III: 328; Petrie 1891: 54; Kochavi 1972: 69, nos. 180–182. See also: Abel 1933–38 II: 272; AviYonah 1933: 151, no. 49; Ovadiah 1970: 47, no. 33; Bagatti 2002b: 82–83; Tabula: 110. 2 SWP III: 328. 3 Mader 1918: 157. 4 SRF 45. 5 JSRF 56/19. 1

309. Deir el-ʿAsal et-Taḥta, northern church apse, view from the northeast.

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310. Khirbet Bism (Kh. Bezem) Ref. IOG: 15320 09670 Ref. ITM: 20320 59670 Ref. UTM: 69313 48257 The site is located at the end of a spur overlooking ʿEin el-Hafayir, ca. 2.5 km southeast of Kharase.1 In the southeast of the site were remains of a church. It comprised a prayer hall (ca. 16.5×7.5 m) ending in a single external apse and fronted by an atrium.2 Early surveys observed architectural elements from the church, next to it, e.g., columns and bases,3 Byzantine capitals, and a lintel adorned with a rosette. North of the church were ruins of another large structure with a rolling stone.4

SRF 39. The surveyors describe this stone as the crushing stone of an oil press, but its photograph in the site file reveals it to be the rolling stone of an entrance.

4

See the surveys: Guérin 1868–69 III: 371; SWP III: 352; Mader 1918: 208; Kochavi 1972: 71, nos. 192–193. See also: Ovadiah 1970: 107, no. 102; Bagatti 2002b: 91; Tabula: 91. 2 JSRF 59/19. 3 Guérin 1868–69 III: 371; Mader 1918: 208. 1

0

310.1. Kh. Bism, lintel adorned with a rosette.

6

m

310.2. Kh. Bism, general plan of the church.

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310.3. Kh. Bism, column fragments strewn about the site.

310.4. Kh. Bism, rolling stone found in the structure north of the church.

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311. Khirbet Deir Raziḥ (Kh. Deir Râzi; Kh. Deir Rāziḥ; Kh. Deir Rhaza) Ref. IOG: 15399 09714 Ref. ITM: 20399 59714 Ref. UTM: 69391 48303 The site is located in a village on a hilltop ca. 1 km west of Kh. el-Jawf.1 Surveys noted numerous ashlars, some with marginal drafting, in secondary use in the village houses, as well as a fragmentary column east of the village.2 Another survey noted a lintel bearing cross decoration on one side and

a rosette on the other; it probably originated in a church.3 See the surveys: Guérin 1868–69 III: 209–210, 371; SWP III: 353; Kochavi 1972: 70, no. 187. 2 SRF 46. 3 SHJ 320/42/1. 1

312. Khirbet el-Jawf (Kh. el-Jauf; Kh. el-Jôf; Kh. ed-Jof; Kh. edj-Jof; Kh. el-Djouf; Ch. Ed-Dschōf) Ref. IOG: 15519 09730 Ref. ITM: 20519 59730 Ref. UTM: 69510 48321 The site is located on a hill on the western bank of Wadi el-Fawar, ca. 3 km northwest of Yaṭṭa.1 On the summit are the remains of a basilical church (ca. 20×18 m); it is constructed of ashlars and fronted by

an atrium and a narthex (together ca. 18×15 m).2 The prayer hall ends in an internal apse that was apparently flanked by two pastophoria.3 Various surveys observed architectural elements in

312.1. Kh. el-Jawf, capital adorned with a cross.

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the structure’s vicinity that derive from the church, e.g.: a lintel decorated with three crosses inside circles,4 seven fragments of columns and eight of colonnettes, bases, cross-decorated capitals,5 and chancel screen panel fragments.6 See the surveys: Guérin 1868–69 III: 209; SWP III: 354–355; Mader 1918: 208; Kochavi 1972: 70, no. 188. See also: Ovadiah 1970: 109, no. 106; Bagatti 2002b: 91; Tabula: 158. Concerning rock-cut tombs at the site that were dated to the end of the first century CE or the beginning of the second, see Magen 2008i: 153–158. 2 Mader 1918: 208. 3 JSRF 58/19. 4 Guérin 1868–69 III: 209. 5 Mader 1918: 208. In Mader’s opinion, the colonnettes belong to a gallery built over the aisles of the prayer hall. 6 JSRF 58/19. 1

0

6

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312.3. Kh. el-Jawf, general plan of the church. 0

312.2. Kh. el-Jawf, the church apse, view from the southeast.

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313. er-Riḥiya (er-Rahiyeh; Ch. er-Raḥīje; er-Riḥīya) Ref. IOG: 15749 09730 Ref. ITM: 20749 59730 Ref. UTM: 69740 48326 The site is located in a village on the slopes of a hill, 2.2 km north of Yaṭṭa, and near the ancient road between Hebron and Beth Guvrin-Eleutheropolis.1 Numerous marble architectural elements that apparently derived from a Byzantine church were observed in secondary use in the village mosque and strewn about the site. These included fragmentary columns and piers, bases, fragments of a chancel screen panel adorned with geometric motifs in relief, chancel screen posts, and other objects bearing a tabula ansata and a cross decoration.2 Later surveys noted other architectural elements in secondary use in the village houses. These include columns and capitals, ashlars with marginal drafting and decoration in relief, broken ashlars bearing part of a tabula ansata and medallions,3 as well as a stone decorated with a cross in relief. B. Bagatti argues that these elements originated in the site of Rujm ed-Deir (ITM: 20760/59590), 1 km south of er-Riḥiya.4 However, the site was surveyed on a number of occasions, and the finds indicate it was a fortress guarding the roads; none of the finds suggest the existence of a church.5 See the surveys: SWP III: 377; Mader 1918: 209. See also Tabula: 217 (Rujm ed Deir); Bagatti 2002b: 91. 2 Mader 1918: 209, Taf. IV:C. 3 JSRF 28/19. 4 Bagatti 2002b: 91. 5 See the surveys: SWP III: 378; Mader 1918: 209; Kochavi 1972: 71–72, no. 199 (Rujm ed Deir); Amit 1989–90b (Rujm ed Deir).

1

313. Er-Riḥiya, column and capital in secondary use in later structure.

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314. Tell Zif (Tell ez-Zîf; Tall Zīf; Tell Zīf) Ref. IOG: 16283 09818 Ref. ITM: 21283 59818 Ref. UTM: 70273 48425 The site is located on a tell 5.5 km southeast of Hebron, on the ancient road junction of Hebron, Bani NaʿimCaphar Baricha, and Kh. el-Karmil-Chermela. The tell has been identified with the biblical city of Ziph (Josh. 15:55; II Chron. 11:8), and with the Byzantine village (Ζίφ) mentioned in Eusebius’ Onomasticon (On. 92:19) and by Cyril (Life of Euthymius 12, 22–23).1 It has been surveyed on numerous occasions,2 and nearby burial caves from the Roman period have been excavated.3 On the tell’s western slopes, beyond the limits or on the edges of the Byzantine settlement, were the remains of a compound (ca. 30×24 m) supported by a bedrock terrace. In its northeastern corner were the ruins of a church, including an apse (3.7 m in diameter). North of the apse was a cave (ca. 15 sq. m) that served as the church crypt. An arch stone decorated with a Maltese cross was discovered in the

cave opening. Tesserae, some colored, were strewn about the compound’s grounds.4 Elsewhere around the site were plentiful tesserae and marble fragments.5 Concerning the site identification, see: Thomsen 1907: 64; Abel 1933–38 II: 490; Avi-Yonah 1976: 104; Tabula: 262. In the latter two, no distinction was drawn between Tell Zif and nearby Kh. Zif (Kh. Abu el-Ḥammam). See also Di Segni 2005a: 88. 2 See the surveys: Robinson and Smith 1841 II: 191; Guérin 1868–69 III: 159–162; Palmer 1871: 41; Tristram 1882: 380; SWP III: 315, 379; Mader 1918: 168–176; Alt 1926: 77–78; Kochavi 1972: 68, no. 178; Baruch 1999: 171–177. See also: Avi-Yonah 1984: 115; Schwartz 1986: 104–105; Reeg 1989: 242; Safrai 1994: 31–32. 3 For the excavation, see Baruch 1997b. 4 Baruch 1999: 171–177. 5 Bagatti 2002b: 89–90.

1

315. Khibet Istabul (Ch. Iṣṭabūl; Kh. Estaboul; Kh. Isṭabūl) Ref. IOG: 16335 09715 Ref. ITM: 21335 59715 Ref. UTM: 70327 48323 The site is located on the southern and western slopes of a hill ca. 7 km south of Hebron, on the ancient road leading southwards from Hebron. It has been identified as the village of Aristobulias (Άρίστoβουλιάς), which, according to Cyril (Life of Euthymius 12, 22–23), was occupied by a Manichaean community that adopted Christianity as a result of Euthymius’ activity in the Wilderness of Ziph.1 The site was surveyed on numerous occasions, and a basilica church was observed there.2

A basilica church (22.5×17.8 m) on a hilltop in the northeast of the site was excavated in 2000. The narthex was paved in crude white mosaic and had two entrances, in the west and south. From the narthex, three entrances led into the prayer hall (17.3×11 m). The doorposts of the main entrance were fashioned as narrow semicolumns in relief, resting on dressed pilasters. The prayer hall was divided into a nave (4.6 m wide) and two aisles (each 2.4 m wide) by two rows of three columns (ca. 3.3 m apart) and two square

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0

315.1. Kh. Istabul, general plan of the church.

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pilasters. The nave mosaic floor was decorated with geometric and floral motifs; and its Greek inscription, framed in a tabula ansata, dates the church to 701 CE. The monastery was under the administrative jurisdiction of the bishop of Beth Guvrin. The aisle mosaics were composed of geometric patterns. Two stairs ascended from the nave to the bema. A hewn chancel screen channel was discerned, as well as square sockets for the chancel screen posts. The bema was paved with a mosaic, only traces of which remained. The internal apse (2.3 m deep, 3.7 m in diameter) was flanked by two pastophoria. A row of three rooms was attached to the hall in the south. The central room was paved in a mosaic carpet decorated with rows of buds. The church dated to the early eighth century CE, after the Arab conquest. In the ninth century CE internal changes were made in the structure, which had ceased to function as a church.3

Various architectural elements were observed in and around the church, e.g.: cornice fragments,4 column capitals, and a pilaster capital adorned with an amphora.5 Another survey observed a cross-adorned stone in secondary use in a later building; the cross had four knobs between its arms.6 Concerning the site identification, see: Séjourné 1895: 258–259; Thomsen 1907: 26; Avi-Yonah 1976: 31; Tabula: 67. See also Di Segni 2005a: 88. 2 See the surveys: Guérin 1868–69 III: 162–163; SWP III: 354; Mader 1918: 168–176; Schneider 1938: 99–102; Kochavi 1972: 70, no. 190. See also: Ovadiah 1970: 105–106, no. 99; Wilkinson 1977: 159–160; Avi-Yonah 1984: 115; Baruch 1999: 177; Bagatti 2002b: 90. 3 For the excavation, see Peleg and Batz 2012. For the inscription, see Di Segni 2012e. 4 Mader 1918: 174–176. 5 SRF 72. 6 SHJ 321/37/1. 1

315.2. Kh. Istabul, the church, view from the west.

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315.3. Kh. Istabul, main entrance to the prayer hall.

315.4. Kh. Istabul, Greek inscription in the nave mosaic floor.

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316. Khirbet ʿEin Abu Khashabah (Kh. ʿEin Abū Khashabah) Ref. IOG: 16427 09751 Ref. ITM: 21427 59751 Ref. UTM: 70418 48360 The site is located on the slopes of a hill 1 km northeast of Kh. Istabul, on the ancient road leading to Kh. Zif and Kh. Istabul-Aristobulias. A complex of structures surrounded by a defensive wall was surveyed. In the west of the complex was a tower (ca. 10×5 m), next to which was a massive structure consisting of welldressed stones. Nearby was a stone with a Maltese cross. A cistern and several caves were observed in the area.1 1

316. Kh. ʿEin Abu Khashabah, cave entrance at the site.

JSRF 15/20.

317. Khirbet Umm Rukba (ʾAin Umm Rukbeh) Ref. IOG: 16519 09805 Ref. ITM: 21519 59805 Ref. UTM: 70509 48416 This site, identified as a coenobitic monastery, is located on a spur 1.6 km northeast of Kh. Istabul.1 A tower and a large winepress were surveyed on the slopes. The monastery wall continues eastwards from the tower; at its end is a winepress. In the press’s collecting pit, a cross was engraved in the plaster.2 Another survey observed the remains of a long rectangular structure (25×10 m) in the middle of the site. In the structure’s center was a cave whose entrance was built of ashlars; it was possibly a crypt. It was originally a natural cave that had been enlarged, and it featured an additional hewn opening, modeled like those of burial caves. A pool was hewn in the cave’s north. There was a hewn niche in the south of the cave, below which was a stone engraved with a cross. An oil press was installed in the cave at a later

stage. At the base of the slope was a spring adjoined by a reservoir roofed by a vault.3 Architectural elements are strewn across the site: e.g., a large lintel adorned with three crosses inside circles,4 cross-adorned building stones, and fragments of columns.5 It has been suggested that this monastery can be identified with that founded by Euthymius in the Wilderness of Ziph in the vicinity of Caphar Baricha (Life of Euthymius 12, 22).6 Other monasteries have also been proposed for this identification.7 See the surveys: SWP III: 320–321; Hirschfeld 1985b: 243–244. See also: Hirschfeld 1990: 13–15, no. 5; 1992: 69, 108–109. 2 Hirschfeld 1985b: 243–244. 1

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3 4 5 6

JSRF 82/17. SWP III: 320–321. JSRF 82/17. Hirschfeld 1985b: 253, note 7. See also Di Segni 2005a: 88.

For the identification with the monastery of Euthymius, see the following sites in this volume: Kh. Umm Ḥalasa (site no. 307), ʿEin el-Skhaniya (site no. 332), and Kh. el-Quneiṭira (site no. 335).

7

0

317.1. Kh. Umm Rukba, general plan of the site.

317.2. Kh. Umm Rukba, ashlar-built structure.

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318. Khirbet Samrah Ref. IOG: 18420 09700 Ref. ITM: 23420 59700 Ref. UTM: 72412 48349

The site is located on a ridge north of Naḥal ʿArugot. It was surveyed, and the trial excavation conducted there revealed a compound containing 12 dwelling cells whose walls are preserved to a height of 2 m. Nearby are various installations used for cooking and storage, along with sherds and oil lamps dated to the

fifth and sixth centuries CE. Y. Hirschfeld doubts the identification of the site as a monastery, since a chapel was not discovered.1 See the survey, Kochavi 1972: 144–145, no. 208. See also Hirschfeld 1987: 68, no. 82.

1

0

318. Kh. Samrah, general plan of the site.

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319. Khirbet Abu Sihwaile (Kh. Abū Sihwaile; Kh. Abu Suhweila) Ref. IOG: 14208 09589 Ref. ITM: 19208 59589 Ref. UTM: 68202 48154 The site is located ca. 0.5 km north of Kh. Beit Mirsim, and an ancient road links the two sites.1 A complex comprising several structures was found. One contained a column and two chancel screen posts.2 Kh. Abu Sihwaile is possibly the site north of Kh. Beit Mirsim that appears in the Survey of Western Palestine. A ruined chapel with columns is mentioned in the description of the latter.3 Another survey discovered an ashlar-built compound, in the middle of which was a courtyard. The entrance, provided with a large rolling stone, was in the south. A row of rooms were built along the compound’s western wall. A fragment of a column in secondary use as a roller was found in the compound. Three crushing stones from an oil press were found, some inside the compound. Several caves were found near the compound.4 1 2 3 4

Tal 1997: 281–282. SRF 4. SWP III: 279. JSRF 18/19; partially published in: Tal (1997: 281–282).

319. Kh. Abu Sihwaile, chancel screen post base found at the site.

320. Beit Mirsim (Kh. Beit Mirsim) Ref. IOG: 14183 09560 Ref. ITM: 19183 59560 Ref. UTM: 68178 48124 The site is located in the village of Beit Mirsim, on the western slopes of the Hebron Hills. Remains of a Byzantine settlement were previously observed on the hill now occupied by the village.1 North of the settlement, at the foot of the hill, was

Maqam en-Nebi Handal (esh-Sheikh Handhal). At the beginning of the 1920s, surveyors believed that the maqam was built over the foundations of an ancient church. Inside the structure were a number of columns2; outside were additional broken columns

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6

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m

6

m of the late phase of the 320.1. Kh. Beit Mirsim, general plan church remains.

and the fragment of a chancel screen post, presumably deriving from a church.3 Another survey carried out at the surmised site of the maqam yielded column fragments and numerous tesserae.4 In 2004 a salvage excavation conducted at the northern foot of the hill revealed a basilica church. The east and west of the church were destroyed due to later activity. Remains of the narthex western

wall with the church entrance, and of the foundation of the eastern wall, were preserved. Segments of a mosaic also came to light. The excavators surmise that there were three entrances to the narthex, with the atrium to the west. Remains were preserved of the northern and southern walls of the prayer hall, and of sections of the stylobates that divided the hall into a nave and aisles. Two columns, a column fragment, and a capital were found in situ on the southern stylobate. The nave floor mosaic, partially preserved, is decorated with lotus flowers, medallions of vine scrolls with animal depictions, and an open vessel. The aisle mosaics, also partially preserved, were decorated with geometric patterns. The staircase next to the southern wall led to a crypt roofed by a barrel vault. In the second phase of the church a rounded wall was installed that cut the southern church wall. Two parts of baptismal fonts were discovered nearby, in a later wall. The excavators consider this area to be the church baptistery. Repairs belonging to the second phase of the church are evident in the aisle mosaics. Chancel screen fragments, parts of a baptismal font, and column remains were found in the vicinity of the church, as were winepresses.5 See the surveys: Robinson and Smith 1841 III: 6; Guérin 1868–69 II: 349; SWP III: 279; Kochavi 1972: 71, no. 195. See also: Bagatti 2002b: 83; Tabula: 77. 2 SRF 32 (Beit Mirsim). 3 SRF 175 (esh-Sheikh Handhal). 4 JSRF 18/19 (Kh. Abu Sihwaile). 5 Ein Gedy and Golan 2007.

1

320.2. Kh. Beit Mirsim, columns strewn about the site.

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321. el-Bira (Kh. el-Bire; Kh. el-Bīra; Kh. el-Bireh) Ref. IOG: 14309 09374 Ref. ITM: 19309 59374 Ref. UTM: 68308 47941 The site, located in a village on a low hilltop ca. 5.5 km northwest of ed-Daheriya, contains the ruins of an ashlar-built church.1 The church contains a prayer hall (ca. 14×7 m) divided into a nave ending in an external apse, and two aisles. The base of the western column in the northern row was in situ. Three entrances were fixed in the hall’s western wall.2 Architectural elements deriving from the church were found in the village houses and strewn about the ground, e.g., a cross-adorned lintel, fragments of columns, column bases,3 and part of a chancel screen post.4 In the Mandatory Archive (IAA Archive), it was noted that in a house at the nearby site of Munṭar Sumara, a number of architectural elements in secondary use were found that derived from elBira, e.g., columns, bases, and fragments of friezes decorated with triglyphs.5

321.2. El-Bira, chancel screen post fragment found at the site.

321.1. El-Bira, northern wall of the church, view from the northeast.

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See the surveys: Guérin 1868–69 III: 364; SWP III: 423; Kochavi 1972: 30, 74, no. 211. See also: Abel 1933–38 II: 446; Bagatti 2002b: 84; Tabula: 90. 2 JSRF 26/19. 3 JSRF 26/19. 4 SHJ 133/33/1. 5 SRF 143. 1

0 0

321.3. El-Bira, ashlars adorned with a cross, in secondary use.

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321.4. El-Bira, general plan of the church.

Corpus of Christian sites

322. Khirbet Kafr Jul (Kh. Kafr Jôr; Ch. Kefr Dschôr; Kh. Kefr Djour) Ref. IOG: 14539 09359 Ref. ITM: 19539 59359 Ref. UTM: 68538 47931 The site is located in a village on a hill ca. 3 km west of Duma.1 V. Guérin found a baptismal font at the site.2 A later survey noted the ruins of a main structure, apparently a church, on a hilltop. It was built of medium-sized ashlars. In the middle of the structure were two rooms. The northeastern room was paved in a mosaic floor with a geometric decoration consisting of crisscrossing lines that formed squares, in whose centers were diamonds. The mosaic was white, black, and red. In the southwestern room was another mosaic floor with floral motifs. The mosaic carpet is surrounded by a black double frame. The carpet field featured a red lotus flower with gray leaves outlined in black. In the carpet margin, there was a row of red and black tesserae against a white background. The structure contained columns, bases, and capitals. To its south was a lintel that bore a twoline Greek inscription in a tabula ansata.3

322.2. Kh. Kafr Jul, northeastern room mosaic floor.

1 See the surveys: Guérin 1868–69 III: 363; SWP III: 356; Mader 1918: 222; Kochavi 1972: 30, 74, no. 212. See also: Bagatti 2002b: 83; Tabula: 159. 2 Guérin 1868–69 III: 363. 3 JSRF 23/19.

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322.1. Kh. Kafr Jul, lintel with a tabula ansata bearing a Greek inscription.

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322.4. Kh. Kafr Jul, capital found at the site.

322.3. Kh. Kafr Jul, southwestern room mosaic floor.

323. Duma (Dūme; Dūmā; Domeh; Doumah; Ed-Dômeh; Ed-Dôme; Kh. Duma ed-Deir) Ref. IOG: 14858 09324 Ref. ITM: 19858 59324 Ref. UTM: 68858 47902 The site is located in the village of Duma, spread over two hills on the banks of a wadi, 2.2 km northeast of the village of ed-Daheriya, near the ancient road leading south from Hebron. It has been identified with the village of Duma (Δουμã), mentioned in Eusebius’ Onomasticon (On. 78:21).1 Surveys of the vicinity noted structures, cisterns, winepresses, and burial caves.2 All the ancient remains subsequently disappeared, owing to construction and intense agrarian activity. Remains of a church were observed in the northeast of the site. Basilical in plan, the church was built of large ashlars, some with marginal drafting. The prayer hall was divided into a nave ending in an internal apse, and two aisles by two rows of columns. One column base was still in situ. Three entrances in the western wall afforded access to the prayer hall. A cross-

adorned lintel was found next to the central entrance.3 Surveys noted the sparse ruins of a complex of rooms, identified as a monastery or farmstead, southeast of the church. One of the rooms yielded white tesserae.4 Remains of another large church were found in the southwest of the village. It contained a single column. A lintel adorned with a cross inside a circle and a column or pilaster capitals were observed in secondary use in the mosque erected near the church.5 Another survey noted architectural elements, probably deriving from the church, in secondary use in the village houses, e.g., column drums, a Corinthian capital, and a lintel with a defaced decoration in a circle.6 Concerning the site identification, see: Thomsen 1907: 56; Abel 1933–38 II: 308–309; Avi-Yonah 1976: 53; Kochavi 1972: 30, no. 213–214; Tabula: 114.

1

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See the surveys: Guérin 1868–69 III: 359–361; SWP III: 313, 328; Petrie 1891: 58–59; Mader 1918: 221–222; Kochavi 1972: 74, nos. 213–214. See also: Petrie 1890: 241; Ovadiah 1970: 51, no. 39; Wilkinson 1977: 155; Avi-Yonah 1984: 114; Schwartz 1986: 98, 107; Elitzur 1994; Bagatti 2002b: 84. 3 Guérin 1868–69 III: 360; Mader 1918: 221–222. 4 SRF 48. 5 Guérin 1868–69 III: 360; SWP III: 328; Petrie 1891: 58–59. 6 JSRF 30/19. This possibly refers to the lintel described above, found in the mosque. 2

323.1. Duma, capital found at the site.

323.2. Duma, column in secondary use in later structure.

324. Karze (Kh. Karza; Kh. Kȗrza; Kh. Kersa) Ref. IOG: 14988 09442 Ref. ITM: 19988 59442 Ref. UTM: 68985 48023 The site is located in a village on the western bank of Wadi el-Ḥammam, ca. 2 km north of Duma.1 Various surveys observed architectural elements in secondary use in the village houses and strewn over the ground, e.g.: columns, large cross-adorned ashlars,2 a lintel adorned with a circle containing a Maltese cross with

knobs between its arms, and a chancel screen post fragment.3 See the surveys: Guérin 1868–69 III: 359; Petrie 1891: 59; Kochavi 1972: 73, no. 204. See also Schwartz 1986: 109. 2 SRF 120; Kochavi 1972: 73, no. 204. 3 SHJ 133/94/1. 1

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324.1. Karze, stone lintel adorned with a cross, in secondary use.

324.2. Karze, chancel screen post fragment found at the site.

325. Khirbet Umm el-ʿAmed (Ch. Umm el-ʿAmad; Umm El-Amed) Ref. IOG: 15439 09454 Ref. ITM: 20439 59454 Ref. UTM: 69436 48044 The site, extending over two hilltops, lies ca. 1 km southwest of Kh. Beit ʿAmra and the ancient road between the latter and Yaṭṭa-Iutta.1 The church surveyed here forms part of a monastery complex. It is basilical in plan and fronted by an atrium (11.6×9 m) with a cistern in the middle. A baptistery is located to its north. Three entrances lead from the narthex (11.6×2.5 m) to the prayer hall (16×11.6 m), which is divided into a nave (5.4 m wide) ending in an internal apse (3 m deep), and two aisles (3.1 m each) by two rows of four columns (3.6 m high and 0.4 m in diameter). To their east are two pastophoria (each 3×3 m). The monastery’s auxiliary rooms are located south of the church.2 The architectural elements observed at the site

include lintels, columns, bases, capitals,3 and cornice fragments (0.5 m high),4 as well as roof tiles and white tesserae.5 In the monastery vicinity, another survey noted a cave afforded access by a rock-cut staircase.6 See the surveys: Robinson and Smith 1841II: 192; Guérin 1868–69 III: 163; SWP III: 370–371; Séjourné 1895: 261– 262; Mader 1918: 210–212; Kochavi 1972: 73, no. 205. See also: Ovadiah 1970: 126–127, no. 129; Ovadiah and de Silva 1982: 153, no. 40; 1984: 144, no. 43; Bagatti 2002b: 94; Tabula: 253. 2 Mader 1918: 210–212, Fig. 10, Taf. V:A. 3 Mader 1918: 210–212, Fig. 10. 4 Séjourné 1895: 261–262. 5 SRF 188. 6 JSRF 24/19.

1

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325.1. Kh. Umm el-ʿAmed, general plan of the monastery.

325.2. Kh. Umm el-ʿAmed, columns at the site, view from the north.

[248]

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325.3. Kh. Umm el-ʿAmed, remains of the western wall of the church, view from the west.

326. Khirbet Beit ʿAmra (Ch. Bēt Amra; Kh. Beit Imra; Kh. Beit ʿAmrā) Ref. IOG: 15514 09540 Ref. ITM: 20514 59540 Ref. UTM: 69509 48131 The site is located in a village spread over two small hills on the southern bank of Wadi ez-Zanah, 2.5 km west of Yaṭṭa. It is situated near the ancient road passing south of Hebron. F.M. Abel proposed identifying it with the village of Zannoua (Ζανάουα), mentioned in

Eusebius’ Onomasticon (On. 92:13).1 All the ancient remains previously surveyed in the village, including those of two Byzantine churches, were destroyed due to construction and intense Palestinian agrarian activity.2

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One of the churches was located on a hilltop between the two occupied by the village. A.E. Mader describes it as basilical in plan (30–25×16–15 m), and built of ashlars, some with marginal drafting. Amid its ruins were monolithic columns (2.8 m high, 0.4 m in diameter) and bases.3 V. Guérin also noted a baptismal font.4 It was rediscovered in 1968, embedded in an agricultural terrace together with broken columns.5 Remains of another church were located at the foot of the southern slope of the northern hill. Its dimensions are unknown.6 A survey conducted in the village area in 1982 revealed that the church had been built over a cave that was integral to the structure; and that the

apse was partly built and partly cut into the bedrock. Capitals adorned with rosettes, a cornice fragment, and a reliquary were strewn around the structure.7 Abel 1933–38 II: 489. See the surveys: Robinson and Smith 1841 II: 629; Guérin 1868–69 III: 208; SWP III: 351; Mader 1918: 209–210; Kochavi 1972: 71, no. 198. See also: Ovadiah and de Silva 1984: 139, no. 26; Bagatti 2002b: 92; Tabula: 76. 3 Mader 1918: 209–210; SRF 26. 4 Guérin 1868–69 III: 208. 5 Kochavi 1972: 71, no. 198. 6 Guérin 1868–69 III: 208; SRF 26. 7 SHJ 320/55/1. 1

2

326. Kh. Beit ʿAmra, columns strewn about the site.

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327. Khirbet el-Munṭar (El-Mŭntâr; Kh. el-Mintar; Kh. el-Munṭār) Ref. IOG: 15723 09423 Ref. ITM: 20723 59423 Ref. UTM: 69721 48018 The site is located ca. 2 km southwest of Yaṭṭa.1 A rectangular structure (37.8×22.3 m) was observed in the nineteenth century, with a church in its northeastern corner. The prayer hall was divided into a nave (4.7 m wide) and two aisles by two rows of three columns (0.4 m in diameter; 2.18 m apart). In the south of the structure were a cistern and a cave (apparently a tomb) to which access was afforded by a square opening. The remains included: ashlars

bearing cross engravings, stones with a tabula ansata and a medallion containing a geometric motif, and also a segment of white mosaic.2 Another survey noted four church columns in situ.3 None of these remains is extant. 1 2 3

See the surveys: Conder 1875: 20; SWP III: 376–377. SWP III: 376–377. SRF 143.

0

327.1. Kh. el-Munṭar, general plan of the site.

[251]

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327.2. Kh. el-Munṭar, architectural elements strewn about the site.

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328. Yaṭṭa (Yaththa; Jaṭṭa; Juṭṭā; Iouttha) Ref. IOG: 15838 09492 Ref. ITM: 20838 59492 Ref. UTM: 69834 48090 suggest it was a Jewish synagogue.4 Other elements belonging to the synagogue or to Jewish private houses include a lintel decorated with menorahs and rosettes.5 Surveys conducted in the village houses and in the area attest to the possible existence of a Christian settlement on the site. The finds included: Corinthian capitals bearing crosses and rosettes,6 a decorated chancel screen panel, chancel screen posts, a lintel

The site is located in the village of Yaṭṭa, ca. 9 km south of Hebron. It has been identified with the biblical city Juttah (Josh. 15:55), and with the Jewish village of Iutta (Ίεττάν), mentioned in Eusebius’ Onomasticon (On. 108:8).1 The settlement of Diotanus, to which the ecumenical councils refer, has also been proposed as an alternative.2 The site was surveyed on numerous occasions, and excavations conducted at the site in 1994 revealed a monumental structure from the Byzantine period.3 The large, ashlar-built structure, northeast– southwest in orientation, was located in the southwest of the settlement. Only its southwestern corner was exposed. Its walls were built over a cave that predated it. There were traces of plaster and a colorful fresco on the stones of the southern wall. An ashlar with a menorah carved in its center was found in the rubble from one of the collapsed walls. Pedestals were also found. A column base and a cornice fragment were found that perhaps derived from a church. The finds indicate that the structure was active from the fourth to seventh centuries CE. Its orientation and artifacts

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328.1. Yaṭṭa, lintel adorned with a cross flanked by vases and fish, in secondary use.

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adorned with a Maltese cross inside a circle and with rosettes, a lintel with a cross (its vertical part, defaced) flanked by vases and fish,7 and cross-decorated lintels and ashlars.8 In addition to the aforementioned elements, the site yielded another cross-adorned lintel bearing a Greek inscription that included a citation from Psalms (118:20),9 but it probably originated in nearby Kh. elKarmil.10 Eusebius describes Iutta as a large Jewish village. Christian findings might suggest that it became a Jewish-Christian settlement later in the Byzantine period, although this assumption is questionable since there is no parallel except in the Roman cities. Another unacceptable option is that the Jews were expelled or forced to convert to Christianity. This assumption too has no parallel, except perhaps in Carmel (Chermela, Kh. el-Karmil), where Jews had already left in the

fourth to fifth centuries CE.11 In our opinion, the most reasonable assumption is that most of the Christian remains found at the site were brought there from nearby churches and monasteries in the Early Islamic period. Concerning the site identification, see: Thomsen 1907: 72; Abel 1933–38 II: 366–367; Avi-Yonah 1976: 71. 2 Tabula: 155. 3 For the excavation, see Magen and Baruch 2002. See the surveys: Guérin 1868–69 III: 205–206; Mader 1918: 185–207; Abel and Barrois 1929: 583–585; Dinur 1986; Ilan and Amit 1987–88; Amit 1989–90b. See also: Avi-Yonah 1984: 115; Safrai 1994: 28, 32. 4 Baruch 2000. 5 Ilan and Amit 1987–88; Amit 1989–90b: 165. One of the lintels was found near the public structure and, in the surveyors’ opinion, it derives from a private house rather than a synagogue. 1

328.2. Yaṭṭa, chancel screen posts in secondary use in later construction.

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Abel and Barrois 1929: 583–585, Fig. 3. SHJ 320/84/1. 8 Dinur 1986. 9 Marta 1895; Dinur 1986. 10 Abel and Barrois 1929: 583. The transfer of remains from Kh. el-Karmil to Yaṭṭa is also surmised in the Mandatory Archive (IAA Archive), which refers to a marble chancel screen post brought to Yaṭṭa from Kh. el-Karmil (SRF 194). 11 Magen 2008j: 247–248. 6 7

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328.4. Yaṭṭa, ashlars adorned with a cross in secondary use in later construction.

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328.5. Yaṭṭa, lintel adorned with a cross inside a circle and with rosettes, in secondary use. 0

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328.3. Yaṭṭa, chancel screen and capitals adorned with crosses. 0

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328.6. Yaṭṭa, chancel screen posts at the site.

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329. Khirbet Khureise (Kh. Khureisa; Kh. Khoreisa; Ch. Choreisā; Ch. Chrēsa;  .urēsa; Umm Tîrân) Ref. IOG: 16220 09540 Ref. ITM: 21220 59540 Fig. UTM: 70215 48145 The site is located on a spur ca. 2 km south of Kh. Istabul, on the ancient road leading southwards from Hebron. It has been identified with the Caphar Orsa (Ῥησα / Ώρῆσα), mentioned in Josephus (War 1:266, 294; Ant. 14:361, 400).1 The site was surveyed on several occasions at the end of the nineteenth and beginning of the twentieth century, as well as in our own day.2 In the middle of the site is a basilical church (25.6×12 m).3 The narthex (12×4.7 m) is entered from the west, while another opening leads from it to the prayer hall. The latter is divided into a nave (7.3 m wide) and two aisles (each 2.4 m wide) by two rows of monolithic columns (0.5 m in diameter; 1.4 m apart); three columns found in situ. The nave ends in an internal apse (2.4 m deep, 4.8 m in diameter). The walls of the structure are 0.8 m thick. Two crossadorned lintels were discovered amidst the ruins of the church.4 One bears a five-line Greek inscription comprising a citation from Psalms (118:20).5 Others surveys have observed building stones with decorative crosses and fragmentary columns on the site grounds.6 Concerning the site identification, see: Schlatter 1896: 229; Nestle 1911: 82; Abel 1933–38 II: 349–350; Avi-Yonah 1976: 85; Möller and Schmitt 1976: 151; Tabula: 98. 2 See the surveys: Conder 1875: 19; SWP III: 356–357; Mader 1918: 178; Kochavi 1972: 72, no. 201. See also: Ovadiah 1970: 120, no. 117; Ovadiah and de Silva 1982: 152, no. 37; Bagatti 2002b: 92. 3 Slightly different measurements are provided by Mader (1918: 178). 4 SWP III: 356–357. 5 Finlay 1875. In addition to the inscription, the letters IH are incised, parallel to the bottom line of the inscription. The surveyors believe that this denotes the date of construction; see Conder 1875: 19. 6 Kochavi 1972: 72, no. 201; JSRF 34/19. 1

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329.1. Kh. Khureise, general plan of the church.

[257]

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329.2. Kh. Khureise, stone lintel adorned with a cross.

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20

40

329.3. Kh. Khureise, stone lintel adorned with a cross and bearing a Greek inscription.

329.4. Kh. Khureise, column found at the site.

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330. Khirbet Umm el-ʿAmed (Ch. Umm el-ʿAmad; Kh. Ghanâîm) Ref. IOG: 16304 09605 Ref. ITM: 21304 59605 Ref. UTM: 70298 48212 The site is located in a village 1.5 km south of Kh. Istabul. The village was built over the remains of a Byzantine settlement on the ancient road between Kh. Istabul-Aristobulias and Yaṭṭa-Iutta. The early remains are now seriously damaged owing to intensive construction on the site.1 In the nineteenth and beginning of the twentieth century, a Byzantine church was still observable. V. Guérin describes it as basilical with three apses.2 A.E. Mader describes it differently, but in greater

330.1. Kh. Umm el-ʿAmed, chancel screen post in secondary use in later construction.

0

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m

330.3. Kh. Umm el-ʿAmed, general plan of the church complex.

330.2. Kh. Umm el-ʿAmed, chancel screen post found at the site.

detail. In the west of the church, a narthex (15.5×4 m) was erected; its entrance was in the west, and a cistern was located in its southwestern corner. The prayer hall (17.1×10 m) had three entrances, and was divided into a nave (6 m wide) and two aisles (each 2 m wide) by two rows of five columns (2.4 m apart). The church had an internal apse (2.6 m deep, 4.8 m in diameter), north of which was a rectangular room

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Corpus of Christian sites

330.4. Kh. Umm el-ʿAmed, ashlar-built structure.

(ca. 7×2 m) entered from the northern aisle. An annex (ca. 14.5×5 m) was attached to the prayer hall in the north. The structure’s walls were ca. 0.8 m thick.3 The church was destroyed nearly to its foundations, but numerous column fragments and other architectural elements originating in it, e.g., a capital adorned with a Maltese cross inside a circle, and marble chancel screen posts, were integrated into later structures.4

See the surveys: Robinson and Smith 1841 II: 629; Guérin 1868–69 III: 163; Mader 1918: 177–178; Kochavi 1972: 72, no. 202. See also: Ovadiah 1970: 118, no. 115; Bagatti 2002b: 92. 2 Guérin 1868–69 III: 163. 3 Mader 1918: 177–178, Fig. 7. 4 JSRF 33/20. 1

331. Khirbet el-Buweib (Kh. el-Bûeib) Ref. IOG: 16483 09700 Ref. ITM: 21483 59700 Ref. UTM: 70475 48311 The site is located on a hilltop in the east of the Hebron Hills, 1.5 km northeast of Kh. Istabul.1 In the northeast of the site, the survey observed a small quadrangular structure (ca. 5×4 m), of ashlars in secondary use. Among the building stones was a

lintel, also in secondary use, adorned with a Maltese cross inside a circle.2 1 2

[260]

See the survey, SWP III: 352. JSRF 19/20.

Corpus of Christian sites

332. ʿEin el-Skhaniya (Ein El-Sachaniah) Ref. IOG: 16623 09731 Ref. ITM: 21623 59731 Ref. UTM: 70614 48344 The site, identified as a coenobitic monastery, is located in the vicinity of ʿEin el-Skhaniya on a steep saddle ca. 4 km northeast of Kh. Istabul and 4 km southeast of Tell Zif. It lies on a secondary ancient road between Kh. el-Buweib and Kh. Istabul-Aristobulias, and near the ancient road between Hebron and ʿEn Gedi. This site, too, has been identified as the monastery founded by Euthymius in the Wilderness of Ziph in the vicinity of Caphar Baricha (Life of Euthymius 12, 22).1 A rockcut staircase joins the monastery with the road to Kh. Istabul. The monastery’s shape is that of an irregular rectangle (ca. 40×25 m), and its western part was not preserved. The remains of what were evidently dwelling cells are set along the eastern wall. The room in northeastern corner was paved in white mosaic. At the center of the monastery was a chapel (ca. 15×10 m) with an external apse. Opposite the apse was a section

of plastered floor—apparently the bedding of a mosaic. In the northwest of the chapel, an opening led to a cave that served as a crypt. A number of other caves were scattered around the compound. Their openings were blocked with rolling stones. Various agricultural installations and a system of channels for draining runoff rainwater, some cut into the bedrock, others built, were observed in the monastery’s vicinity.2 Another survey observed segments of a colorful mosaic decorated in a geometric design and schematic crosses comprising buds, as well as lintels and crossadorned building stones.3 Concerning the site identification, see: Sar-Avi 1999: 189. See also the following sites in this volume: Kh. Umm Ḥalasa (site no. 307), Umm Rukba (site no. 317), and Kh. el-Quneiṭira (site no. 335). 2 Sar-Avi 1999. 3 JSRF 37/20.

1

333. Khirbet Khallat el-Meiya (Kh. el-Mîyeh) Ref. IOG: 16370 09443 Ref. ITM: 21370 59443 Ref. UTM: 70367 48051 The site is located in a village of the same name that extends over two hills; it lies 2.5 km north of Kh. el-Karmil and 2.5 km south of Kh. Istabul, on the ancient eastern road leading southwards from Hebron to Tell Zif and Kh. el-Karmil-Chermela. The site’s architectural remains are buried under later construction in the village.1

In this later construction surveyors have observed diverse architectural elements, such as a chancel screen post and a chancel screen panel fragment bearing a dedicatory inscription in Greek, which probably derived from a church. Possibly, these elements were transferred from Kh. el-Karmil,2 or originated in a number of other sites in the region

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(e.g., Kh. Khureise, Kh. Umm el-ʿAmed, Kh. elQuneiṭira, etc.), where churches and other Christian artifacts have been found.3 Nevertheless, one should not preclude the possibility that they originate in Kh. Khallat el-Meiya itself, and that a church existed here in the Byzantine period.

See the surveys: SWP III: 359; Amit 1989–90c. Amit 1989–90c. 3 See the sites in this volume: Kh. Khureise (site no. 329), Kh. Umm el-ʿAmed (site no. 330), and Kh. el-Quneiṭira (site no. 335). 1 2

334. Khirbet ed-Deirat (Kh. ed-Deirât; Kh. ed-Derat; Ch. ed-Dērāt; Kh. ed-Deirāt) Ref. IOG: 16519 09471 Ref. ITM: 21519 59471 Ref. UTM: 70516 48082 The site is located in a village on a spur near the spring of ʿEin Deirat, ca. 3 km southeast of Kh. Istabul.1 A survey of the site observed an ashlar-built structure, the fragment of a chancel screen post, and a stone engraved with a crescent moon and a star. The structure was identified as a synagogue.2 The surveys conducted at the end of the nineteenth and beginning of the twentieth century noted finds attesting to the presence of a Christian community. A stone crudely engraved with a Maltese cross inside a circle was found near ruins of walls at the site3; and

ashlars bearing crosses and architectural elements were found that had been described in secondary use in later buildings.4 It thus appears that the chancel screen post should be ascribed to a Byzantine church. See the surveys: Robinson and Smith 1841 II: 201; Guérin 1868–69 III: 165; SWP III: 352; Mader 1918: 178: Ilan 1991: 298. See also: Ovadiah and de Silva 1984: 140–141, no. 30; Bagatti 2002b: 92; Tabula: 112. 2 Ilan 1991: 298. 3 SWP III: 352. 4 Mader 1918: 178. 1

335. Khirbet el-Quneiṭira (Kh. el-Quneitra; Kh. Tennar) Ref. IOG: 16690 09594 Ref. ITM: 21690 59594 Ref. UTM: 70684 48209 The site, a coenobitic monastery, is located at the edge of a cliff on the southern bank of Wadi el-Quneiṭira, 7 km south of Bani Naʿim.1 A network of paths joins it with the settlements of Kh. Istabul-Aristobulias and Kh. el-Karmil-Chermela. The monastery complex (ca. 50×30 m) includes a chapel, a tower, residential cells, a water reservoir, and an oil press—all around a

central courtyard. The chapel is east of the courtyard. A lintel decorated with three crosses was found next to the chapel entrance. The prayer hall (12.4×6.2 m) has a single apse (3.6 m in diameter). In the chapel, the base of an altar table and pieces of decorative polychrome plaster were observed. The decoration consists of geometric shapes in black, gray, green,

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blue, red, yellow, and white. Segments of a mosaic floor were still in situ in the chapel and in the courtyard to its west. Adjoining the chapel’s southern wall was a small rectangular room (7.4×4 m). The site has been identified with the monastery founded by Euthymius in the Wilderness of Ziph in the vicinity of Caphar Baricha (Life of Euthymius 12, 22).2 Concerning the

various proposals aiming to identify this monastery, see the discussion in Kh. Umm Ḥalasa.3 See the surveys: Guérin 1868–69 II: 304; Hirschfeld 1985b. See also: Hirschfeld 1990: 68, no. 63, Figs. 85–86; 1992: 46–47; Tabula: 210. 2 Hirschfeld 1985b. 3 See Kh. Umm Ḥalasa (site no. 307) in this volume.

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335. Kh. el-Quneiṭira, general plan of the monastery.

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336. Khirbet es-Simye (Kh. es-Simya; Ch. es-Sīmja; Es Sîmia) Ref. IOG: 15321 09217 Ref. ITM: 20321 59217 Ref. UTM: 69323 47804 The site is located in a village on a small hill 5.6 km southwest of Yaṭṭa.1 The remains of a Byzantine church were found incorporated into an oblong structure, east–west in orientation, known as el-Kurseh, in the northeast of the village. This structure was built of ashlars with marginal drafting and prominent, mostly double, bosses. An entrance hall in its northeast provided openings to three cells. These openings were surmounted by decorated lintels. One features geometric motifs inside three circles; the second bears a tabula ansata; and the third is adorned with various framed designs. South of the structure was a cistern.2 Surveys of the site noted additional architectural

elements in secondary use in the village houses, e.g.: a lintel bearing a Greek inscription inside a tabula ansata, other cross-adorned lintels,3 cross-adorned ashlars, and column fragments.4 See the surveys: SWP III: 378; Petrie 1891: 59; Mader 1918: 212; Kochavi 1972: 75, no. 220. See also: Avi-Yonah 1984: 180; Bagatti 2002b: 94–95; Tabula: 232. Rock-cut tombs were discovered at the site and dated to the end of the first or beginning of the second century CE; see Magen 2008i: 158–161. 2 SRF 177. 3 SRF 177. 4 JSRF 70/19.

1

336.1. Kh. es-Simye, el-Kurseh, ashlar-built wall with marginal drafting.

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336.2. Kh. es-Simye, el-Kurseh, stone lintel founded at the site.

337. Khirbet Majdal Baʿ (Kh. Mejdel el-Baʿ; Ch. Medschdel el-Bʿʿa; Kh. Majd el-Baʿ; Mejed-el-Baa; Kh. Majdal Bā) Ref. IOG: 15579 09244 Ref. ITM: 20579 59244 Ref. UTM: 69580 47836 The site is located on a hilltop ca. 2 km west of Kh. el-ʿUzeiz, on the ancient road leading south from Hebron.1 In the east of the site, the remains of a chapel (14.2×6.3 m) with a single apse, and a number of structures adjoining it in the north and east, were observed.2 These vestiges no longer exist. In 1968, broken columns and the fragment of a chancel screen

panel adorned with ivy leaves, all originating in the chapel, were observed in secondary use.3 See the surveys: Guérin 1868–69 III: 203–204; Mader 1918: 212–213; Kochavi 1972: 75–76, no. 221. See also: Ovadiah 1970: 123, no. 124; Bagatti 2002b: 95; Tabula: 183. 2 Mader 1918: 212–213. 3 Kochavi 1972: 75–76, no. 221. See also SRF 135. 1

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338. Khirbet el-ʿUzeiz (Ḥ. al-ʿUzēz; Kh. ʾAzîz; Ch. ʿAzēz; Kh. Kafr ʿUzeiz) Ref. IOG: 15782 09321 Ref. ITM: 20782 59321 Ref. UTM: 69782 47918 The site is located on a hilltop on the western bank of Wadi el-Marj, 1.5 km south of Yaṭṭa. It has been identified with Kefar ʿAziz, mentioned as the dwelling place of Rabbi Ishmael (M Kilʾayim 6:4).1 The site, surveyed on a number of occasions, revealed impressive remains of a settlement dating to the Roman and Byzantine periods, two churches, and a small chapel.2 A main street was discovered that traversed the site from east to west. To its south were the remains of a large structure (54×17 m) with two rows

of columns (3.2 m high, 0.5 m in diameter) with crudely worked capitals (0.3 m high). In the north of the structure was a tower (11.4×4.9 m), next to which was a rolling stone (1.7 m in diameter). In the south of the complex was an open courtyard. The structure cannot be identified as a church, as it lacks an apse.3 A.E. Mader, who examined the structure, noted its church-like plan, but raised the possibility that it was the city cardo.4 Mader’s hypothesis is unacceptable because there was no evidence of a Roman city there.

338.1. Kh. el-ʿUzeiz, columns in situ in the southern church.

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338.2. Kh. el-ʿUzeiz, crosses engraved on a burial cave entrance.

Mader noted the remains of a church south of the structure; its plan, however, was unclear. It featured columns (0.5 m in diameter, 2.1 m apart) and Ionic capitals adorned with crosses.5 The remains of another church were located in the south of the site. Here, too, its plan cannot be reconstructed owing to the scant remains. It featured two columns in situ (0.4 m in diameter, 1.8 m apart) and a lintel (1.8×0.4 m) decorated with a Maltese cross.6 The site was resurveyed in 1982, revealing remains of a church apse with segments of a colorful mosaic floor adorned with floral motifs.7 In the vicinity of the church were architectural elements, including Ionic capitals8 and a lintel with a tabula ansata.9 In addition to the churches described above, a small chapel (ca. 6×3 m) was discovered at the northwestern end of the site. It had six columns, 1.9 m apart, three adjacent to each wall.10

The presence of a Christian populace at the site is also attested in the burial caves around it, several of which had crosses engraved on the burial chamber entrances.11 Concerning the site identification, see: Abel 1933–38 II: 288; Avi-Yonah 1976: 71; Reeg 1989: 363–364; Tabula: 162. 2 See the surveys: Guérin 1868–69 III: 204–205; SWP III: 348–350; Mader 1918: 213–215; Kochavi 1972: 75, no. 218; Amit 1989–90b: 166. See also: Wilkinson 1977: 178; Ovadiah and de Silva 1981: 231–232, nos. 38–39; Avi-Yonah 1984: 115; Schwartz 1986: 104–105; Bagatti 2002b: 94. 3 SWP III: 349. 4 Mader 1918: 214. 5 Mader 1918: 214. 6 SWP III: 350; Mader 1918: 214. 7 SHJ 320/73/1. 8 SRF 192. 9 Kochavi 1972: 75, no. 218. 10 SWP III: 350. 11 SRF 192; Kochavi 1972: 75, no. 218. 1

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339. Khirbet el-Karmil (El Kŭrmŭl; el-Kirmil; el-Kermel; el-Karmal) Ref. IOG: 16264 09225 Ref. ITM: 21264 59225 Ref. UTM: 70265 47831 The site is located ca. 4 km southeast of Yaṭṭa, extending over four hills near the ancient hill country road. It has been identified with biblical Carmel (Josh. 15:55), and with the large Byzantine village of Chermela (Χερμαλά), mentioned in Eusebius’ Onomasticon as a Jewish settlement (On. 92:20; 118:6; 172:20).1 Most of its early remains were buried under later construction. The site was surveyed on numerous occasions, and at least three churches were identified.2 One of the Byzantine churches was located in the ancient settlement east of the Crusader fortress.

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339.1. Kh. el-Karmil, general plan of the church in the ancient settlement.

According to Mader it was basilical (23.48×12.2 m), but its exact plan is unclear. Its prayer hall was divided into a nave (8.2 m wide) and two aisles (each 2 m wide) by two rows of seven columns. The church had an internal apse (4.57 m in diameter) flanked by two pastophoria (each 2.1 m wide). The walls were ca. 0.9 m thick. The ruins yielded a lintel decorated with two rosettes and a cross inside a circle, Ionian capitals, and seven columns.3 The apse contained a Greek inscription in a tabula ansata and crosses.4 Other surveyors differed from Mader in their description of the church; one noted the church was particularly large (32.6 m long),5 while another reported three apses.6 A lintel, numerous columns, and capitals deriving from the church were found in the courtyard of the Crusader fortress.7 Another basilical church called Rujm Mereze or Kh. Birket el-Karmil was located on a hill north of the ancient settlement. The church complex (39.3×20 m) included an atrium (14.5 m long) surrounded by a peristyle, a prayer hall (the aisles were 19.6 m long), and a single apse (3 m deep, 4.5 m in diameter). Architectural elements found inside the church included: a capital adorned with a cross and a vase with two birds8; other broken capitals; a lintel with a geometric decoration9; and fragments of a chancel screen panel adorned with crosses and a six-pointed star.10 Additional surveys observed numerous other architectural features, including a capital adorned with a vase, frieze fragments, and cross-adorned building stones.11 A third church, called Rujm Barakat, was located on a hill south of the settlement. According to Mader, its plan was basilical. Three openings in the eastern wall of the narthex (12.4×4 m) led into a prayer hall (18×12.4 m). The prayer hall was divided into a nave (6 m wide) and two aisles (each 3.2 m wide) by two rows of five columns (2.5 m apart). The single internal apse (3.2 m deep, 5.1 m in diameter) was flanked by two pastophoria (each 4×3.3 m). A row

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339.2. Kh. el-Karmil, stone lintel adorned with a tabula ansata and a cross.

339.3. Kh. el-Karmil, the church in the ancient settlement.

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339.5. Kh. el-Karmil, general plan of the structure south of Rujm Barakat.

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339.4. Kh. el-Karmil, Rujm Barakat, general plan of the church.

of rooms adjoined the narthex in the west. The entire complex measured 40×14.2 m.12 According to A.M. Schneider, the church had three apses: the central one was external, the lateral ones, internal (1.5 m deep, 2.1 m in diameter), with pastophoria behind them.13 Next to the structure were plastered pools and a large

square cistern.14 The church interior yielded a lintel decorated with three Maltese crosses inside circles, fallen columns, and other architectural elements.15 A later survey noted remains of a mosaic floor near the church, on the road leading southeast.16 Some 200 m south of Rujm Barakat was a quadrangular structure divided into two wings, the eastern one higher than the western one. Three rooms adjoined the western wing’s northern wall. Near the structure was a large cistern. Inside the structure and in its vicinity were fragmentary columns and pilasters.17 A number of architectural elements deriving from the churches of el-Karmil were observed in secondary use in later houses belonging to the village. These included chancel screen panel fragments,18 including

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339.6. Kh. el-Karmil, Rujm Barakat, stone lintel adorned with crosses.

339.7. Kh. el-Karmil, Rujm Barakat, remains of the church.

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339.8. Kh. el-Karmil, stone lintel fragment bearing a Greek inscription with a citation from Psalms and a cross.

one adorned with a cross,19 and an ashlar engraved with a Maltese cross inside a circle.20 For a considerable period the Byzantine structures of Kh. el-Karmil served as a source of building stone for the inhabitants of the Hebron Hills, so that other architectural features from the above-described churches have been found in various villages in the area. For example, an arch decorated with rosettes,21 the fragment of a lintel bearing a cross and a Greek inscription with a citation from Psalm 118: 20,22 and a marble chancel screen post23 all originated in one of the churches of Kh. el-Karmil or possibly of Yaṭṭa. A number of similar elements, including a chancel screen panel fragment with a Greek inscription found at Kh. Khallat el-Meiya, were conceivably transported from Kh. el-Karmil.24 1 Concerning the site identification, see: Thomsen 1907: 116; Abel 1933–38 II: 180, 296; Avi-Yonah 1976: 49; Tabula: 103. 2 See the surveys: Robinson and Smith 1841 II: 196–201; Guérin 1868–69 III: 166–170; Conder 1875: 20; Tristram 1882: 379–380; SWP III: 312, 372–374; Séjourné 1895: 259–261; Mader 1918: 178–185; Alt 1931b: 75–76, Taf. 4; Schneider 1938: 102–108; Mittmann 1971; Kochavi 1972: 76, nos. 222–223, 226. A Roman cave was excavated at the site;

see Baruch 1993. See also: Ovadiah 1970: 61–63, nos. 50–52; Ovadiah and de Silva 1981: 252–253, no. 68; Avi-Yonah 1984: 170; Safrai 1994: 28, 30, 32–33; Bagatti 2002b: 95–96, Pl. 16. 3 Mader 1918: 181, Fig. 8:a. 4 Mittmann 1971. 5 Conder 1875: 20. 6 Kochavi 1972: 76, no. 222. 7 JSRF 62/19. 8 Mader 1918: 180–181, Fig. 8b. 9 Conder 1875: 20. 10 Schneider 1938: 102–108, Fig. 12. 11 JSRF 62/19. 12 Mader 1918: 181–184, Fig. 9. 13 Schneider 1938: 102–108, Fig. 14. 14 Kochavi 1972: 76, no. 226. 15 Mader 1918: 181–184. 16 JSRF 62/19. 17 SRF 120. 18 SRF 120. 19 Schneider 1938: 101, Fig. 13. 20 JSRF 62/19. 21 Abel and Barrois 1929: 583–584, Fig. 2. 22 Marta 1895. 23 SRF 194 (Yaṭṭa). See also Yaṭṭa (site no. 328), in this volume. 24 Amit 1989–90c. See also Kh. Khallat el-Meiya (site no. 333), in this volume.

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339.9. Kh. el-Karmil, Rujm Mereze, decorated capital.

339.12. Kh. el-Karmil, Rujm Mereze, stone adorned with a cross.

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339.10. Kh. el-Karmil, Rujm Mereze, screen panel adorned with crosses and a six-pointed star.

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339.11. Kh. el-Karmil, chancel screen panel fragments founded in secondary use in later construction.

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340. ed-Daheriya (Eḍ-Ḍaherīje; Edh Dhâherîyeh; ed-Dhôherîyeh; ez-Zāhiriya; ed-Daheriye) Ref. IOG: 14739 09079 Ref. ITM: 19739 59079 Ref. UTM: 68744 47655 The site is located in ed-Daheriya, a village on a hill 2.5 km south of Duma. It was surveyed several times, and a trial excavation was conducted in 1932.1 A colorful mosaic floor was surveyed in the nineteenth century.2 The surveys conducted in the village observed numerous architectural elements in secondary use in the houses and strewn about the grounds; some of these belong to a Byzantine church. They include: columns and bases, a Corinthian capital adorned with a cross, lintels decorated with crosses inside circles3; other cross-decorated lintels, the fragment of a lintel bearing a tabula ansata containing the vestiges of a four-line Greek inscription4; marble chancel screen posts5; and an ashlar adorned with a cross.

340.2. Ed-Daheriya, stone lintel adorned with cross and two rosettes, in secondary use.

340.1. Ed-Daheriya.

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340.3. Ed-Daheriya, fragment of a lintel bearing a tabula ansata containing a Greek inscription, in secondary use.

340.4. Ed-Daheriya, ashlar adorned with a cross, in secondary use in later construction.

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For the excavations, see Kyle and Albright 1933. See the surveys: Robinson and Smith 1841 I: 311–312; Guérin 1868–69 III: 361; Palmer 1871: 38–39; SWP III: 406–408; Petrie 1891: 59; Mader 1918: 220–221. See also: Abel 1933–38 II: 339, 342; Ovadiah and de Silva 1984: 133, no. 10; Bagatti 2002b: 85; Tabula: 107.

1

The mosaic was surveyed by Dr. Krafft (cited in Mader 1918: 221). See also Avi-Yonah 1934: 46, no. 330. 3 Mader 1918: 220–221. 4 SHJ 133/70/1. 5 SRF 47; SHJ 133/70/1. 2

340.5. Ed-Daheriya, ashlar adorned with a cross in a circle, in secondary use in later construction.

340.6. Ed-Daheriya, chancel screen post in secondary use in later construction.

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341. Khirbet ed-Deir (Ed Deir; Ch. Ed-Dēr; Kh. Ed-Deiri) Ref. IOG: 14780 08990 Ref. ITM: 19780 58990 Ref. UTM: 68786 47566 The site is located in a village on a hilltop ca. 1 km south of ed-Daheriya.1 A chapel (14.6×6.4 m) without an apse and fronted by an atrium with a cistern was previously surveyed here.2 Later surveys observed architectural elements deriving from the chapel, e.g., a marble plaque, the fragment of a cornice, and a broken column, strewn

around the site and in secondary use in the private houses of the village.3 See the surveys: Guérin 1868–69 III: 369; SWP III: 406; Mader 1918: 222–223. See also: Ovadiah 1970: 108, no. 104; Bagatti 2002b: 99; Tabula 109. 2 Guérin 1868–69 III: 369; SWP III: 406. 3 JSRF 33/19.

1

342. Khirbet Shuweike (Kh. Shuweikah; Kh. Šuweikè; Kh. ech Shoueikeh; Ch. esch-Schuwēke; Ḥ. Šuwēka) Ref. IOG: 15074 09008 Ref. ITM: 20074 59008 Ref. UTM: 69080 47590 The site is located in a village on a tell ca. 3 km east of ed-Daheriya.1 V. Guérin visited the site, reporting that it contained two mosques built over the ruins of two ancient churches.2 One of the mosques, in the west of the village, was later resurveyed and described as being built of ashlars in secondary use. There was a constructed arch in the outer face of its southern wall, opposite the Miḥrab.3 Fragments of a chancel screen were found south of the mosque, and further along the slopes, broken columns, apparently derived from a church.4 A later survey recorded two additional chancel screen fragments and a lintel.5 See the surveys: Guérin 1868–69 III: 201–202; Petrie 1891: 54; Mader 1918: 223; Kochavi 1972: 77, no. 229. See also: Abel 1933–38 II: 467; Bagatti 2002b: 98; Tabula: 231. 2 Guérin 1868–69 III: 201–202. 3 Petrie 1891: 54; Mader 1918: 223. 4 Mader 1918: 223. 5 SRF 177.

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342. Kh. Shuweike, chancel screen posts in secondary use.

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343. Khirbet Deir esh-Shams (Deir esh-Shems, Kh. esh-Shams) Ref. IOG: 15192 09059 Ref. ITM: 20192 59059 Ref. UTM: 69197 47644 The site extends over two hilltops ca. 1 km northeast of Kh. Shuweike, on the ancient road joining edDaheriya, Kh. Shuweike, and Kh. es-Simye.1 Surveyors observed structures surrounded by a defensive wall in the middle of the site; at their center was a fortress that was adjoined by a small ashlar-built church with an apse. The church entrance was in the west; next to it was a lintel decorated with a cross

inside a circle and two rosettes. The prayer hall was divided into a nave and two aisles. Two column bases belonging to the northern row were found in situ. The segments of a colorful mosaic were also observed.2 See the surveys: Guérin 1868–69 III: 202; SWP III: 409; Petrie 1890: 240; 1891: 54. 2 JSRF 73/19. 1

343. Kh. Deir esh-Shams, view from the west.

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344. Khirbet Deir el-Lauz (Kh. Deir el-Louz; Kh. Deir el Lôz) Ref. IOG: 15163 08938 Ref. ITM: 20163 58938 Ref. UTM: 69170 47522 This site is located on a hilltop and a saddle ca. 4 km southeast of ed-Daheriya.1 The ancient road leading to Kh. Shuweike passes to its north. In the southwest of the site a large structure was observed consisting of a number of rooms and halls that surrounded a courtyard, in whose middle was a cistern. One of the halls, oblong in plan and east–west in orientation, was identified as a chapel or church. The structure, entered

from the east by way of a long, narrow corridor, was surrounded by a wall. A cross-adorned ashlar was found in the area of the site, which can probably be identified as a monastery or as a farmstead of Christian character.2 1 2

344. Kh. Deir el-Lauz.

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Corpus of Christian sites

345. Khirbet ʿAnab el-Kabir (Kh. ʿAnab el-Kabire; Kh. ʿAnāb; Unab; ʾAnâb; Kh. ʿUnāb el-Kabīr) Ref. IOG: 14350 08942 Ref. ITM: 19350 58942 Ref. UTM: 68357 47510 The site is located on top of a mountainous ridge 4.8 km southwest of ed-Daheriya, and has been identified with the village of Anab (Άνάβ), mentioned in Eusebius’ Onomasticon (On. 26:8).1 It was surveyed, and remains of a Byzantine church were observed outside the settlement.2 In 1997–1998, the church was excavated east of the site. Basilical in plan, the church exhibited two Byzantine building phases, the earlier dating to the first half of the sixth century CE.

The complex was abandoned in the middle of the eighth century CE—the Early Islamic period. The prayer hall, fronted by a narthex and atrium, was divided into a nave and two aisles by two rows of five columns and two pillars. The external apse was flanked by two pastophoria. A wing of auxiliary rooms was attached to the church in the north (the entire complex measured 38×20 m). Mosaic floors were observed throughout the structure. The nave mosaic featured a geometric

345.1. Kh. ʿAnab el-Kabir, the church, view from the southwest.

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pattern of medallions with zoomorphic figures that had undergone iconoclasm in the Early Islamic period. The church also yielded a number of Greek inscriptions and a Syropalestinian inscription. The

church contained columns, capitals, marble chancel screen panels adorned with crosses, and a baptismal font.3 Architectural elements deriving from the church were previously noted in secondary use in

Sixth Century CE Late Sixth–Seventh Centuries CE Eighth Century CE Thirteenth–Fourteenth Centuries CE 0

345.2. Kh. ʿAnab el-Kabir, construction phases of the church.

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345.3. Kh. ʿAnab el-Kabir, the prayer hall, view from the west.

the mosque of Qaṣ r ʿUnab el-Kabir, ca. 0.5 km east of the site. These included two columns, a lintel bearing crosses and rosettes, and an ashlar adorned with a similar rosette.4 Another column and a lintel fragment with traces of a tabula ansata were found near the mosque.5 Concerning the site identification, see: Thomsen 1907: 21; Abel 1933–38 II: 243; Bagatti 1960–61: 304–305; Avi-Yonah 1976: 28; Tabula: 62. 2 See the surveys: Guérin 1868–69 III: 364–367; SWP III: 393; Petrie 1891: 56–57; Kochavi 1972: 78, no. 234. See also: Ovadiah and de Silva 1981: 237–238, no. 51; AviYonah 1984: 114; Schwartz 1986: 107; Safrai 1986: 119; 1994: 28, 31; Baruch 1999: 177; Bagatti 2002b: 85. 3 For the excavation, see Magen, Peleg and Sharukh 2012a. For the Greek inscriptions, see Di Segni 2012f; for the Syropalestinian inscription, see Bar-Asher 2012. 4 Petrie 1891: 56–57. Concerning the mosque of Qaṣr ʿUnab el-Kabir, see Kochavi 1972: 78, no. 234. 5 SRF 8. 1

345.4. ʿAnab el-Kabir, baptismal font.

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345.5. Kh. ʿAnab el-Kabir, Greek and Syropalestinian inscriptions in the bema mosaic floor.

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346. Rujm Jureida (Kh. ʿUseiliyye) Ref. IOG: 14304 08814 Ref. ITM: 19304 58814 Ref. UTM: 68314 47381 The site is located on a hilltop ca. 1 km south of ʿAnab el-Kabir. In the scholarly literature, it also appears under the name of Kh. ʿUseiliyye, which actually applies to secondary ruins in a saddle west of Rujm Jureida.1 An ancient road connects both sites. A survey at the site observed two cross-adorned lintels and the fragment of a cornice, indicating that the site was Christian.2 Excavations conducted in 1997 exposed that initially a fourth century CE Roman tower and farmhouse

were erected, followed by a monastery.3 The rectangular complex (32×27 m) built around a central courtyard, surmounted a cave. The entrance to the complex was from the west. In the south of the complex was a chapel. It is rectangular in plan (5.1×3 m) with a mosaic floor adorned with two colorful carpets with geometric designs and the remains of a Greek inscription in the north. West of the chapel is a rectangular room (7.5×6.5 m), paved with a mosaic floor adorned with a colorful carpet with a grid of diamonds; in the center of each

346.1. Rujm Jureida, view from the west.

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Late Roman Period Byzantine Period Early Islamic Period 346.2. Rujm Jureida, construction phases of the site.

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is a crosslet composed of buds. In the southeast of the room, opposite the chapel entrance, are traces of a tabula ansata, probably contained an inscription that was not preserved. The compound apparently ceased serving as a monastery following the earthquake of 749 CE. In the second half of the eighth or beginning of the ninth century CE, alterations were made at the site, and an oil press was established.4 1 See the surveys: Kochavi 1972: 80, no. 237; Safrai 1985–86: 120–121, 126, site no. 10. See also Tabula: 255. 2 SRF 115. 3 For the excavation, see Magen, Peleg and Sharukh 2012b. See also Magen 2008c: 223–224. 4 Magen, Peleg and Sharukh 2012b: 413–418. See also Magen 2008e: 295–296.

346.3. Rujm Jureida, tower mosaic floor.

346.4. Rujm Jureida, mosaic floor in the room west of the chapel.

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347. Khirbet Umm Deimine (Kh. Umm ed-Deimina; Umm Deimneh) Ref. IOG: 14369 08680 Ref. ITM: 19369 58680 Ref. UTM: 68382 47248 The site is located on a hilltop, 2.5 km south of ʿAnab el-Kabir. F.M. Abel proposed identifying it with Madmannah (Mηδεβηνά), mentioned in Eusebius’ Onomasticon (On. 130:7),1 but the findings do not support his idea.2 Towards the end of the nineteenth century, two cross-adorned lintels were observed at the site.3 Another survey observed remains of a complex built around a central courtyard. An excavation of the site in 2004 revealed three main building phases.4 The first, Late Roman, includes a compound (27.5×24.5 m) consisting of a peristyle

courtyard enclosed by wings. The northwest of the structure was built over a cave. In the second phase, dating to the sixth century CE, a monastery that made use of the earlier structure was erected. In the northern wing, a chapel (12.5×5.7 m) was installed in the hall, the additional walls consisting of ashlars in secondary use. On the chapel’s east, a raised bema without an apse was built. The prayer hall was paved in a colorful mosaic decorated with medallions and geometric motifs and zoomorphic figures. It reveals signs of iconoclasm: the figures inside the medallions were defaced.

347.1. Kh. Umm Deimine, view from the northwest.

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5 5m m

0 0

Late Fourth–Early Fifth Century CE Late Fourth–Early Fifth Century CE Fifth–Early Eight Century CE Fifth–Early Eight Century CE Late Eight–Ninth Century CE Late Eight–Ninth Century CE 347.2. Kh. Umm Deimine, construction phases of the site.

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The bema was paved in a colorful mosaic, which was partly preserved. All the other rooms were paved in white mosaic; west of the chapel two crosses were embedded in the floor, one outside the chapel entrance. Construction changes were also made, mainly in the southern wing. An advanced winepress was revealed south of the structure. In the Early Islamic period, a number of changes occurred, e.g.: the construction of an oil press in the south wing; the erection of several rooms in the courtyard; and the erection, north of the earlier structure, of a new wing that contained an industrial installation. The monastery continued in service until the end of the eighth century CE. Abel 1933–38 II: 372. See the surveys: SWP III: 392, 399; Petrie 1890: 241; Kochavi 1972: 80–81, no. 244. See also: Noth 1934: 43; Tabula: 254.

0

20

40

347.4. Kh. Umm Deimine, cross in the mosaic floor in front of the chapel.

1 2

Petrie 1890: 241. For the excavation, see Magen, Batz and Sharukh 2012. See also: Magen 2008c: 225–227; 2008e: 297–298.

3 4

347.3. Kh. Umm Deimine, chapel mosaic floor, view from the west.

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348. Deir el-Hawa (Deir Hawa; Deir Hawah) Ref. IOG: 14324 08610 Ref. ITM: 19324 58610 Ref. UTM: 68338 47177 This site, located on a hilltop 1 km south of Kh. Umm Deimine, has been identified as a Byzantine monastery.1 A rectangular structure (ca. 28×23 m) was observed. The walls’ outer faces are of ashlars, their inner faces, of fieldstones. The structure includes a central courtyard (ca. 15×10 m) with a cistern in the middle and a row of rooms (each ca. 4×4 m) along the walls. Its entrance is in the northern wall.2 In another survey, this structure was described as being well preserved, in that its outer walls were extant to a height of two to three courses. Two winepresses, whose floors were paved in white mosaic, adjoined its eastern and western walls. Nearby were openings to three caves, and building stones in secondary use.3 A doorpost and the fragment of a decorated cornice were found on the ground. The outer walls were ca. 1.4 m thick. In the southern wall were stones with knobs. Similar stones were seen in secondary use in

the agricultural terraces surrounding the structure. The eastern wall was exposed in a robber trench, to a height of three courses. A cistern with a round stone ring in its opening was in the middle of the courtyard. In one of the units in the west of the structure a collapsed cave was found. Some 5 m west of the structure’s western wall was another cave, accessed by a stonelined shaft; the shaft was closed on top by slabs. The cave continues eastwards underneath the structure’s western wall, probably joining the first cave. Some 40 m north of the structure was another cistern, and 160 m north of the former was a dwelling cave, presently serving as a pen for flocks. See the survey, SWP III: 393. See also: Bagatti 2002b: 85–87; Tabula: 111. 2 SRF 45. 3 JSRF 31/19. 1

348.1. Deir el-Hawa, northern wall of the ashlar-built structure.

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348.2. Deir el-Hawa, cistern in the central courtyard.

348.3. Deir el-Hawa, a cave west of the structure.

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349. Deir el-Ghawi (Deir el Ghâwy; Deir el-Gawi; Deir el-Ghāwi) Ref. IOG: 14239 08587 Ref. ITM: 19239 58587 Ref. UTM: 68254 47153 The site is located on a small hilltop on a spur ca. 1 km southwest of Kh. Deir el-Hawa. The ruins consist of a complex of rooms built in a semicircle around the hilltop.1 The Mandatory Archive (IAA Archive) contains the description of a church or chapel, of ashlars, some with marginal drafting, in the north of the site. A rolling stone was found at the eastern end of the church. A tower, of ashlars, some with marginal drafting, was built south of the church. The room in the tower’s northeastern corner had another rolling stone. The surveyors surmised that this room might have been a chapel. A third rolling stone was observed on the ground, north of the complex.2 The site was surveyed on a number of occasions, and most of the remains were apparently damaged by the Palestinians, who removed its building stones. Remains of an oil press were found in the south of the site.3 One survey observed the sparse remains of an ashlarbuilt complex on top of the spur. At present it is buried

beneath a Palestinian house, which made secondary use of its building stones. Around the complex were three cisterns and three caves. In the entrance to one of the caves is an early lintel in secondary use; it bears a Maltese cross inside a circle. The lintel’s sides were broken, and its decoration, almost totally defaced. Southeast of the ashlar-built complex, at the end of the spur, are the remains of another structure, probably the tower recorded in the Mandatory Archive. It is a square structure, three of whose walls (in the north, east, and south) are plainly visible. It measures 23 m from north to south, its east–west dimensions being unclear. Its walls consist of two faces, the outer one of ashlars (60×45×60 cm), and the inner one, of dressed stones; the intervening fill is of small fieldstones. The walls, ca. 1 m thick, are extant to a height of one course. The entrance is in the northern wall. See the survey, SWP III: 393. See also Abel 1933–38 II: 352. 2 SRF 45; partially published in: Tal 1997: 277–278. 3 JSRF 19/19; partially published in: Tal 1997: 277–278. 1

349.1. Deir el-Ghawi, a rolling stone north of the complex.

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349.2. Deir el-Ghawi.

349.3. Deir el-Ghawi, a rolling stone at the eastern end of the church.

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350. Khirbet Zanuṭa (Ch. Zānūta; Kh. Zanouta; Zânûta; Kh. Zānūṭa) Ref. IOG: 14959 08657 Ref. ITM: 19959 58657 Ref. UTM: 68972 47237 The site is located on a hilltop, ca. 5 km south of the village of ed-Daheriya.1 To its northeast is the mosque of ʿOmer Ben Ḥaṭṭab (14×10.5 m), built of ashlars with marginal drafting. In its wall, a stone adorned with a cross, carved in relief, and two others with traces of a Greek inscription, of which only four letters were extant were observed. This led A.E. Mader to believe that the structure was initially a Byzantine church, later transformed into a mosque.2 Another survey also noted a stone with a Greek inscription; it is probably one of those mentioned by Mader.3 The mosque was apparently constructed of stones derived from the church that had occupied the site. Other architectural elements, probably of the same origin, include two columns (ca. 0.4 m in diameter), observed lying next to the mosque by surveyors at the end of the nineteenth century.4 Also of note were a stone bearing a Star of David and the fragment of a marble cornice in secondary use in the mosque walls.5 A Corinthian capital, a lintel adorned with three knobs, and other architectural elements were also observed at the site.6 A Late Roman ashlar-built tower (9.7×9.7 m) in the northwest of the site was excavated in 2004. The tower continued in use in the Byzantine and Early Islamic periods. After a period of abandonment the site was reoccupied; changes were made in the tower and structures were built around it.7 See the surveys: Guérin 1868–69 III: 200; SWP III: 410–411; Petrie 1891: 55; Mader 1918: 223–224; Kochavi 1972: 81, no. 245. See also: Abel 1933–38 II: 489; Ovadiah and de Silva 1984: 145, no. 46; Bagatti 2002b: 101; Tabula: 261. 2 Mader 1918: 223–224. 3 SRF 195. 4 SWP III: 410–411. 5 JSRF 31/19. 6 JSRF 31/19. 7 For the excavations, see Batz 2009. See also Magen 2008c: 218–219.

0

5

m

350.1. Kh. Zanuṭa, general plan of the tower and the structure in the northwest of the site.

1

350.2. Kh. Zanuṭa, tower western wall.

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351. Rafat (Kh. Rafat; Kh. er-Rafat; Ch. Rāfāt; Râfât) Ref. IOG: 15590 08841 Ref. ITM: 20590 58841 Ref. UTM: 69599 47434 The site, remains of a Byzantine settlement, is buried under a village ca. 1.5 km south of es-Samuʿ, on the ancient road passing south of Hebron.1 In A.E. Mader’s opinion, the mosque standing in the middle of the village at the end of the nineteenth and beginning of the twentieth century was originally a church. It was rectangular in plan (15.8×6.6 m), with an entrance in its northern wall.2 The mosque contained many architectural features that apparently derived from the church.3

See the surveys: Robinson and Smith 1841 II: 626; Guérin 1868–69 III: 195–196; Tristram 1882: 377–378; Petrie 1891: 55; Mader 1918: 218–219, Taf. VI:A; Kochavi 1972: 80, no. 239. See also: Ovadiah and de Silva 1984: 143, no. 40; Bagatti 2002b: 99; Tabula: 211. 2 Mader 1918: 218–219. 3 Tristram 1882: 377–378; Petrie 1891: 55; Mader 1918: 218–219. 1

352. Deir Rafat (Dēr Rāfāt; Deir Rāfāt) Ref. IOG: 15589 08780 Ref. ITM: 20589 58780 Ref. UTM: 69599 47373 The site is located on a hilltop ca. 0.5 km south of Kh. Rafat.1 Some believe that the complex found here comprises the foundations of a monastery. A cistern and a cave were also observed.2 A large oblong structure (40×30 paces; ca. 32×24 m) was observed. To its south a round stone (2 m in diameter, 0.9 m thick) was found,3 possibly a rolling stone.

See the surveys: Robinson and Smith 1841 II: 626; SWP III: 409; Mader 1918: 219. See also Bagatti 2002b: 99. 2 SWP III: 409. 3 Mader 1918: 219. 1

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353. Khirbet Tatrit (Ch. Ṭāṭre; Kh. Tatrīt) Ref. IOG: 14331 08397 Ref. ITM: 19331 58397 Ref. UTM: 68349 46965 The site, remains of a Byzantine settlement, spreads over two hilltops and a saddle on the ancient road between Hebron and Beʾer Shevaʿ.1 One survey observed a concentration of structures, some consisting of ashlars with marginal drafting. One of these structures exhibited a capital with a floral decoration.2 Another survey interpreted the ruins as a church.3 On the northern hilltop was a large structure (a church?), east–west in orientation; to its north was a cave. In addition, broken columns, a base, a capital, a lintel decorated with a row of arches, and tesserae were strewn about the site.4 See the surveys: Kochavi 1972: 81, no. 249; Ilan 1988–89: 6. See also: Avi-Yonah 1984: 180, no. 21; Tabula: 240. 2 Kochavi 1972: 81, no. 249. 3 Ilan 1988–89: 6. 4 JSRF 9/19.

1

353.2. Kh. Tatrit, column in secondary use.

353.1. Kh. Tatrit, remnants of the northern structure.

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353.3. Kh. Tatrit, the cave.

353.4. Kh. Tatrit, capital found at the site.

354. Khirbet Yattir (Kh. ʿAttir; Ch. ʿAttīr; Kh. Jatthir; ʾAttir) Ref. IOG: 15149 08466 Ref. ITM: 20149 58466 Ref. UTM: 69166 47050 The site, located on a hill in the Yattir Forest, has been identified with biblical Iether (Josh. 15:48); and with the village of Iethira (Ἰεθειρά), mentioned in Eusebius’ Onomasticon (On. 88:3; 108:2; 110:18) and appearing on the Madaba Mosaic Map.1 It was surveyed on numerous occasions,2 and excavations conducted there in 1995–1999 revealed two churches, one belonging to a monastery in the ancient village.3 The monastery church is on the west of the site. Basilical in plan, it comprises an atrium with two cisterns, a narthex, and a prayer hall. The atrium floor was covered in white mosaic. North of the atrium is a room that served as a chapel. The prayer hall is divided by two rows of six columns into a nave ending in an internal apse, and two aisles. The aisle mosaic floors are white with floral decorations in black and red. The nave floor exhibited two mosaic phases. A section of an earlier mosaic is preserved, with medallions formed of vine scrolls and figures of birds. The later mosaic consisted of 23 registers with magic symbols, initials of sacred names (nomina sacra), and crosses.

The apse mosaic is decorated in a geometric pattern. The church contained column bases and capitals, some adorned with crosses. Some of the capitals were Nabatean (first century CE), in secondary use. A twelve-line Greek inscription was found in the

354.1. Kh. Yattir, capital adorned with an amphora.

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0

354.2. Kh. Yattir, general plan of the late phase of the monastery church.

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nave mosaic. It mentions the monastery’s abbot, and includes the date according to the calendar of the city of Elusa (631/632 CE). A six-line inscription was found in the atrium mosaic; it dates to 588/589 CE.4 A larger church was located in the middle of the site. It was northeast–southwest in orientation, owing to the narrowness of the bedrock shelf on which it was erected. Its poor state of preservation made it impossible to reconstruct its plan in full. It comprised an atrium with a cistern, and a narthex with three openings to the prayer hall (the latter more than 12 m long). The hall, divided into a nave and two aisles, exhibited two mosaic stages. The earlier, colorful mosaic in the nave featured geometric motifs and figures of birds. It was later replaced by a white mosaic. The narthex and atrium were also paved in white mosaics. In the Early Islamic period, the mosaics were covered with a layer of plaster. In the

354.4. Kh. Yattir, chancel screen fragment found at the site.

southern aisle, the mosaic carpet contained a fourline Greek inscription, including the names of priestly personnel and an indecipherable date. Pilaster capitals, broken columns, and Corinthian capitals were strewn about the church. Based on the finds, the excavators determined that it remained in use until the ninth or tenth century CE.5 Earlier surveys discovered a capital adorned with an amphora and a bronze incense burner with three suspension chains amidst ruins called el-Keniseh, in the area of Kh. Yattir.6 The reference is apparently to one of the above-described churches. A survey conducted in 1982 noted a chancel screen post and the fragment of a chancel screen panel, deriving from one of the churches, in secondary use in the tomb of Sheikh ʿAttir, in the north of the site.7 Concerning the site identification, see: Thomsen 1907: 71; Abel 1933–38 II: 321; Avi-Yonah 1954: 72–73; 1976: 70; Tabula: 151–152. Avi-Yonah differentiates between Jethira (On. 88:3) and Iether (On. 108:2), stating that it is Jethira that appears on the Madaba Map; see Avi-Yonah 1954: 72. 2 See the surveys: Guérin 1868–69 III: 197–199; Tristram 1882: 374–375; Petrie 1890: 240; Mader 1918: 224; ESI 1982d: 93–94; Meshel, Ben Yosef and Dror 1987: 50–53; Ilan 1991: 300–301. See also: Bagatti 1960–61: 304–305; 2002b: 102; Avi-Yonah 1984: 114; Schwartz 1986: 106–107; Safrai 1994: 28. 3 For the excavations, see: Eshel et al. 1999; Eshel, Magness and Shenhav 2000a; 2000b. 4 Eshel, Magness and Shenhav 2000b: 158–163. 5 Eshel, Magness and Shenhav 2000b: 163–167. 6 SRF 10. 7 SHJ 136/14/1. 1

354.3. Kh. Yattir, chancel screen post in secondary use in the Sheikh ʿAttir tomb.

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355. Khirbet el-Kharabe (Kh. el-Kharaba; Kh. Churābe; El Khŭrâbeh; Kh. el-Khārābe) Ref. IOG: 15834 08615 Ref. ITM: 20834 58615 Ref. UTM: 69848 47213 The site is located on a spur north of the Yattir Forest, ca. 2 km northeast of Ghuweine el-Fawqa.1 It revealed the sparse remains of a church built of ashlars, including one adorned with a cross inside a circle.2

See the surveys: Guérin 1868–69 III: 194–195; SWP III: 408; Mader 1918: 219. See also: Ovadiah and de Silva 1984: 140, no. 29; Bagatti 2002b: 101; Tabula: 104. 2 Guérin 1868–69 III: 194–195; Mader 1918: 219. 1

356. Ghuweine el-Fawqa (Ghuwein el-Fôka; Kh. Ghuwein esh-Sharkiye el-Fauqa; Ch. șuwēn el-Fōḳ a; Ghuwēn esh-Scharḳ īje; Ghuwein esh-Sharqiye; Ch. șuwēn esch-Scharḳ īje; Kh. Rhouene ech-Charkieh; Kh. Ghuweima) Ref. IOG: 15747 08528 Ref. ITM: 20747 58528 Ref. UTM: 69763 47124 This site extends over both banks of Naḥal ʿAnim, 3.5 km southeast of Rafat. It has been identified with the village of Anaea (Άναιά), described in Eusebius’ Onomasticon as a Christian settlement lying alongside a Jewish village of the same name (On. 26:9, 14).1 It has been surveyed on numerous occasions, and structures, caves, winepresses, oil presses,

cisterns, and the vestiges of an ancient road between Kh. el-Qaryatein and Kh. Yattir-Iethira have all been observed.2 In the north of the site, near the hilltop, were the remains of a structure which the surveyors identified as a church. It was built of ashlars (the stones measured ca. 1×0.5×0.5 m; the walls were ca. 1 m thick). Adjoining the structure were a cistern

356.1. Ghuweine el-Fawqa, column found at the site.

356.2. Ghuweine el-Fawqa, column base in secondary use.

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and the fragment of a column.3 Another survey noted numerous architectural elements strewn about the ground that apparently derived from the church, e.g., columns, capitals, and bases.4 Concerning the site identification, see: Thomsen 1907: 22; Avi-Yonah 1976: 28; Bagatti 2002b: 101; Tabula: 62.

1

See the surveys: Guérin 1868–69 III: 192–194; SWP III: 408; Mader 1918: 219; Kochavi 1972: 81, no. 248; Meshel, Ben Yosef and Dror 1987: 62–65, no. 51; Baruch 1999: 179. See also: Bagatti 1960–61: 304–305; Ovadiah and de Silva 1984: 142, no. 35; Avi-Yonah 1984: 115. 3 Meshel, Ben Yosef and Dror 1987: 62–65, no. 51. 4 JSRF 38/19. 2

357. Khallat Abu Ḍabaḥ (Khallat Abū Ḍabaḥ; Khallet Abu Dhabakh) Ref. IOG: 15809 08538 Ref. ITM: 20809 58538 Ref. UTM: 69824 47135 The site is located on a hillslope ca. 05 km east of Ghuweine el-Fawqa. Remains of a complex that included a basilica church (21×11 m) with a wing to its north were surveyed.1 It can apparently be identified as a Byzantine monastery. It was built of ashlars (the walls are extant to a height of three to four courses).

One can distinguish the western wall of the narthex, as well as an interior wall with an opening (1.2 m wide) in the middle whose doorposts are in situ. The prayer hall had several columns, two of which were in situ (one being the southwestern column of the bema with a channel for the chancel screen). The church has

357.1. Khallat Abu Ḍabaḥ, the church apse, view from the northeast.

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a single external apse (2 m deep, 5 m in diameter). The church yielded two lintels. One, unusually large (1.9×0.6 m), apparently served in the narthex’s main opening, and was adorned with three Maltese crosses inside circles (0.2 m in diameter)—all enclosed by a rectangular frame (1.5×0.4 m). The other lintel was smaller (1.6×0.6 m); it evidently served in the main entrance from the narthex to the prayer hall. South of the church were numerous stones in the debris, including broken columns, one featuring a channel for the chancel screen, and an ashlar engraved with a Maltese cross. A column base and building stones with marginal drafting were also observed. Some 10 m northwest of the church were several

ashlar-built walls; they apparently were part of another wing of the complex. One of its rooms contained the opening of a cistern and, next to it, a hewn trough. East of the church was a cave. Northeast of the site were the remains of an ancient road that ran in a northeasterly direction; it was 2–4 m wide, and was bordered on either side by rows of large fieldstones.

357.2. Khallat Abu Ḍabaḥ, stone lintel adorned with crosses.

357.4. Khallat Abu Ḍabaḥ, ashlar adorned with a cross.

357.3. Khallat Abu Ḍabaḥ, column found at the site.

357.5. Khallat Abu Ḍabaḥ, column base found at the site.

Meshel, Ben Yosef and Dror 1987: 65–66, no. 52; this site appears on the survey as map reference IOG: 1583/0854. The description indicates that it was also surveyed on behalf of the Staff Officer of Archaeology—Civil Administration of Judea and Samaria, and registered as “an unnamed site east of Kh. Ghuweine el-Fawqa”; see JSRF 39/19. See also Tabula: 166.

1

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358. Khirbet Umm el-Qaryatein (Kh. ʿUm el-Qaryatein; Kh. Muʿeiyid; Kh. Muʿayyid; Ḥ. ʿAmude Qerayot) Ref. IOG: 16150 08480 Ref. ITM: 21150 58480 Ref. UTM: 70166 47084 The site, a coenobitic monastery, is located on a hilltop ca. 1 km north of Kh. el-Qaryatein. It is a rectangular structure (24.7×21.5–18.5­ m) erected around a central courtyard; the entrance was in its northern wall. In the structure’s northwestern corner is a tower that originally rose to a height of two to three stories. One of its rooms contained a baptismal font. Dwelling cells were built along the southern and

eastern walls of the courtyard. Nearby were a cistern and two caves for storage and burial. A watchtower stood north of the monastery, on the path leading to it. Marble fragments, a lintel adorned with a cross and a tabula ansata, tesserae, and broken tiles were strewn about the site.1 See the survey, Hirschfeld 1988–89b. See also: Hirschfeld 1990: 68, no. 64; Bagatti 2002b: 102; Tabula: 209.

1

359. Khirbet el-Qaryatein (Kh. el-Kureitein; Kh. el-Keritein; Ch. el-Ḳ arjatēn; el-Kuryetein; Tel Qerayot; Tel Qeriyyot; Ḥ. Qerayot) Ref. IOG: 16182 08383 Ref. ITM: 21182 58383 Ref. UTM: 70200 46988 The site, remains of a Byzantine settlement, extends over a hill and a saddle on the north of the Har ʿAmasa Reserve. It was surveyed on numerous occasions,1 and excavations were conducted in 1991.2 On the west of the site, a basilical church (25×13 m), of ashlars with marginal drafting, was observed. It included an atrium (13×13 m).3 The church was only partly cleared, but the excavations revealed that the prayer hall ended in an apse. The bema floor was paved in a colorful mosaic decorated with geometric patterns, including meanders, wave crests, and medallions whose frames consisted of guilloche, as well as floral motifs. The medallions enclosed zoomorphic figures that were iconoclastically defaced in the Early Islamic period. A cross in the middle of the apse mosaic floor was similarly defaced. The prayer hall was paved in a wholly preserved mosaic floor decorated with medallions consisting of vine scrolls springing from

an amphora; they enclosed zoomorphic figures that were iconoclastically defaced. White tesserae were observed amidst the rubble of the upper story. The site also yielded broken roofing tiles, pieces of red and green plaster, column bases, cross-adorned capitals, and fragments of chancel screen panels and posts.4 Another survey noted other architectural elements strewn about the site and incorporated into later structures.5 See the surveys: Guérin 1868–69 III: 180–181; SWP III: 409; Mader 1918: 219–220. See also: Abel 1933–38 II: 417; Ovadiah 1970: 111, no. 108; Bagatti 2002b: 102; Tabula: 209. 2 For the church excavations, see: Govrin 1993; Derfler and Govrin 1993; Derfler 2003. For the excavations of the burial cave on the site, see: Zelin 2001a. 3 Mader 1918: 219–220. 4 Govrin 1993. 5 JSRF 34/19. 1

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360. Masada—Monastery of Marda Ref. IOG: 18336 08041 Ref. ITM: 23336 58041 Ref. UTM: 72361 46689

The monastery of Marda, a laura, was established by Euthymius in 422 CE. Cyril states that Euthymius and a young monk named Domitian left the monastery of Theoctistus and went to the wilderness of Rouba. From there they continued along the Dead Sea shore, arriving at a high mountain that was separated from the other mountains, known as Mardas. After building a church and erecting an altar there, they left and went into the wilderness of Ziph (Life of Euthymius 11, 21–22).1

Many scholars disagree regarding the identification of the monastery. Some identified it, based on the similarity of the names, with Kh. el-Mird (Hyrcania). It is currently identified with the Byzantine monastery discovered at Masada.2 The monastery, excavated in 1963–1965, is built in the ruins of Herodian structures. A church complex was uncovered northeast of the western palace, with a long prayer hall and an inner apse (inner dimensions

0

360.1. Masada—monastery of Marda, general plan of the church complex.

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0

360.2. Masada—monastery of Marda, general plan of the service buildings.

[305]

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of the latter two, 10×4.8 m) as its main elements. In the west is a narthex, and there are two adjacent rooms (a diaconicon and an elongated hall) northwest of the prayer hall. A courtyard surrounded by a wall lies east and north of the church. The narthex mosaic is of white tesserae. The prayer hall mosaic floor, almost completely destroyed, contains a colorful guilloche. The diaconicon has a colorful mosaic floor, preserved in its entirety, decorated with medallions containing floral motifs and fruit. The site contained a refectory, storerooms, dwelling cells, and dwelling caves for the monks.3

See also Di Segni 2005a: 87. Concerning the site identification with Masada, see: Lagrange 1894: 271–272; Delau 1899–1900: 280–281, 290; Abel 1933– 38 II: 380; Chitty 1966: 83–84; Hirschfeld 1989b: 262–263; 1990: 53–55, no. 35; Tabula: 178–179 (Marda Mons), 180– 181 (Masada). Concerning the identification with Kh. el-Mird, see: SWP II: 184; Vailhé 1900: 38–39, no. 72; Mader 1929: 130–131; Schneider 1931: 251; de Vaux 1959: 253–254. 3 For the excavation, see: Yadin 1965: 24–25, 99–102; 1966: 111–112; Netzer 1991: 361–369. See the surveys: Conder 1875: 133–138; SWP III: 420–421; Lagrange 1894; Abel 1911: 122–123; Schneider 1931; Hirschfeld 1990: 50. See also: Ovadiah 1970: 137–138, no. 139; Hirschfeld 1992: 49–52; 2001–02.

1 2

361. Khirbet Ḥur (Kh. Ḥura; Kh. Hôra; Kh. Hhora; Kh. Ḥaura; Ḥ. Ḥur; Tell-Hora) Ref. IOG: 14330 07705 Ref. ITM: 19330 57705 Ref. UTM: 68362 46273 The site, remains of a Roman-Byzantine settlement, is located on two hills south of the Yattir Forest, ca. 15 km north of Beʾer Shevaʿ. It was surveyed on a number of occasions, and a salvage excavation was conducted there in 1998.1 Two churches were discovered: one in the ancient settlement, the other, outside its boundaries. The latter was erected on the plateau in the south of the site, probably outside the settlement’s defensive wall. Its walls bear traces of plaster mixed with sherds. The church was fronted by a square atrium (22×22 m) with an opening in the northwestern corner and a cistern in the middle. Along the north of the atrium were two rooms (7×5 m and 6×5 m), and to its west, another room (7×5 m). The narthex (19×4 m) was west of the atrium. The prayer hall (26×13.5 m) was divided into a nave ending in an internal apse, and two

aisles. Remains of a mosaic floor were found in the middle of the hall, while a limestone floor adjoined its southern wall. The fragment of a marble chancel screen panel bearing a decoration was found next to the church’s northern wall. North of the church were auxiliary rooms and courtyards.2 The other church was located on the northeast of the site (ITM: 19355/57720). Its walls were 1 m wide. The atrium was rectangular (27×23 m), with an opening in its northeastern corner and a cistern in the center. Six square rooms (each ca. 3.5×3.5 m) were built to its north and south. West of the atrium were the narthex (20×5 m) and a rectangular prayer hall (25×19 m). Four square rooms (each 4.5×4.5 m) were built north of the hall.3 Another complex was identified as a monastery; its plan appeared in the site description. The complex

[306]

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included a long structure, east–west in orientation, possibly a church. A courtyard adjoined its southeastern corner, and a row of rooms ran along the west of the courtyard. The location of this complex in the site is unclear.4

For the excavations, see: Ein Gedi 2001; Zelin 2001b. See the surveys: Tristram 1882: 373; SWP III: 396–397; Woolley and Lawrence 1914–15: 48–49; ESI 1983b: 84; Govrin 1991: 55–60, nos. 60–63. See also Tabula: 148. 2 Govrin 1991: 55–56, no. 61. 3 Govrin 1991: 56–57, no. 63, Fig. 3. 4 Govrin 1991: 58, Fig. 2. 1

0

361.1. Kh. Ḥur, general plan of the northeastern church complex.

0

361.2. Kh. Ḥur, general plan of the monastery.

[307]

10 m

10 m

Corpus of Christian sites

362. Tell es-Saʿwa (Tel es-Saʿwa; Tell el Sawa; Tel Yeshuaʿ) Ref. IOG: 14906 07611 Ref. ITM: 19906 57611 Ref. UTM: 68940 46190 The site, a coenobitic monastery, is located on a hilltop ca. 4 km southeast of Kh. Ḥur.1 The monastery complex (53×40 m) is built around a central courtyard in whose middle is a cistern. There is a row of rooms (52×10 m) west of the courtyard. Another wing, north of the courtyard, is divided into two rooms, one measuring 9×4 m. East of the courtyard is the monastery church. South of the church is a rectangular room (14×10 m) whose northwestern and southwestern corners are adjoined by square rooms (4×4 m). South of the complex is another rectangular courtyard (30×25 m); it is enclosed by a wall, and a cistern is located in its south.2

A survey conducted at the beginning of the twentieth century describes the monastery church as basilical in plan with a single apse. The prayer hall was divided into a nave and two aisles, and the church floor was paved in white mosaic.3 See the surveys: Woolley and Lawrence 1914–15: 47; Meshel, Ben Yosef and Dror 1987: 103, no. 306; Govrin 1991: 88–89, no. 125. See also: Ovadiah 1970: 179, no. 176; Bagatti 2002b: 112; Tabula: 245. 2 Govrin 1991: 88, Fig. 2. 3 Woolley and Lawrence 1914–15: 47.

1

0

362. Tell es-Saʿwa, general plan of the monastery.

[308]

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Corpus of Christian sites

363. Khirbet Saʿwa (Kh. Sàweh; Ḥ. Soʿa) Ref. IOG: 14875 07559 Ref. ITM: 19875 57559 Ref. UTM: 68910 46138 The site is located on top of a steep hill ca. 1 km south of Tell es-Saʿwa.1 Remains of a complex were surveyed in its south. The complex was identified as a fortress from the time of Bar-Kokhba.2 A later survey identified the complex as a monastery. The rectangular complex (38×25 m) was built around a central courtyard (17.5×13.5 m). A series of rooms were built along the courtyard’s eastern and northern sides. North of the complex stood a church (40×19 m). A narrow corridor (8×2.5 m) led from the central courtyard to the church. The prayer hall floor was paved in small tesserae of various colors. Three rooms (each ca. 5 m wide) ran along the church’s western wall. There was another church entrance in

the north; next to it was a square tower (8×8 m). The church and the complex to its south were built of large stones (extant to a height of ca. 2 m). Building stones and architectural elements in secondary use were observed in the watchtower in the middle of the site, e.g., quadrangular capitals, one adorned on all four sides with crosses inside circles, the others adorned with large triangles.3 See the surveys: SWP III: 409–410; Meshel, Ben Yosef and Dror 1987: 102–103, no. 304; Govrin 1991: 97–99, no. 150. See also Tabula: 234. 2 Meshel, Ben Yosef and Dror 1987: 102–103, no. 304. 3 Govrin 1991: 97–99, no. 150.

1

0 0

363. Kh. Saʿwa, general plan of the monastery.

[309]

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364. Khirbet el-Quṣ eife (Kh. Kuseifa; . Kseife; el-Ksēfe; El-kusēfe; Kuseifeh; Ḥ. Kasif) Ref. IOG: 15635 07385 Ref. ITM: 20635 57385 Ref. UTM: 69673 45979 The site is located on a hill in the northern Negev, near the ancient road leading south from Hebron. It has been posited to be the settlement of Malathis Oppidum, mentioned by Hieronymus in his translation of the Onomasticon (Hieronymus, On. 15:2). It was not far from the Roman fortress of Malatha (Mαλαθά; Ant. 18:147), identified with Tell el-Milh, ca. 7 km southwest of Kh. el-Quṣeife.1 Surveys undertaken at the beginning of the twentieth century identified three churches, and salvage excavations in 1997 exposed a Byzantine residential layer.2 The first church, on the northwest of the site, was surveyed by A.E. Mader. In his opinion, it belonged to a monastery. Basilical in plan (21×12.4 m), it was ashlar built. The entrance to the narthex (12.4×4 m) was on the west, and a cistern was located in the latter’s southwestern corner. The prayer hall, with openings in the west, north, and south, was divided into a nave (6 m wide) and two aisles (each 3.2 m

0

6

m

364.2. Kh. el-Quṣeife, general plan of the northwestern church.

364.1. Kh. el-Quṣeife, northwestern church apse, view from the southwest.

[310]

Corpus of Christian sites

364.3. Kh. el-Quṣeife, northwestern church.

364.4. Kh. el-Quṣeife, remains of the church at the center of the site.

[311]

Corpus of Christian sites

wide) by two rows of six columns (2.6 m apart). The columns (0.5 m in diameter) were in situ. The internal apse (3.2 m deep, 5 m in diameter) was flanked by two pastophoria (2.6×2.3 m). North of the church was an oblong hall (27.6×5.8 m) and another room adjoined the church’s southeastern corner.3 The church description in the Mandatory Archive (IAA Archive) differs slightly from that of Mader. According to the former, the hall north of the church joined the narthex, thereby creating a passage along two sides of the church. On the east of the church, a segment of a colorful mosaic with designs was found, in addition to fragments of a colorful fresco, and a capital bearing a cross on one of its sides.4 The church was completely dismantled in 1945, its building stones taken for secondary use, and no trace of it remains. Remains of the second church were found at the center of the site. It had a single apse with a pastophorium to its north. Many of the church’s building stones had been removed. A rectangular room, apparently a tower, and other additions, adjoined the structure’s northeastern corner. On the basis of the additions, the surveyors deemed that the church had been part of a monastery.5 The third church was in the south of the site. Mader describes it as basilical in plan (21×12.4 m), ashlar built, and provided with a narthex (12.4×3.7 m), entered from the west. The prayer hall, also entered from the west, was divided into a nave (6 m wide)

364.5. Kh. el-Quṣeife, architectural element adorned with a cross, found at the northwestern church.

0

6

m

364.6. Kh. el-Quṣeife, general plan of the southern church.

and two aisles (each 3.2 m wide) by two rows of six columns (2.5 m apart). Two of the columns were in situ. The nave, ending in an internal apse (3.25 m deep, 5.25 m in diameter), was flanked by two pastophoria (each 3.2×2.5 m).6 There was no trace of mosaics, but E. Palmer, who examined the church towards the end of the nineteenth century, found remains of a multicolored opus sectile floor.7 Remains of an atrium west of the church were reported in the Mandatory Archive (IAA Archive). A rectangular room (10×7 m), apparently a tower, attached to the church’s southwestern corner was reported. A capital (0.5×0.3 m) was found amidst the ruins; it resembled the one in the northern church, except that it was undecorated.8

[312]

Corpus of Christian sites

Concerning the site identification, see: Avi-Yonah 1976: 78 (Malatha); Tabula: 169. 2 For the excavation, see Israel and Schuster 2000. See the surveys: Guérin 1868–69 III: 188; Palmer 1871: 41; SWP III: 411; Blanckenhorn 1895; Musil 1908: 17–19; Mader 1918: 225–228; Govrin 1985. See also: Ovadiah 1970: 121–122, nos. 119–121; Avi-Yonah 1984: 169; Bagatti 2002b: 103. 1

Mader 1918: 225–228, Fig. 11, Taf. VI:B; Ovadiah 1970: 121, no. 119. 4 SRF 126. 5 SRF 126; Ovadiah 1970: 122, no. 120. 6 Mader 1918: 225–228, Fig. 12; Ovadiah 1970: 122, no. 121. 7 Palmer 1871: 41. 8 SRF 126. 3

364.7. Kh. el-Quṣeife, remains of the southern church.

[313]

Corpus of Christian sites

List of sites by number No.

Site

No.

Site

No.

Site

165

Ni ʿana, Kh.

194

224

166

El-Miṣbah, Kh.

167

El-Laṭaṭin, Kh.

Khan el-Aḥmar— monastery of Euthymius Handoma, Kh.

168

ʿImwas

169

Deir el-Azhar

170

Beit Surik

171

Motza

172

Ramat Polin

173

El-Maṣani ʿ, Kh.

174

Givʿat Shappira

175

Sheikh Badr, Kh.

176

Jerusalem, Third Wall

177

Ras el-ʿAmud

178

Scopus (East), Mt.

179

Ras Abu-Subeitan

180

ʿEin Kerem

181 182

Monastery of the Holy Cross Y.M.C.A. Monastery

183

197

Deir Mukallik— monastery of Theoctistus ʿEin Abu Maḥmud

198

Beth Shemesh, Tel

199

Es-Suyyagh, Kh.

200

Deiry, Kh.

201

ʿEin el-Jedide

229

Deir Dosi—monastery of Theodosius Jinjas, Kh.— Heptastomos El-Munṭar, Kh.— monastery of Scholarius Ez-Zaraniq, Kh.— monastery of Jeremias El-Makhrum, Kh.— monastery of Theognius Juhzum, Kh.

202

ʿEin el- Ḥanniya

230

El-Burj

203

Beit Ṣafafa

231

Deir Mar Saba

204

Naḥal Qidron

232

205

El-Jiljil, Kh.

206

Beit Jimal

207

Deir ʿAsfur

208

ʿEin Faṭṭir, Kh.

209

Deir Abu ʿAli

210

El-Qabu

235

Ras el-Baquq—The Small Coenobium Bir el-Qaṭṭar— monastery of the Cave El-Mird—monastery of Castellion Sokho, Ḥ.

Gan ha-Aẓmaʿut

211

Beit Jala

236

Beit Nattif

184

Mamilla

212

Kathisma Church

237

ʿEin el-Keniseh, Kh.

185

Naḥal Qidron—Tomb of the Virgin Mount of Olives, the Greek Church Mount of Olives

213

Ramat Raḥel

238

Umm er-Rus, Kh.

239

Roglit

214

Umm Leisun, Kh.

240

Midras, Ḥ.

215

Bureikut, Kh.

241

Ẓur, Kh.

216

El-Harazan, Kh.

242

Ḥubeila, Kh.

217

Abu-Ghunneim, Kh.

243

Beit Sakariyye, Kh.

218

Luqa, Kh.

244

219

Bir el-Qutt

Marsi ʿ, Kh.

245

Herodion

186 187 188

195 196

225 226 227 228

233 234

189

Jerusalem, Ketef Hinnom Abu Tor

190

El-ʿEizariya

220

Umm el-ʿAṣafir, Kh.

246

Ṣafa, Kh.

191

Burj el-Aḥmar

221

Siyar el-Ghanam, Kh.

247

Bureikut, Kh.

192

El-Khirbe

222

Church of the Nativity

248

Beit Shaʿar

193

El-Muraṣṣaṣ, Kh.— monastery of Martyrius

223

Beit Sahur—Shepherds’ Field

249

Khureitun, Kh.— monastery of Chariton

[315]

Corpus of Christian sites

No.

Site

No.

Site

No.

Site

250

ʿEin es-Sakhari

282

Ed-Duweir, Kh.

315

Istabul, Kh.

251

ʿEin Dab, Kh.

283

Qaṣr Khalife

316

ʿEin Abu Khashabah, Kh.

252

Judur, Kh.

284

Qaṣra, Ḥ.

317

Umm Rukba, Kh.

253

ʿAsida, Kh.

285

El-Firʿa, Kh.

318

Samrah, Kh.

254

Kufin, Kh.

286

En-Naṣara, Kh.

319

Abu Sihwaile, Kh.

255

Beit Zi ʿte, Kh.

287

Ed-Deir, Kh.

320

Beit Mirsim

256

El-ʿArub, Kh.

288

Firjas, Kh.

321

El-Bira

257

Beit Fajjar

289

El-Muraq, Kh.

322

Kafr Jul, Kh.

258

Tekoaʿ, Kh.

290

ʿEin el-Maʿamudieh

323

Duma

259

Qaṣr Abu Leimun

291

Ed-Deir, Kh.

324

Karze

260

Qaṣr ʿAntar

292

Sarasir, Kh.

325

Umm el-ʿAmed, Kh.

261

Rabi ʿa, Kh.

293

Ḥakura, Kh.

326

Beit ʿAmra, Kh.

262

Umm el-ʿAmed, Kh.

294

Rumeida, Tell

327

El-Munṭar, Kh.

263

Er-Rubei ʿa, Kh.

295

Hebron

328

Yaṭṭa

264

Bir el-Waʿar

296

Bani Naʿim

329

Khureise, Kh.

265

Et-Tina, Kh.

297

Wadi el-Ḥammam

330

Umm el-ʿAmed, Kh.

266

298

El-Qaṣrein

331

El-Buweib, Kh.

267

El-Quṣeir, Kh.— Sousakim Muʿarrash Baʿra, Kh.

299

Ed-Deir, Kh.

332

ʿEin el-Skhaniya

268

Beit ʿAlam, Kh.

300

Beit ʿAwwa

333

Khallat el-Meiya, Kh.

269

Idnaʾ

301

Dura

334

Ed-Deirat, Kh.

270

Tarqumiyya

302

El-Ḥarayiq, Kh.

335

El-Quneiṭira, Kh.

271

Eṭ-Ṭayyibe, Kh.

303

Es-Sikke

336

Es-Simye, Kh.

272

Es-Ṣafa, Kh.

304

Ṭawas, Kh.

337

Majdal Baʿ, Kh.

273

ʿEin edh-Dhirwe

305

Kharase

338

El-ʿUzeiz, Kh.

274

Ḥalḥul

306

Qilkis, Kh.

339

El-Karmil, Kh.

275

Iṣḥa, Kh.

307

Umm Ḥalasa, Kh.

340

Ed-Daheriya

276

Daḥ-daḥ, Kh.

308

El-Qaṣr, Kh.

341

Ed-Deir, Kh.

277

Ramet el-ʿAmle

309

Deir el-ʿAsal et-Taḥta

342

Shuweike, Kh.

278

Ramet el-Khalil

310

Bism, Kh.

343

Deir esh-Shams, Kh.

279

Zeita, Kh.

311

Deir Raziḥ, Kh.

344

Deir el-Lauz, Kh.

280

Beit ʿAnun, Kh.

312

El-Jawf, Kh.

345

ʿAnab el-Kabir, Kh.

281

Abu Rish, Kh.

313

Er-Riḥiya

346

Rujm Jureida

314

Zif, Tell

347

Umm Deimine, Kh.

[316]

Corpus of Christian sites

No.

Site

No.

Site

No.

Site

348

Deir el-Hawa

354

Yattir, Kh.

360

349

Deir el-Ghawi

355

El-Kharabe, Kh.

350

Zanuṭa, Kh.

356

Ghuweine el-Fawqa

361

Masada—monastery of Marda Ḥur, Kh.

351

Rafat

357

Khallat Abu Ḍabaḥ

362

Es-Saʿwa, Tell

352

Deir Rafat

358

Umm el-Qaryatein, Kh.

363

Saʿwa, Kh.

353

Tatrit, Kh.

359

El-Qaryatein, Kh.

364

El-Quṣeife, Kh.

[317]

Corpus of Christian sites

List of sites by name Site

No.

Site

No.

Site

No.

Abu-Ghunneim, Kh.

217

Daḥ-daḥ, Kh.

276

ʿEin el-Maʿamudieh

290

Abu Rish, Kh.

281

Deir Abu ʿAli

209

ʿEin el-Skhaniya

332

Abu Sihwaile, Kh.

319

Deir ʿAsfur

207

ʿEin es-Sakhari

250

Abu Tor

189

224

ʿEin Faṭṭir, Kh.

208

ʿAnab el-Kabir, Kh.

345

180

253

309

ʿEin Kerem

ʿAsida, Kh.

Deir Dosi—monastery of Theodosius Deir el-ʿAsal et-Taḥta

256

296

169

El-ʿArub, Kh.

Bani Naʿim

Deir el-Azhar

321

268

349

El-Bira

Beit ʿAlam, Kh.

Deir el-Ghawi

326

348

230

Beit ʿAmra, Kh.

Deir el-Hawa

El-Burj El-Buweib, Kh.

331

Beit ʿAnun, Kh.

280

Deir el-Lauz, Kh.

344

El-ʿEizariya

190

Beit ʿAwwa

300

Deir esh-Shams, Kh.

343

El-Firʿa, Kh.

285

Beit Fajjar

257

Deir Mar Saba

231

El-Ḥarayiq, Kh.

302

Beit Jala

211

El-Harazan, Kh.

216

Beit Jimal

206

El-Jawf, Kh.

312

Beit Mirsim

320

Deir Mukallik— 196 monastery of Theoctistus Deir Rafat 352

El-Jiljil, Kh.

205

Beit Nattif

236

El-Karmil, Kh.

339

Beit Ṣafafa

203

El-Kharabe, Kh.

355

El-Khirbe

192

El-Laṭaṭin, Kh.

167

El-Makhrum, Kh.— monastery of Theognius El-Maṣani ʿ, Kh.

228

El-Mird—monastery of Castellion El-Miṣbah, Kh.

234

El-Munṭar, Kh.

327

Beit Sahur—Shepherds’ 223 Field Beit Sakariyye, Kh. 243

Deir Raziḥ, Kh.

311

Deiry, Kh.

200

Duma

323

Dura

301

Ed-Daheriya

340

Ed-Deir, Kh.

287

Ed-Deir, Kh.

291

Ed-Deir, Kh.

299

Ed-Deir, Kh.

341

Beit Shaʿar

248

Beit Surik

170

Beit Zi ʿte, Kh.

255

Beth Shemesh, Tel

198

Bir el-Qaṭṭar— monastery of the Cave Bir el-Qutt

233

Ed-Deirat, Kh.

334

Ed-Duweir, Kh.

282

219

ʿEin Abu Khashabah, Kh. 316

Bir el-Waʿar

264

ʿEin Abu Maḥmud

197

Bism, Kh.

310

ʿEin Dab, Kh.

251

Bureikut, Kh.

215

ʿEin edh-Dhirwe

273

Bureikut, Kh.

247

ʿEin el-Ḥanniya

Burj el-Aḥmar

191

Church of the Nativity

222

173

166

El-Munṭar, Kh.— 226 monastery of Scholarius El-Muraq, Kh. 289 193

202

El-Muraṣṣaṣ, Kh.— monastery of Martyrius El-Qabu

ʿEin el-Jedide

201

El-Qaryatein, Kh.

359

ʿEin el-Keniseh, Kh.

237

El-Qaṣr, Kh.

308

[318]

210

Corpus of Christian sites

Site

No.

Site

No.

Site

El-Qaṣrein

298

188

El-Quneiṭira, Kh.

335

El-Quṣeife, Kh.

364

Jerusalem, Ketef Hinnom Jerusalem, Third Wall

176

Naḥal Qidron—Tomb of 185 the Virgin 165 Ni ʿana, Kh.

El-Quṣeir, Kh.— Sousakim El-ʿUzeiz, Kh.

266

225

Qaṣr Abu Leimun

259

Qaṣr ʿAntar

260

338

Jinjas, Kh.— Heptastomos Judur, Kh.

283

286

229

Qaṣr Khalife

En-Naṣara, Kh.

Juhzum, Kh.

313

322

284

Er-Riḥiya

Kafr Jul, Kh.

Qaṣra, Ḥ.

263

324

306

Er-Rubei ʿa, Kh.

Karze

Qilkis, Kh.

261

272

212

Rabi ʿa, Kh.

Es-Ṣafa, Kh.

Kathisma Church

Rafat

351

Es-Saʿwa, Tell

362

Khallat Abu Ḍabaḥ

357

Ramat Polin

172

Es-Sikke

303

Khallat el-Meiya, Kh.

333

Ramat Raḥel

213

Es-Simye, Kh.

336

Ramet el-ʿAmle

277

Es-Suyyagh, Kh.

199

Ramet el-Khalil

278

Eṭ-Ṭayyibe, Kh.

271

Khan el-Aḥmar— 194 monastery of Euthymius Kharase 305

Ras Abu-Subeitan

179

Et-Tina, Kh.

265

Ras el-ʿAmud

177

Ez-Zaraniq, Kh.— monastery of Jeremias Firjas, Kh.

227

Ras el-Baquq—The Small Coenobium Roglit

232

Gan ha-Aẓmaʿut

183

Rujm Jureida

346

Ghuweine el-Fawqa

356

Rumeida, Tell

294

Givʿat Shappira

174

Ṣafa, Kh.

246

Ḥakura, Kh.

293

Samrah, Kh.

318

Ḥalḥul

274

Sarasir, Kh.

292

Handoma, Kh.

195

Saʿwa, Kh.

363

Hebron

295

Scopus (East), Mt.

178

Herodion

245

Sheikh Badr, Kh.

175

Ḥubeila, Kh.

242

Shuweike, Kh.

342

Ḥur, Kh.

361

Siyar el-Ghanam, Kh.

221

Idnaʾ

269

ʿImwas

168

Iṣḥa, Kh. Istabul, Kh.

252

No.

Khureise, Kh.

329

Khureitun, Kh.— monastery of Chariton Kufin, Kh.

249

Luqa, Kh.

218

Majdal Baʿ, Kh.

337

Mamilla

184

Marsi ʿ, Kh.

244

Masada—monastery of Marda Midras, Ḥ.

360

Monastery of the Holy Cross Motza

181

Mount of Olives

187 186

Sokho, Ḥ.

235

Tarqumiyya

270

275

Mount of Olives, the Greek Church Muʿarrash Baʿra, Kh.

267

Tatrit, Kh.

353

315

Naḥal Qidron

204

Ṭawas, Kh.

304

288

[319]

254

240

171

239

Corpus of Christian sites

Site

No.

Site

No.

Site

No.

Tekoaʿ, Kh.

258

Umm er-Rus, Kh.

238

Y.M.C.A. Monastery

182

Umm Deimine, Kh.

347

Umm Ḥalasa, Kh.

307

Zanuṭa, Kh.

350

Umm el-ʿAmed, Kh.

262

Umm Leisun, Kh.

214

Zeita, Kh.

279

Umm el-ʿAmed, Kh.

325

Umm Rukba, Kh.

317

Zif, Tell

314

Umm el-ʿAmed, Kh.

330

Wadi el-Ḥammam

297

Ẓur, Kh.

241

Umm el-ʿAṣafir, Kh.

220

Yaṭṭa

328

Umm el-Qaryatein, Kh.

358

Yattir, Kh.

354

[320]

Corpus of Christian sites

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Amit D. 1997. “Kh. Umm Halasa: An Additional Monastery in the Wilderness of Ziph,” in Y. Eshel (ed.), Judea and Samaria Research Studies. Proceedings of the 6th Annual Meeting—1996, Kedumim–Ariel, pp. 259–270 (Hebrew; English summary, p. XXIV). Amit D., Seligman J. and Zilberbod I. 2000. “Jerusalem, Mount Scopus (East),” ḤA 112: 94–98 (Hebrew; English summary, pp. 75*–78*). Amit D. and Wolff S. 1993. “Excavations at an Early Armenian Monastery in the Morasha Neighborhood of Jerusalem,” Qadmoniot 26 (1–2) (101–102): 52–56 (Hebrew). Amit D. and Wolff S.R. 2000. “An Armenian Monastery in the Morasha Neighborhood, Jerusalem,” in H. Geva (ed.), Ancient Jerusalem Revealed, Jerusalem, pp. 293–298. Amit D., Wolff S. and Gorzalezany A. 1993. “Jerusalem, the Third Wall (Area D),” ESI 13: 80–83. Amitai-Preiss N. 2007. “An Islamic Amulet from Khirbat elNi ʿana,” ʿAtiqot 57: 163–164. Arav R., Di Segni L. and Kloner A. 1990. “An Eighth Century Monastery near Jerusalem,” LA 40: 313–320. Arslan E.A. 2005. “The Coins from Khirbet el-Jiljul,” BAIAS 23: 107–110. Arubas B. and Goldfus H. 1993. “Jerusalem, Binyane Haʾumma,” ESI 13: 74–78. Arubas B. and Goldfus H. (eds.), 2005. Excavations on the Site of the Jerusalem International Convention Center (Binyanei Haʾuma): A Settlement of the Late First to Second Temple Period, the Tenth Legion’s Kilnworks, and a Byzantine Mosaic Complex (JRA Supplementary series 60), Portsmouth, Rhode Island. Arubas B. and Goldfus H. 2007. “The Site at Binyanei haUma and Its Role in the Settlement Network Surrounding Jerusalem,” EI 28: 14–20 (Hebrew; English summary, pp. 9*–10*). Avi-Yonah M. 1933. “Mosaic Pavements in Palestine,” QDAP 2: 136–181. Avi-Yonah M. 1934. “Mosaic Pavements in Palestine,” QDAP 3: 26–47, 49–73. Avi-Yonah M. 1935. “Mosaic Pavements in Palestine, Second Supplement,” QDAP 4: 187–193. Avi-Yonah M. 1949. “Excavations at Sheikh Bader,” BJPES 15 (1–2): 19–24 (Hebrew). Avi-Yonah M. 1954. The Madaba Mosaic Map: with Introduction and Commentary, Jerusalem. Avi-Yonah M. 1955. “Christian Archaeology in Israel, 1948– 1954,” CNI 5 (3–4): 20–26. Avi-Yonah M. 1957. “Note on the Dating of the Beit Ṣ afafa Inscription,” Bulletin of the Department of Antiquities of the State of Israel 5–6: 43 (Hebrew). Avi-Yonah M. 1976. Gazetteer of Roman Palestine (Qedem 5), Jerusalem.

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Avi-Yonah M. 1984. Historical Geography of Palestine from the Babylonian Exile up to the Arab Conquest, Jerusalem (Hebrew). Avi-Yonah M. 1993a. “Emmaus,” NEAEHL 2: 385–387. Avi-Yonah M. 1993b. “Jerusalem,” NEAEHL 2: 784. Avner R. 1993. “Jerusalem, Mar Elias,” ESI 13: 89–92. Avner R. 2003. “The Recovery of the Kathisma Church and Its Influence on Octagonal Buildings,” in G.C. Bottini, L. Di Segni and L.D. Chrupcala (eds.), One Land—Many Cultures. Archaeological Studies in Honour of Stanislao Loffreda OFM (Studium Biblicum Franciscanum, Collectio Maior 41), Jerusalem, pp. 173–186. Avner R. 2004. The Church of the Kathisma. Its Identification and Role in the History of Architecture and Mosaic, Ph.D. diss., University of Haifa, Haifa (Hebrew). Avner R. 2005a. “Jerusalem, Mar Elias – the Kathisma Church,” ḤA 117 (http://www.hadashot-esi.org.il/report_detail_eng.asp?id =106&mag_id=110). Avner R. 2005b. “The Kathisma Church on the Road from Jerusalem to Bethlehem,” Qadmoniot 38 (130): 117–121 (Hebrew). Avner R. 2006–07. “The Kathisma: A Christian and Muslim Pilgrimage Site,” Aram 18–19: 541–557. Avner R., Lavas G. and Rosidis I. 2001. “Jerusalem, Mar Elias – the Kathisma Church,” ḤA 113: 133–137 (Hebrew; English summary, pp. 89*–92*). Baedeker K. 1912. Palestine and Syria with Routes through Mesopotamia and Babylonia and the Island of Cyprus. Handbook for Travellers, Leipzig. Bagatti B. 1948. Il Santuario Della Visitazione ad ʿAin Karim (Montana Judaeae). Esplorazione Archeologica e Ripristino, Jerusalem. Bagatti B. 1952–53. “Espressioni bibliche nelle antiche iscrizioni cristiane della Palestina,” LA 3: 111–148. Bagatti B. 1954. “Hircania – Castellion,” La Terra Santa 30: 311–315. Bagatti B. 1959. “Il Musaico degli animali ad ʿAmwās (Palestina),” Rivista di Archeologia Cristiana 35 (1–4): 71–80. Bagatti B. 1960–61. “Ricerche su alcuni antichi siti GiudeoCristiani,” LA 11: 288–314. Bagatti B. 1964. “Al centro degli Arcontici Kh. Kilkisc presso Hebron,” La Terra Santa 40: 264–269. Bagatti B. 1965. “Bethléem,” RB 72: 270–272. Bagatti B. 1968a. L’Eglise de la gentilité en Palestine (Ier–XIe siècle) (Studium Biblicum Franciscanum, Collectio Minor 4), Jerusalem. Bagatti B. 1968b. “Un’inedita Chiesa al Qasr El-ʿAbd presso Tequa probabile monastero di Romano,” LA 18: 288–300. Bagatti B. 1971a. The Church from the Gentiles in Palestine. History and Archaeology (Studium Biblicum Franciscanum, Collectio Minor 4), Jerusalem.

Bagatti, B. 1971b. “La Laura di Suka sul Wadi Kareitun,” La Terra Santa 47: 336–345. Bagatti B. 1972a. “Nuove scoperte alla Tomba della Vergine a Getsemani,” LA 22: 236–290. Bagatti B. 1972b. “Tomba della Vergine,” La Terra Santa 48: 336–342. Bagatti B. 1973a. “Jérusalem: Tombeau de la Vierge,” RB 80: 581–582. Bagatti B. 1973b. “Medaglie ricordo della Laura di San Saba,” La Terra Santa 49: 368–370. Bagatti B. 2002a. Ancient Christian Villages of Samaria (Studium Biblicum Franciscanum, Collectio Minor 39), Jerusalem. Bagatti B. 2002b. Ancient Christian Villages of Judaea and the Negev (Studium Biblicum Franciscanum, Collectio Minor 42), Jerusalem. Bagatti B., Piccirillo M. and Prodomo A. 1975. New Discoveries at the Tomb of the Virgin Mary in Gethsemane (Studium Biblicum Franciscanum, Collectio Minor 17), Jerusalem. Bahat D. 1973. “Beth Shemesh,” IEJ 23 (4): 246–247. Bahat D. 1991. “The Topography and Archaeological Finds,” in J. Prawer and H. Ben Shammai (eds.), The History of Jerusalem: Crusaders and Ayyubids (1099–1250), Jerusalem, pp. 68–134 (Hebrew). Baramki D.C. 1934. “An Early Christian Basilica at ʿEin Hanniya,” QDAP 3: 113–117. Baramki D.C. 1935. “Recent Discoveries of Byzantine Remains in Palestine,” QDAP 4: 118–121. Baramki D.C. 1936. “Two Roman Cisterns at Beit Nattīf,” QDAP 5: 3–10. Baramki D.C. 1938. “Byzantine Remains in Palestine II. A Small Monastery and Chapel Outside the ‘Third Wall,’” QDAP 6: 56–58. Baramki D.C. and Avi-Yonah M. 1934. “An Early Christian Church at Khirbat ʿAsida,” QDAP 3: 17–19. Bar-Asher M. 2012. “Syropalestinian Inscription from the Church at ʿAnab el-Kabir,” in Christians and Christianity IV. Churches and Monasteries in Judea (JSP 16), Jerusalem, pp. 393–396. Barbé H. and Zelinger Y. 2005. “Jerusalem, Naḥal Qidron,” ḤA 117 (http://www.hadashot-esi.org.il/report_detail_eng.asp?id =270&mag_id=110). Barkay G. 1984. “Excavations on the Slope of the Hinnom Valley,” Qadmoniot 17 (4) (68): 94–108 (Hebrew). Barkay G. 1995. “New Excavations at Ketef Hinnom,” in Z. Safrai and A. Faust (eds.), Recent Innovations in the Study of Jerusalem. The First Conference, Ramat Gan, pp. 8–15 (Hebrew). Barkay G. 2000. “Excavations at Ketef Hinnom in Jerusalem,” in H. Geva (ed.), Ancient Jerusalem Revealed, Jerusalem, pp. 85–106.

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Barrois A. 1930. “Une chapelle funéraire au couvent de Saint Euthyme,” RB 39: 272–275. Baruch Y. 1993. “El-Karmel,” ESI 13: 109. Baruch Y. 1994. “Hebron, ed-Deir,” ESI 14: 121–122. Baruch Y. 1997a. “A Site of the Early Roman and Byzantine Periods at ed-Deir, Hebron,” ʿAtiqot 32: 109–117 (Hebrew; English summary, p. 44*). Baruch Y. 1997b. “Winepresses, Caves and Tombs near Tel Zif,” ʿAtiqot 32: 99–102 (Hebrew; English summary, p. 43*). Baruch Y. 1998. “Kh. Bet-Einun – a Christian Holy Place at Mt. Hebron during the Byzantine Period,” in Y. Eshel (ed.), Judea and Samaria Research Studies, Proceedings of the Seventh Annual Meeting 1997, Kedumim–Ariel, pp. 169–179 (Hebrew; English summary, pp. XVII–XVIII). Baruch Y. 1999. “Tell Zif and the Establishment of Christianity in the South of the Hebron Mountain,” in Y. Eshel (ed.), Judea and Samaria Research Studies, Proceedings of the Eighth Annual Meeting 1998, Kedumim–Ariel, pp. 171–184 (Hebrew; English summary, p. XX). Baruch Y. 2000. “The Village Yatta at the South Hebron Mountain – 1994 Excavations,” in Y. Eshel (ed.), Judea and Samaria Research Studies 9, Ariel, pp. 165–182 (Hebrew; English summary, pp. XIX–XX). Baruch E. 2001. “ʿEin el-Jadida,” ḤA 113: 140–141 (Hebrew; English summary, pp. 94*–95*). Bashkin N. 1993. “Khirbet Niʿana,” ESI 13: 59–61. Batz S. 2002. “Ḥevron, Deir el-Arbaʿin,” ḤA 114: 144 (Hebrew; English summary, p. 117*). Batz S. 2003. “The Roman Bath House at Umm el Asafir,” in E. Baruch, U. Leibner and A. Faust (eds.), New Studies on Jerusalem 9, Ramat Gan, pp. 123–145 (Hebrew; English summary, p. 34*). Batz S. 2009. “A Late Roman–Late Islamic Period Fortified Tower at Khirbet Zanuṭa,” in Excavations and Discoveries in Benjamin and Judea (JSP 10), Jerusalem, pp. 225–243 (Hebrew; English summary, pp. 22*–24*). Batz S. and Greenfeld U. 2009. “Dwelling Caves, Burial Caves, a Columbarium, and a Bathhouse at Khirbet Umm el-ʾAṣafir,” in Excavations and Discoveries in Benjamin and Judea (JSP 10), Jerusalem, pp. 84–127 (Hebrew; English summary, pp. 10*–12*). Batz S. and Peleg Y. 2002. “Ḥevron, Qiryat Arbaʿ,” ḤA 114: 111–112 (Hebrew; English summary, pp. 90*–91*). Batz S. and Sharukh I. 2012a. “A Roman Bathhouse and Two Byzantine Churches at Khirbet Ẓ ur,” in Christians and Christianity IV. Churches and Monasteries in Judea (JSP 16), Jerusalem, pp. 1–36. Batz S. and Sharukh I. 2012b. “A Roman Fortress and a Byzantine Monastery at Khirbet ed-Duweir,” in Christians and Christianity IV. Churches and Monasteries in Judea (JSP 16), Jerusalem, pp. 61–106. Ben-Arieh S. and Netzer E. 1974. “Excavations along the ‘Third Wall’ of Jerusalem, 1972–1974,” IEJ 24 (2): 97–107.

Ben-Shalom S. 1983. “Secret Tunnels in Horvat Bureikut,” Nikrot Zurim 8: 26–35 (Hebrew). Ben-Shalom S. 1986. “The Russian Monastery Cave,” Niqrot Zurim 13: 138–148 (Hebrew). Benoit P. and Boismard M.E. 1951. “Un ancien sanctuaire chrétien à Béthanie,” RB 58: 200–251. Berman A. 2007. “The Coins from Khirbat el-Niʿana,” ʿAtiqot 57: 155–162. Billig Y. 2005. “ʿEn Qobi. Final Report,” ḤA 117 (http://www.hadashot-esi.org.il/report_detail_eng.asp?id =274&mag_id=110). Biran A. 1959. “Archaeological Activities 1958–1959,” CNI 10 (1–2): 21–32. Birger R. and Hirschfeld Y. 1988–89. “Khan el-Aḥmar —1987,” ESI 7–8: 110. Blake I. 1969. “El-Kuseir: A Hermitage in the Wilderness of Judaea,” PEQ 101: 87–93. Blanckenhorn M. 1895. “Notizen von meinen geologischen Streifzügen in Palästina,” MNDPV 1: 35–40. Blomme Y. and Nodet E. 1979. “Deir Mukelik (1979),” RB 86: 462–464. Boree W. 1930. Die alten Ortsnamen Palästinas, Leipzig. Britt K.C. 2012. “The Chancel Mosaic Floor of the Byzantine Church at Khirbet el-Laṭaṭin,” in Christians and Christianity III. Churches and Monasteries in Samaria and Northern Judea (JSP 15), Jerusalem, pp. 433–444. Bunimovitz S. and Lederman Z. 2001. “Tel Bet Shemesh, 1997–1999,” ḤA 113: 98*–100*. Bunimovitz S., Lederman Z. and Kletter R. 1991. “Tel Bet Shemesh – 1990,” ESI 10: 142–144. Chambon A. and Strus A. 1991. “Ein Faṭṭir,” ESI 10: 31–33. Chambon A. and Strus A. 1993. “Ein Faṭṭir – 1990,” ESI 12: 82–84. Chambon A., Struss A. and Alpi F. 1992. “Une installation agricole byzantine à ʿAin Fattir,” RB 99: 425–439. Charbel A. 1975. “Sosta di Maria tra Gerusalemme e Betlemme,” La Terra Santa 51: 225–230. Chitty D.J. 1928. “Two Monasteries in the Wilderness of Judaea,” PEFQSt 61: 134–152. Chitty D.J. 1930. “Excavations at the Monastery of St. Euthymius, 1929,” PEFQSt 63: 43–47, 150–153. Chitty D.J. 1932. “The Monastery of St. Euthymius,” PEFQSt 65: 188–203. Chitty D.J. 1966. The Desert a City. An Introduction to the Study of Egyptian and Palestinian Monasticism under the Christian Empire, Oxford. Chitty D.J. and Jones A.H.M. 1928. “The Church of St. Euthymius at Khan el-Ahmar, near Jerusalem,” PEFQSt 61: 175–178. Clermont-Ganneau Ch. 1882–84. Premiers rapports sur une mission en Palestine et en Phénicie enterprise en 1881, Paris. Clermont-Ganneau Ch. 1884. “Archaeological Discoveries in the Holy Land and Syria in 1883,” PEFQSt 17: 187–195.

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Damati E. 1978. “Kh. el-Muraq,” ḤA 67–68: 51–52 (Hebrew). Damati E. 1982. “The Palace of Ḥilkiya,” Qadmoniot 15 (4) (60): 117–121 (Hebrew). Damati E. 1989. “Irrigated Gardens in the Monastery of Martyrius,” in D. Amit, Y. Hirschfeld and J. Patrich (eds.), The Aqueducts of Ancient Palestine. Collected Essays, Jerusalem, pp. 299–304 (Hebrew). Damati E. 2001. “Khirbet en-Naṣara,” ḤA 113: 131*. Damati E. 2002. “The Irrigation Systems in the Gardens of the Monastery of St. Martyrius (Maʿale Adummim),” in D. Amit, J. Patrich and Y. Hirschfeld (eds.), The Aqueducts of Israel (JRA Supplementary Series 46), Portsmouth, Rhode Island, pp. 438–443. Dayan M. 1976. “The Cave of Machpelah—The Cave beneath the Mosque,” Qadmoniot 9 (4) (36): 129–131 (Hebrew). Delau V. 1899–1900. “Monastères palestiniens du cinquième siècle,” Bulletin de Littérature ecclésiastique I: 233–240, 269–281. Derfler S. 2003. “The Byzantine Church at Tel Kerioth and Religious Iconoclasm in the 8th Century,” Aram 15: 39–47. Derfler S. and Govrin Y. 1993. “Tel Kerioth, 1992,” IEJ 43 (4): 263–267. Dinur U. 1986. “Yatta,” ESI 5: 111–112. Di Segni L. 1990a. “The Monastery of Martyrius at Maʿale Adummim (Khirbet el-Muraṣṣaṣ): the Inscriptions,” in G.C. Bottini, L. Di Segni and E. Alliata (eds.), Christian Archaeology in the Holy Land. New Discoveries (Studium Biblicum Franciscanum, Collectio Maior 36), Jerusalem, pp. 153–164. Di Segni L. 1990b. “The Greek Inscriptions in the Northern and Eastern Churches at Herodion,” in G.C. Bottini, L. Di Segni and E. Alliata (eds.), Christian Archaeology in the Holy Land. New Discoveries (Studium Biblicum Franciscanum, Collectio Maior 36), Jerusalem, pp. 177–190. Di Segni L. 1993. “The Beit Ṣ afafa Inscription Reconsidered and the Question of a Local Era in Jerusalem,” IEJ 43 (2–3): 157–168. Di Segni L. 1997. “The Date of the Beit Ṣ afafa Inscription Again,” IEJ 47 (3–4): 248–254. Di Segni L. 2003. “A Greek Inscription in the Kathisma Church,” in G.C. Bottini, L. Di Segni and L.D. Chrupcala (eds.), One Land—Many Cultures. Archaeological Studies in Honour of Stanislao Loffreda OFM (Studium Biblicum Franciscanum, Collectio Maior 41), Jerusalem, pp. 187–188. Di Segni L. (transl. and intro.), 2005a. Cyril of Scythopolis. Lives of the Monks of the Judaean Desert, Jerusalem (Hebrew). Di Segni L. 2005b. “An Inscription from Khirbet el-Jiljil,” BAIAS 23: 101–105. Di Segni L. 2012a. “Greek Inscription from the Northern Chapel at Khirbet el-Laṭaṭin,” in Christians and

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Aerial photograph of Kh. el-Muraṣṣaṣ, the monastery of Martyrius, view from northeast.

Kh. Khureitun, monastic cells of the laura of Chariton, view from southeast.

Monastery of the Holy Cross, view from the northwest.

Deir Mar Saba, view from the southeast.