Vertical tabsMonastery name, type, categorySite Name: Ḥorvat 'Erav; Kh. IribbinMonastery name: MonasteryMonastery type: CenobiumMonastery category: Isolated in the countryside LocationCoordinates, ITM system: 221,659.00776,209.00 Coordinates, ICS system: 171,656.001,276,210.00 Geographical region: Western GalileeBishopric: TyreTopographical location: The site is located at a high point in the mountains of the Western Galilee, overlooking the Betzet stream.Soils: Limestone and terra rosa.Distance from nearest bishop-seat: ca. 15 km (Tyre)Distance from Roman roads: ca. 8 km east of the road that connected Acco-Ptolomais with Tyre. Source of knowledgeArchaeological remainsSurveyed siteSurveyors: NameDate Ilan1981-82 Excavated siteExcavators: NameDate Ilan1982-84 Bibliograpy: Ilan, Z., 1986503-15 Ilan, Z., 19874 Ilan, Z., 1987/8853-54 Ilan, Z., 1993422 Madden, A. M., 2014p. 175, no. 257 Abbreviation for Journals and SeriesDiscussion: The excavator suggested identifying the site as a monastery due to the enclosed precinct in which the church stands. It is the western of two churches at the site and located at the southwestern edge of a village. The church is perched atop a cliff of Nahal Betzet. The discerned remains of the enclosing wall suggest a coenobitic monastery. In the cliff below the eastern wall, there are hermis' cells, suggesting a number of unorganized individual hermits living outside the wall. Other hermitages are known in Nahal Bet Ha'emek and in Nahal Kziv. , State of certainty: Archaeologicaly definitive General descriptionState of preservation/which parts were uncovered: Parts of an enclosure wall, a basilical, tri-apsidal church with a chapel attached on the south. A cistern in the atrium and a second to the north of the church. Illustrative material: Illustrative_material Figures General descriptionEnclosing walls: Remains of an enclosure wall to the west, north and south of a church. The eastern wall is set on top of a cliff overlooking Nahal Betzet. Churche/s: Tri-apsidal basilica (17.9 x 14.1 m) with a chapel annexed on the south.The nave was paved in fine mosaics featuring geometric and floral patterns. A narthex and an atrium were located west of the church. Three entrances were discerned in the southern wall, one of which led to a chapel. Dwellings: Hermit cells in the cliff, outside the enclosed area. Cave/s: On the cliff, south of the complex, rock-cut hermits’ cells were identified. Another cave, located at a higher point of the site, may have been inhabited by hermits as well. Water installations: An underground structure (2.80 x 7.00 m) was unearthed north of the church. A single arch remaining in the eastern part of the structure was one of several that supported the roof. The structure was identified as a cistern. A second cistern was found in the atrium of the church. Small findsSmall finds: CategoryDescription Oil lampsHundreds of oil lamps dating to the Early Islamic period. Comments, discussion and summary: The large number of oil lamps found in the excavation probably indicate that the site was a place of pilgrimage and veneration in the Early Islamic period. Detailed descriptionStructureMaterials applied (walls): Limestone ComponentsEnclosing wallCourtyard/sMonastery church: Church typeDiakonikonLink to church sectionChurch location basilicalGround floor Dwelling type: cavesWater installations: CisternsWater capacity (minimal) (cubic m): 20Inscribed crosses Architectural evolutionPhase 1 Abandonment General outline: Probably built in the late sixth to early seventh centuries CE and continued to exist into the Early Islamic period. Dating material: Pottery Phase dateCentury: 6th-7th c. General outline: The site continued to function well into the Early Islamic period. It was abandoned without destruction. In the Crusader period the church might have continued to serve as a site of pilgrimage, but not as an active church. Phase dateCentury: Unknown Post Arab conquest history: Still in usePost conquest history comments: During the Crusader period the church might had served as a site of pilgrimage, but not as an active church.
