Ḥorvat Hani; Ḥorvat Hanni - Monastery

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Source of knowledge
Epigraphy
Archaeological remains
Surveyed site
Surveyors: 
NameDate
Anati
1951
Naveh and Shacham
1963
Safrai and Dar
1983
Gofna and Beit-Arieh
1997
Excavated site
Excavators: 
NameDate
Dahari and Zelinger
2002
State of certainty: 
Archaeologicaly definitive
Architectural evolution
Phase name (as published): 
Third phase
General outline: 
The complex became a nunnery in the fifth century CE. It consisted of two buildings, courtyards, a tower, agricultural installations. The chapel predated the foundation of the monastery.
Dating material: 

Architecture, pottery and other finds.

Phase date
Century: 
5th c.
Within century: 
Late
Iconoclastic evidence
Iconoclastic evidence: 
No
Phase name (as published): 
Fourth phase
General outline: 
Dated to sixth century CE. In this phase, new mosaic floors were laid in the church, the apse and the southeastern room (colorful, made of small white, black, grey, yellow, green, blue, orange and burgundy tesserae). Motifs: alternating square and circular medallions populated by fauna and flora (fruit). In this phase, several changes were made to the residential area. A number of cells were added and the corridors were made smaller.
Dating material: 

Style of the mosaics, and pottery.

Phase date
Century: 
6th c.
Iconoclastic evidence
Iconoclastic evidence: 
No
Phase name (as published): 
Fifth phase
General outline: 
The monastery continued to function into the Early Islamic period. Dated to the eighth century. A new entrance was built.
Dating material: 

 Iconoclastic damage.

Phase date
Century: 
8th c.
Iconoclastic evidence
Iconoclastic evidence: 
Yes
Iconoclastic evidence comments: 
The human and animal figures were defaced. The excavator attributes it to emperor Leo III (717-741 CE) but it could and probably should be attributed to the Caliph Yazid II (721 CE).The damage to the mosaics was repaired with coarse tesserae and plaster.
General outline: 
The monastery was abandoned in the late ninth century.
Dating material: 

Pottery and other finds.

Phase date
Century: 
9th c.
Within century: 
Late
Iconoclastic evidence
Iconoclastic evidence: 
Yes
Post Arab conquest history: 
Still in use
Post conquest history comments: 
Late ninth century- the convent was abandoned and continued to be used as a burial site for infants and girls from the surrounding villages.