Vertical tabsMonastery name, type, categorySite Name: Beit Sha'arMonastery name: Monastery (?)Monastery type: Cenobium LocationCoordinates, ITM system: 21,887.0061,705.00 Coordinates, ICS system: 16,887.0011,705.00 Geographical region: Southern JudeaProvincial affiliation: Palaestina IBishopric: JerusalemTopographical location: HillDistance from nearest bishop-seat: ca. 30 km (Jerusalem)Distance from Roman roads: On the ancient road connecting Bethlehem and Hebron. Source of knowledgeEpigraphyArchaeological remainsExcavated siteExcavators: NameDate Vincent1902 Bibliograpy: Schick, C. and Benzinger, I., 1896145-200 Editor, 1903280 Meistermann, B., 190492-9 Germer-Durand, J., 1908303-7 Horning, R., 1909133 Mader, A. E., 1918204f Phillip Hieromonachos, 1936212-16; 250-55 Schneider, A. M., 193897f Ovadiah, A., 197028-9 Kochavi, M. and Ovadiah, R., 197245 Bagatti, B., 1983 Ben-Shalom, S., 1986138-48 Tsafrir, Y., Di Segni, L. and Green, J., 199477 Bagatti, B., 200252-3 Magen, Y. and Kagan, E. D., 2012145-7 Abbreviation for Journals and SeriesState of certainty: Uncertain / Questionable General descriptionState of preservation/which parts were uncovered: Excavation of the site revealed a basilical church. Its identification as a monastery is questionable. Illustrative material: Illustrative_material Figures General descriptionChurche/s: The Basilical church (9.6 x 9 m) possessed a bema reached via two steps. The church had two apses, a central one and a second apse at the end of the northern aisle. The nave was paved in a polychrome mosaic with geometric and floral designs, including two gazelles and possibly an amphora. Near the gazelles there is a four line Greek inscription. A fragment of a marble chancel screen panel adorned with a cross was retrieved. Small finds Detailed descriptionComponentsMonastery church: Church typeDiakonikonLink to church sectionChurch location basilicalBeit Sha'ar - ChurchGround floor Architectural evolutionPhase 1 Abandonment Dating material: Germer-Durand dated the complex to the second half of the sixth century (Mader 1918: 204) based on the inscription. Based on the word PERSO (ΠΕΡΣΩ), Philipp (1937: 14-15) claimed that the church’s foundation was connected with the Persian occupation and that monks were slaughtered by Persians on the site. He therefore dated the church to the first half of the seventh century CE. Phase dateCentury: 6th c.Within century: Second half Phase dateCentury: 7th c?
