El-Burj - ZANNUS

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Monastery name, type, category

Site Name:

El-Burj

Identification:

The site of the monastery of Zannus was first identified by Hirschfeld in the Judean Desert survey. Hirschfeld's identification was based on the location that conformed to Cyril of Scythopolis' description (V. Sab. 42 [ed. Schwartz 132-133]) and the presence of monastic remains at the site (Hirschfeld 1992: 42-43, no. 26). The identification has been disputed on the grounds that the plan and finds are not necessarily indicative of a monastery (Magen and Kagan 2012 II: 112).

Monastery name:

ZANNUS

Monastery type:

Cenobium

Monastery category:

Desert

Location

Coordinates, ITM system:

22,940.00

62,501.00

Coordinates, ICS system:

17,940.00

12,501.00

Geographical region:

Judean Desert

Provincial affiliation:

Palaestina I

Bishopric:

Jerusalem

Topographical location:

Hilltop

Distance from nearest bishop-seat:

ca. 11 km (Jerusalem)

Distance from nearest settlement:

ca. 10 km (Bethlehem)

Distance from Roman roads:

ca. 12 km east of the road connecting Jerusalem with Bethlehem.

Source of knowledge

HideLiterary sources

Text number	Summary
1	Zannus and his brother Benjamin establish a coenobium in Sabas' old hermitage, ca. AD 511.

Archaeological remains

Surveyed site

Surveyors:

Name	Date
Hirschfeld	1983

History:

According to Cyril of Scythopolis, the communal monastery was founded by two monks, Zannus and Benjamin, brothers from the region of Hebron. At first they settled as hermits at the site of Sabas' former seclusion place some 15 stadia (2.8 km) from the Great Laura, later transforming the hermitage, with Sabas' help, into a coenobium (V. Sab 42 [ed. Schwartz 132-133]).

Bibliograpy:

Hirschfeld, Y., 1983	58-9
Hirschfeld, Y., 1990	41-3
Tsafrir, Y., Di Segni, L. and Green, J., 1994	93
Patrich, J., 1995	158
Di Segni, L., 2005	177
Magen, Y. and Kagan, E. D., 2012	112-13

Abbreviation for Journals and Series

Discussion:

In the Judean Desert survey, Hirschfeld identified the complex at el-Burj as the monastery of Zannus mentioned by Cyril of Scythopolis. Hirschfeld maintained that the site, located about three km northwest of Marsaba, conforms to Cyril's description, both in terms of location and in terms of the plan that is known from other monasteries. The finds that include fragments of marble, colored tesserae and pottery confirm this identification according to Hirschfeld ( 1990: 41-43, no. 26). Magen is of the opinion that neither the plan of the site nor the finds can be confidently attributed to a monastic complex. An alternative suggestion has not been offered for the nature of the site (Magen and Kagan 2012 II: 112).

State of certainty:

Archaeologically and Literarily definitive

General description

State of preservation/which parts were uncovered:

The site was not excavated. The survey revealed remains of walls including those of a rectangular structure identified as a church.

Illustrative material:

Illustrative_material

Figures

El-Burj - general plan of the site (Magen and Kagan 2012 II: 112-113, no. 230).

General description

Enclosing walls:

The encompassing walls were clearly discernable, measuring 29.7 x 28.4 m, encompassing an area of 843 m².

Churche/s:

A rectangular structure was identified in the northern part of the compound. This may have been a church.

Dwellings:

The southern part of the compound apparently formed the dwelling area.

Small finds

Small finds:

Category	Description
Other	Tesserae

Detailed description

Dimensions:

Total area (sqm)	Size class
843	Small

Structure

Materials applied (walls):

Limestone

Components

Enclosing wall

Courtyard/s

Monastery church:

Church type	Diakonikon	Link to church section	Church location
unknown			Ground floor

Dwelling type:

cells

Architectural evolution

Phase 1
Abandonment

General outline:

The monastery was established by two brothers, Zannus and Benjamin at a site where Sabas had built a hermitage earlier. The foundation of the monastery is dated to 511 CE.

Dating material:

Literary

Phase date

Century:

6th c.

Within century:

Early

General outline:

The remains have not been excavated. It was probably abandoned sometime in the Early Islamic period.

Phase date

Century:

7th-8th c.

Post Arab conquest history:

Abandoned