Vertical tabsMonastery name, type, categorySite Name: El-QasrMonastery name: MonasteryMonastery type: CenobiumMonastery category: Isolated in the countryside LocationCoordinates, ITM system: 23,230.0065,440.00 Coordinates, ICS system: 18,230.0015,440.00 Geographical region: Samaria Desert FringesProvincial affiliation: Palaestina IBishopric: NeapolisTopographical location: HilltopDistance from nearest bishop-seat: ca. 26 km (Shechem-Neapolis)Distance from Roman roads: 7 km north of the road connecting Afek-Antipatris with Jericho Source of knowledgeArchaeological remainsSurveyed siteSurveyors: NameDate Finkelstein, Lederman and Bunimovitz1981-1985 Hirschfeld1983 Bibliograpy: Hirschfeld, Y., 1988/8995-104 Hirschfeld, Y., 199056 Finkelstein, I., Bunimvitz, S. and Lederman, Z., 1997II: 744 Magen, Y., 2008177-216 Tsafrir, Y., Di Segni, L. and Green, J., 1994206 Magen, Y. and Kagan, E. D., 2012201-2 Abbreviation for Journals and SeriesState of certainty: Archaeologicaly definitive General descriptionState of preservation/which parts were uncovered: The apse of the church remained to a height of two courses. An arch supporting the roof of the cistern was well preserved at the time of the surveys. Illustrative material: Illustrative_material Figures General descriptionEnclosing walls: The monastery is encompassed by walls (14.7 x 11.4 m) enclosing an area ca. 168 m2. Gate/s: The entrance to the monastery was on its western side. Courtyards: A courtyard was located in the northwestern part of the complex west of the chapel. Churche/s: The chapel is in the northeast of the structure. It was a single nave chapel, apparently with an internal apse. Dwellings: Three dwelling cells were identified south of the courtyard Burials: An underground chamber (4 x 4 m) with a vaulted ceiling (2.8 m high) beneath the chapel, served as a burial crypt. It was entered from outside the walls of the monastery. A small prayer niche was located in the eastern wall. Water installations: A cistern with a vaulted roof was located beneath the courtyard. Agricultural and industrial installations: A farmhouse and animal pens were identified about 200 m east of the monastery. These may have been connected with the monastery, perhaps under the same leadership. Small finds Detailed descriptionDimensions: Total area (sqm)Size class 168Small StructureMaterials applied (walls): Limestone ComponentsEnclosing wallGate/s: 1Courtyard/sMonastery church: Church typeDiakonikonLink to church sectionChurch location single naveGround floor Dwelling type: cellsTombs type: Burial chamberWater installations: Cisterns0 Architectural evolutionPhase 1 Abandonment General outline: The site was not excavated. It was probably founded sometime in the late fifth or sixth century CE.Dating material: Based on the architecture Phase dateCentury: 5th-6th c. Phase dateCentury: 7th-8th c.
