Vertical tabsMonastery name, type, categorySite Name: el-Qasrein; Wadi 'AbdallaIdentification: The complex surveyed at Wadi Abdalla was initially identified by Hirschfeld as the monastery founded by Severianus ca. 515 CE. He based this identification on the location of the site near the village of Bani Na'im (Caparbaricha). Cyril of Scythopolis wrote that Severianus founded a monastery "near Caparbaricha". Hirschfeld later retracted this identification.Monastery name: SEVERIANUS (?)Monastery type: CenobiumMonastery category: Isolated in the countryside LocationCoordinates, ITM system: 21,760.0060,300.00 Coordinates, ICS system: 16,760.0010,300.00 Geographical region: Hebron HillsProvincial affiliation: Palaestina IBishopric: EleutheropolisTopographical location: HillDistance from nearest bishop-seat: ca. 27 km (Eleutheropolis)Distance from nearest settlement: 2 km (Capharbaicha)Distance from Roman roads: ca. 4 km from the road leading south from Jerusalem. Source of knowledgeHideLiterary sources Text number Summary 1 Mention of Severianus, founder of a monastery near Capharbaricha, among the disciples of Sabas, AD 483. 2 Abbot Paul of the New Laura ends his life in the coenobium of Severianus, ca. AD 515. 3 Story of a monk of the monastery of Abba Severianus, from an early 7th cent. collection of anecdotes. Archaeological remainsSurveyed siteExcavated siteBibliograpy: Hirschfeld, Y., 199043-4 Tsafrir, Y., Di Segni, L. and Green, J., 1994256 Hirschfeld, Y. and with contributions by Barkay, R., Ben-Arieh R., Calderon R. et alii. , 1999156-57 Magen, Y. and Kagan, E. D., 2012210 Abbreviation for Journals and SeriesState of certainty: Archaeologicaly definitive General descriptionState of preservation/which parts were uncovered: In a survey, towers were identified on both sides of the wadi and a rock-cut shelter near a complex of structures. The remains of the monastery were identified on the western bank of the wadi, the site was not excavated. Illustrative material: Illustrative_material Figures General descriptionEnclosing walls: The complex was enclosed by a wall on three sides, measuring ca. 20 x 20 m, surrounding an area ca. 400 m2. Gate/s: The main entrance to the complex was in the southwest. Courtyards: A courtyard with rooms surrounding it on three sides (north, west and south) was identified in the survey. The eastern side was apparently left open to the view. Tower/s: Two towers were identified, one within the monastery precinct on the western side of the wadi, the other across the wadi on the eastern side. Dwellings: Some of the rooms surrounding the courtyard were presumed by the surveyors to constitute dwelling cells. Refectory: Two elongated halls were identified in the western part of the complex. These probably served for communal functions, one of which may have been a refectory. Water installations: A cistern was found beneath the courtyard. Agricultural and industrial installations: A smaller complex, similar to the main one and of identical construction, was located some 300 m northwest of the main complex. It may have served an agricultural function. Terraces were noted nearby. Small finds Detailed descriptionDimensions: Total area (sqm)Size class 400Small StructureMaterials applied (walls): Limestone ComponentsEnclosing wallGate/s: 1Tower/sCourtyard/sMonastery church: Church typeDiakonikonLink to church sectionChurch location No traces Dwelling type: cellsAgricultural installations: Terraces [=t]Water installations: Cisterns0Inscribed crosses Architectural evolutionPhase 1 Abandonment General outline: The complex consists of a tower, halls and residential cells built around an inner courtyard. If this monastery was indeed as originally proposed, the monastery of Severianus, its foundation would have been in 515 CE.Dating material: Literary (see literary section) Phase dateCentury: 6th c.Within century: Early General outline: The site was most likely abandoned sometime in the Early Islamic period.Phase dateCentury: 7th-8th c.
