Vertical tabsMonastery name, type, categorySite Name: Jerusalem (Givat Ram; Binyanei Ha Umah; Sheikh Bader)Monastery name: ST. GEORGE (?)Monastery type: CenobiumMonastery category: Isolated in the countrysidePilgrims LocationCoordinates, ITM system: 21,928.0063,254.00 Coordinates, ICS system: 16,928.0013,254.00 Geographical region: Jerusalem (Greater Jerusalem)Provincial affiliation: Palaestina IBishopric: JerusalemTopographical location: Level groundSoils: Limestone and terra rosa.Distance from nearest bishop-seat: 1.5 km (Jerusalem)Distance from nearest settlement: 1.5 km (Jerusalem)Distance from Roman roads: 0.2 km from the road connecting Jerusalem with Jaffa-Jopa Source of knowledgeEpigraphyArchaeological remainsExcavated siteExcavators: NameDate Avi-Yonah1949 Bibliograpy: Avi-Yonah, M., 194919-24 Avi-Yonah, M., 1950124 Senés, H., 1950112 Lemaire, P., 1950-195157 Leibovitch, J., 195328 Yeivin, S., 196039 Ovadiah, A., 197081-82 Ovadiah, A. and de Silva, C. G., 1982139 Arubas, B. and Goldfus, H., 199374-78 Schick, R., 1995338 Goldfus, H., 1997139-135 Arubas, B. and Goldfus, H., 200714-20; English summary 9*-10* Avni, G., 201042 Magen, Y. and Kagan, E. D., 201228-29 Abbreviation for Journals and SeriesDiscussion: According to the excavators, the monastery was abandoned in the middle or the end of the seventh century. The destruction of a monastery of St. George is mentioned in literary sources (Schick 1995: 338), but if this refers to the present site or some other, is not clear. Avi-Yonah reported evidence of a conflagration (1949: 23) attributing it either to the Samaritan uprising in 532 CE or to the Sassanian occupation in the early seventh century . Avni (2010: 42) points out that the monastery at Givat Ram showed no signs of violent destruction. State of certainty: Archaeologicaly definitive General descriptionState of preservation/which parts were uncovered: A basilica, a chapel, a courtyard and a complex of rooms north, south and west of the church, were excavated. Illustrative material: Illustrative_material Figures General descriptionEnclosing walls: The monastery was surrounded by a wall (70 x 50 m), enclosing an area of 3,500 m2. Courtyards: An atrium was located west of the church. A second courtyard was uncovered in the later excavation (Arubas and Goldfus), paved with well dressed stone slabs. Churche/s: Two churches were identified at the site. A monoapsidal basilical church (17.5 x 14 m- external measurements) and a small annexed chapel (8 x4 m) to its south. The basilica was paved in a polychrome mosaic featuring geometric motifs. The chapel was paved in a plain white mosaic with two rectangles of colored tesserae. Dwellings: A row of rooms was uncovered in the later excavation adjacent to a courtyard. Burials: Three burial sites were uncovered: two cist tombs were found in the church. A burial chamber was located in the north part of the church. The chamber (2 x 2.4 m) was well constructed and had two burial troughs. A second burial chamber was located south of the church. It was entered through a flight of stairs, its walls were plastered. The chamber had originally been closed by a stone or wooden door which had a round glass window, fragments of which were found on the stairs. Several skeletons (at least 1 child) were found. Hostelry: The large complex of rooms apparently served as a pilgrims' way station on the road to Jerusalem. Water installations: A cistern is located in the courtyard west of the church. A system of channels and pipes led water to vaulted cisterns. Small findsSmall finds: CategoryDescription Inscription - see under epigraphyIn the pavement of the southern chapel, mentioning St. George PotteryDated 4th-7th c. GlassFragments of a round window pane in burial chamber; vessels Oil lampsCandlestick lamp in burial chamber. BonesSeveral skeletons (at least 1 child); carved objects OtherRoof tiles Metal objectsIron nails Detailed descriptionDimensions: Total area (sqm)Size class 3,500Large StructureMaterials applied (walls): Limestone ComponentsEnclosing wallCourtyard/sMonastery church: Church typeDiakonikonLink to church sectionChurch location basilicalGround floor single naveGround floor HostelryTombs type: Cist tombBurial chamberWater installations: Cisterns0 Architectural evolutionPhase 1 Phase 2 Abandonment General outline: Foundation of the monastery was dated to the fourth century CE.Dating material: Based on the finds. Phase dateCentury: 4th c. General outline: The monastery was damaged by fire either in the Samaritan uprising or in the Persian occupation and was later rebuilt.Dating material: New mosaic pavements were laid over the ash layer. Phase dateCentury: 7th c.Within century: First half General outline: According to Arubas and Goldfus, the monastery was abandoned in the middle or the end of the seventh century.Phase dateCentury: 7th c.Within century: Second half Post Arab conquest history: Still in use
