Vertical tabsMonastery name, type, categorySite Name: Khirbet el-Kiliya; Khirbet KilyaMonastery name: MonasteryMonastery type: CenobiumMonastery category: Isolated in the countrysideFormer fortress LocationCoordinates, ITM system: 23,265.0064,875.00 Coordinates, ICS system: 18,265.0014,875.00 Geographical region: Samaria Desert FringesProvincial affiliation: Palaestina IBishopric: JerusalemTopographical location: steep slopeDistance from nearest bishop-seat: 18 km (Jericho)Distance from Roman roads: ca. 2 km from the road that connected the hill country of Samaria with Jericho. Source of knowledgeArchaeological remainsSurveyed siteSurveyors: NameDate Guérin1874-75 Conder and Kitchener1871-1877 Finkelstein, Lederman and Bunimovitz1981-1985 Magen and Finkelstein1993 Excavated siteExcavators: NameDate Magen1982-1988 Bibliograpy: Guérin, V., 1875I: 215-16 Conder, C. R. and Kitchener, H. H., 1882395 Hirschfeld, Y., 199056-57 Magen, Y., 1990321-32 Magen, Y. and Finkelstein, I., 1993307-309 Tsafrir, Y., Di Segni, L. and Green, J., 1994168 Finkelstein, I., Bunimvitz, S. and Lederman, Z., 1997II: 722 Magen, Y., 2008177-216 Magen, Y., 2012261-96 Magen, Y. and Kagan, E. D., 2012246-47 Abbreviation for Journals and SeriesState of certainty: Archaeologicaly definitive General descriptionState of preservation/which parts were uncovered: The entire structure was excavated revealing a very good state of preservation, including walls that remained to a height of several courses and about 2.50 m. Only a small part of building II (Early Arab) was excavated. Illustrative material: Illustrative_material Photos Figures General descriptionEnclosing walls: The monastery was surrounded by a wall (20.5 x 20.5 m) enclosing an area of 420 sq.m. Gate/s: The entrance to the monastery was through its southern wall. The gate had a wooden door consisting of two leaves, as indicated by the sockets on the outer side, and a rolling stone was installed on the inner side. Courtyards: The rooms of the complex surround a stone paved central courtyard (9.40 x 8.20 m). Pillars and pilasters were installed in the courtyard to bear arches supporting a second story reached via a staircase in the northeastern corner of the courtyard. A large cistern was located in the courtyard. South of the entrance, outside the structure, a paved courtyard bounded by a wall was part of the earlier fortress. Churche/s: The second story was added in the monastic phase, probably to house the church, its existence evidenced by three marble chancel screen posts. Dwellings: A row of rooms on the western side of the complex was roofed with plastered wooden beams. The rooms opened into the central courtyard. The floor was a layer of plaster over a bed of small stones. Three additional rooms were located in the eastern part of the complex. Burials: A room in the north part of the monastery served as a crypt. Beneath its mosaic floor were five tombs. Four were sarcophagus shaped, sunk into the floor and covered with stone slabs. One sarcophagus lid bore a carved cross on its inner surface. The fifth tomb was an arcosolium, hewn and constructed. 15 skeletons were found in this tomb along with many artifacts. Water installations: A large bell-shaped cistern (10 m deep) was located in the central courtyard. The walls of the cistern were coated in a thick layer of plaster dated to the fortress phase of the structure. Gutters led from the roof, through small settling pits, to the cistern. Small findsSmall finds: CategoryDescription Oil lampsFound in the crypt. GlassA complete vessel found in the crypt. Metal objectsBronze vessels; keys; a bronze arrowhead; a needle- all found in the crypt. Stone vesselsBasalt grinding tools. BonesThe skeletons of about 15 humans. Small finds illustrative material: Illustrative_material Photos Detailed descriptionDimensions: Total area (sqm)Size class 420Small StructureMaterials applied (walls): LimestoneMaterials applied (roofing): tilestimberstone ComponentsEnclosing wallGate/s: 1Rolling stone: at gateNumber of rolling stone: 1Courtyard/sMonastery church: Church typeDiakonikonLink to church sectionChurch location unknownUpper floor Dwelling type: cellsNumber of stories: 2Tombs type: Cist tombArcosoliumWater installations: CisternsChannelsGuttersInscribed crosses Architectural evolutionPhase 1 Abandonment Phase name (as published): Phase IIGeneral outline: A monastery was established in a Late Roman period fortress. Some modifications were made to the rooms. A second story was added to house the monastery's church.Dating material: 6th century based on the finds and the architecture. Phase dateCentury: 6th c. General outline: A second structure (building II) was added in the Early Islamic period serving as a center for raising flocks. Phase dateCentury: 7th-8th c. Post Arab conquest history: Ceased to functionPost conquest history comments: In the Early Islamic period a second structure was added south of the original building. The complex became a sheep farm.
