Vertical tabsMonastery name, type, categorySite Name: Khirbet el-Messani; Khirbet el-Maṣani; Khirbet al-Meṣani; Ḥorvat MiṣnaIdentification: Abel identified the church as the church of Nouveau Saint Zacharie.Monastery name: ST. ZACHARIA (?)Monastery type: CenobiumMonastery category: Isolated in the countryside LocationCoordinates, ITM system: 22,073.00634,847.00 Coordinates, ICS system: 170,498.00134,930.00 Geographical region: Judean HillsProvincial affiliation: Palaestina IBishopric: JerusalemTopographical location: On the lower reaches of a hill.Soils: Limestone and terra rosa.Distance from nearest bishop-seat: 3 km (Jerusalem)Distance from nearest settlement: 3 km (Jerusalem)Distance from Roman roads: 1.5 km west of the road leading northwards from Jerusalem. Source of knowledgeArchaeological remainsSurveyed siteSurveyors: NameDate Abel1924 Schneider1933 Mazor1984 Kloner 2001 Excavated siteExcavators: NameDate Mazor1984 Adawi and Arbib2017 Bibliograpy: Abel, F. M., 1924617 Schneider, A. M., 1933159 Crowfoot, J. W., 194171 Ovadiah, A., 197020-21 Mazor, G., 198456-57 Tsafrir, Y., Di Segni, L. and Green, J., 1994184 Mazor, G., 200017*-23* (English summary: 159) Kloner, A., 2001 Bagatti, B., 2002105-106 Magen, Y. and Kagan, E. D., 201226 Adawi, Z. and Arbiv, K., 2018149-165 Cotton, H. M., Di Segni, L., Eck, W., Isaac,B., Kushnir-Stein, A., Misgav, H., Price, J., Roll, I. and Yardeni, A., 2010–2012231 Adawi, Z. and Raviv, K., 2021 Abbreviation for Journals and SeriesDiscussion: Based on the location of the church within a compound and the additional structures therein, the site has been identified as a monastery. According to Magen, this identification is doubtful (Magen and Kagan 2012 II: 26). Although the presence of a tri-apsidal basilica in monasteries in this particular region is unusual, the evidence provided by the complex and its structure lends support to its identification as a monastery. State of certainty: Archaeologicaly definitive General descriptionState of preservation/which parts were uncovered: The church and monastic compound were excavated. Parts of the site had been destroyed by modern day quarrying. In the western wing, some rooms were unearthed but their individual functions were not discerned. Illustrative material: Illustrative_material Photos Figures General descriptionEnclosing walls: The church was located within a compound (32.9 x 28.85 m) with an area of 950 m2. Courtyards: An atrium with a pool in its center was found south of the church. Churche/s: The church (24 x 18 m) is a triapsidal basilica, the apses having been hewn in the rock, the southern apse did not survive. A baptismal font was found in the north apse. Remains of wall paintings (secco) were noted on the walls of the central apse, as was a synthronon. Incisions marked the seats on the synthronon. Remains of mosaic paving were also found. In a second phase some walls were added, separating the the nave from the aisles. The mosaic pavement was covered by a second pavement. Two fragments of a white marble reliquary with a vegetal design, two frgments of of grey marble chancel screen panels and one of limestone were found in the apse. The excavators suggested that some may have been table tops. Chancel screen colonnettes were also found along with thin marble pannels which may have belonged to wall lining. Dwellings: Structures were found west of the church, divided by thin walls into smaller spaces. These served either as dwellings or for storage. East of the prayer hall, at a higher level, two small chambers were unearthed. The excavators suggested that these may have been the dwelling cells of the hermit whose remains, wearing iron rings, were found in the cist tomb in the church. Burials: Three burials were found in the church. These are located in the bema in front of the central apse. The tombs were hewn into the bedrock. The northern tomb consists of a burial chamber (ca. 2 x 2 m) entered via a shaft in its ceiling. The chamber contained four burial troughs. Human remains of six individuals (male and female) were found in the eastern trough. The central burial was sealed and contained one burial trough containing remains of two individuals (male and female). Additional bones were of three individuals (male and female). The third burial, in the southern part of the bema was a cist tomb (1.95 x 0.65 x 0.45 [deep] m), sealed with stone flags, one of which was decorated with a cross. Some human remains were found. The interred individual was wearing iron rings around the arms, neck and calves. A small gold pendant and other metal items were also found. Water installations: A large reservoir (8.05-7.75 x 4.15-4.05, 4.10-2.80 m deep) was unearthed in the southern part of the complex. The reservoir was entirely hewn into the rock with field stone lining its western wall and the western part of the southern wall where the bedrock was low. Remains of plaster were found in the northwestern and southwestern corners.A staircase leads into the reservoir.To the east, remains of two plastered channels were found. A second reservoir (8 x 5, 4 m deep) was unearthed some 15 m east of the church, making use of a void left from a quarry. Three walls were constructed and partially preserved. The walls and floor were plastered in white plaster. The stairs leading into the reservoir were damaged by later quarrying. A third reservoir (4 x 2.5 m) was located north of the church. It was partially hewn, with its upper part constructed, and plastered in the same manner as the other two reservoirs. Small findsSmall finds: CategoryDescription PotteryByzantine and Early Islamic Metal objectsIron rings worn by the hermit; lead and iron disks; A decorative lead plaque shaped like a rooster(?); iron nails. BonesRemains of a skeleton wearing iron rings; remains of at least 6 additional burials, male and female. GlassFragments of a wine goblet dated to Byzantine period. CoinsCoins dated 4th - 6th c. (mostly 6th) and Early Islamic 7th- 8th c. JewelryA small gold cross pendant. OtherInscribed fragment of reliquary Detailed descriptionDimensions: Total area (sqm)Size class 950Medium StructureMaterials applied (walls): Limestone ComponentsEnclosing wallCourtyard/sMonastery church: Church typeDiakonikonLink to church sectionChurch location basilicalKhirbet el-Messani; Khirbet el-Maṣani; Khirbet al-Meṣani; Ḥorvat Miṣna - NEW ST. ZACHARIA (?)Ground floor Baptismal fontDwelling type: cellsTombs type: Cist tombBurial chamberWater installations: CisternsChannelsWater capacity (minimal) (cubic m): 300Painted plasterInscribed crosses Architectural evolutionPhase 1 Phase 2 Abandonment General outline: A church and other structures.Dating material: Based on the numismatic and other finds, the complex was dated to the sixth century. Phase dateCentury: 6th c. General outline: Some changes, additions and restoration took place in the Umyyad period. A second pavement was laid in the church.Dating material: Numismatics Phase dateCentury: 7th c?Within century: Second half Dating material: No finds dated to later than 8th century were reported. Phase dateCentury: 8th c. Iconoclastic evidenceIconoclastic evidence: No Post Arab conquest history: Still in use
