Vertical tabsMonastery name, type, category(active tab)LocationSource of knowledgeGeneral descriptionDetailed descriptionArchitectural evolutionMonastery name, type, categorySite Name: Khirbet khudriaIdentification: The site was identified by Guérin as Biblical Ai.Monastery name: Monastery (?)Monastery type: CenobiumMonastery category: Isolated in the countrysideFormer ruinSource of sacredness: Old Testament site LocationCoordinates, ITM system: 22,744.0064,661.00 Coordinates, ICS system: 17,744.0014,661.00 Geographical region: Samaria Desert FringesProvincial affiliation: Palaestina IBishopric: JerusalemTopographical location: On a moderate slope.Distance from nearest bishop-seat: ca. 15 km (Jerusalem).Distance from Roman roads: ca. 4.2 km from the road connecting Jerusalem with Shechem-Neapolis. Source of knowledgeHide Archaeological remainsSurveyed siteSurveyors: NameDate NameDate Guérin1868-69 Conder and Kitchener1871-77 Magen and Finkelstein1986 Finkelstein, Lederman and Bunimovitz1981-1985 Excavated siteExcavators: NameDate NameDate Callaway1960's Bibliograpy: Guérin, V., 1869III: 57-59 Conder, C. R. and Kitchener, H. H., 1883118 Schoonover, K., 1968247 Callaway, J. A., Harvey, D., Schoonover, K., Ward, J. M., Vine, K. and Livingston, G. H., 19694 Schoonover, K., 1969423-26 Biran, A., 196946 Callaway, J. A. and Livingston, G. H., 197010 Bagatti, B., 1979 Ovadiah, A. and De Silva, C. G., 1981234-36 Magen, Y. and Finkelstein, I., 199388 Tsafrir, Y., Di Segni, L. and Green, J., 1994168 Finkelstein, I., Bunimvitz, S. and Lederman, Z., 1997II: 536 Bagatti, B., 200235-38 Magen, Y. and Kagan, E. D., 2012244-45 Abbreviation for Journals and SeriesDiscussion: The site of the monastery was partially excavated in the 1960's in the area suggested to have been Biblical 'Ai. The excavation results were not published. The identification of the complex as a monastery was based on a chapel and two other rooms that were uncovered. This identification has been accepted by some (Magen and Kagan 2013 I: 244-245, no. 116) although a plan was not published. The similarity of some of the elements to those found in other monastic sites lends some support to the suggestion that this was a monastery.State of certainty: Uncertain / Questionable General descriptionState of preservation/which parts were uncovered: The apse of a church and two other rooms of unknown function were uncovered in the excavation. Hide General descriptionChurche/s: The apse of the church was uncovered. The church was paved in a polychrome mosaic. A chancel screen with a Greek inscription was observed in secondary use in the nearby village of Deir Dibwan, attributed by Bagatti to this church. Burials: Tombs containing Roman and Byzantine ossuary fragments were found nearby. Cave/s: A cave was located nearby. Water installations: Three large cisterns were found. Agricultural and industrial installations: Industrial structures were uncovered north of the church, as well as a wine press and an oil press. Hide Small findsSmall finds: CategoryDescription CategoryDescription Oil lampsFragments of oil lamps in the tombs. OtherFragments of ossuary Detailed descriptionHide StructureMaterials applied (walls): Limestone Hide ComponentsMonastery church: Church typeDiakonikonLink to church sectionChurch location Church typeDiakonikonLink to church sectionChurch location basilicalGround floor Baptismal fontTombs type: Burial chamberAgricultural installations: oil press\es [=o/p]wine press\es [=w/p]Water installations: Cisterns Architectural evolutionPhase 1 Abandonment General outline: A church and two unidentified adjacent rooms (not published).Dating material: Byzantine, based on the finds. Hide Phase dateCentury: Early Christian / Byzantine General outline: Iconoclastic evidence points to the continued use of the church at least into the 8th c.Hide Phase dateCentury: Unknown Hide Iconoclastic evidenceIconoclastic evidence: YesIconoclastic evidence comments: Damage repaired. Post Arab conquest history: Still in use
