Vertical tabsMonastery name, type, categorySite Name: Khirbet Se’arta; Ḥorvat SeorahIdentification: Hirschfeld suggested that the site west of H. Se'orah (Kh. She'arta) should be identified with the monastery or hermitage of Zeno ( Hirschfeld 2004: 73). According to the literary sources, Zeno shut himself up in a seclusion cell near the village of She'arta (V. Pet. Ib. 50; Pleroph. VIII; Chitty 1966: 73) where he eventually died. Monastery name: ZENOMonastery type: Hermitage/hermitagesMonastery category: Village LocationCoordinates, ITM system: 148,247.00590,651.00 Coordinates, ICS system: 100,817.0092,313.00 Geographical region: North-Western NegevProvincial affiliation: Palaestina IBishopric: GazaTopographical location: Level groundDistance from nearest bishop-seat: ca. 11 km (Gaza)Distance from nearest settlement: ca. 100 m (Kefar She'arta)Distance from Roman roads: ca. 1 km west of the road leading from Gaza to the central Negev. Source of knowledgeLiterary sourcesArchaeological remainsSurveyed siteSurveyors: NameDate Clermon-Ganneau 1873-1874 Gat2014 Bibliograpy: Clermont-Ganneau, C., 1896-1899 Bagatti, B., 1983 Tsafrir, Y., Di Segni, L. and Green, J., 1994165 Bitton-Ashkelony, B. and Kofsky, A., 200069-110 Bitton-Ashkelony, B. and Kofsky, A., 200014-62 Chryssavgis, John, 2003102 Bagatti, B., 2002 Hirschfeld, Y., 200461-88 Abbreviation for Journals and SeriesDiscussion: The site mentioned as the possible site of the monastery of Zeno, near H. Se'ora (Kh. She'arta) has not been excavated. There is no certainty that a monastery actually existed at the site although there is some evidence for the existence of a church. Hirschfeld wrote: "...it may be assumed that the structure on the western hill...was a monastery" (Hirschfeld 2004: 73). The literary sources, however, do not mention a monastery, only that Zeno secluded himself in a cell: "...in the little village Kefar She'arta, about fifteen miles from Gaza" (v. Pet. Ib. 50 [tr. Horn 2003:115-116]). It might be assumed, therefore, that the cell in which Zeno lived in seclusion was located at this site and a church constructed there to commemorate the place and his memory.State of certainty: Uncertain / Questionable General descriptionState of preservation/which parts were uncovered: The site extends on a hill about 100 m west of the area identified tentatively as the village of Kefar Shearta. Remains of an ancient building can be discerned. The poor state of preservation of the remains prevents reconstruction of the building's plan. Illustrative material: Illustrative_material Figures General descriptionWater installations: A typical Byzantine cistern with an estimated capacity of 40-50 cubic m is located near the structure remains. Two more cisterns were found a short distance away. Agricultural and industrial installations: A fragment of a donkey millstone. Small findsSmall finds: CategoryDescription PotteryFragments of Byzantine pottery are scattered around the site. GlassFragments of Byzantine glass are scattered around the site. Stone vesselsFragments of granite, basalt and limestone bowls and pestles. Fragments of hand operated mill (basalt) Detailed descriptionStructureMaterials applied (walls): MarbleMaterials applied (roofing): tiles ComponentsMonastery church: Church typeDiakonikonLink to church sectionChurch location unknown Water capacity (minimal) (cubic m): 40 Architectural evolutionPhase 1 Phase 2 Abandonment General outline: Zeno first secluded himself in a cell a year before the Council of Chalcedon, i.e. 450 CE (also the year of his death). Nothing is known of any remains.Dating material: Based on literary sources (see identification sectionn). Phase dateCentury: 5th c.Within century: Mid General outline: The monastery named for Zeno probably grew around his cell. Remains dating to the Byzantine period were seen scattered over the site and a cistern coated with reddish plaster identified as Byzantine.Dating material: All the finds in the surveys were identified as Byzantine. Phase dateCentury: 5th-6th c. Phase dateCentury: Unknown
