Khirbet Umm Ḥalasa - Monastery (?)

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Monastery name, type, category

Site Name:

Khirbet Umm Ḥalasa

Identification:

This site has been suggested, among others, as the location of Euthymius' monastery near Capharbaricha as described by Cyril of Scythopolis (V. Euth. 12, 22).

Monastery name:

Monastery (?)

Monastery type:

Cenobium

Monastery category:

Isolated in the countryside

Location

Coordinates, ITM system:

21,595.00

59,951.00

Coordinates, ICS system:

16,595.00

9,951.00

Geographical region:

Hebron Hills

Provincial affiliation:

Palaestina I

Bishopric:

Eleutheropolis

Topographical location:

The site is located on a spur in a hilly area, about 3.5 km east of Tel Zif.

Distance from nearest bishop-seat:

ca. 33 km (Beth Guvrin-Eleutheropolis)

Distance from nearest settlement:

ca. 5 km (Capharbaricha)

Distance from Roman roads:

ca. 2 km east of the road leading southwards from the Judean hills.

Source of knowledge

Archaeological remains

Surveyed site

Surveyors:

Name	Date
Conder and Kitchener	1871-1877

Bibliograpy:

Conder, C. R. and Kitchener, H. H., 1883	371
Amit, D., 1997	259-70 (English summary XXIV)
Tal, N., 1997	271-90 (English summary XXV)
Batz, S., 2006	46-48
Magen, Y. and Kagan, E. D., 2012	222-23

Abbreviation for Journals and Series

Discussion:

The site was identified as a coenobitic monastery by Amit (1997:259-270) but this identification is disputed by Batz (2006: 46) according to whom, the site is that of an elaborate farmhouse.

State of certainty:

Uncertain / Questionable

General description

State of preservation/which parts were uncovered:

The site is located about 3.5 km south of the village of Bani Na’im in the Hebron Hills. It consists of a complex of rooms surrounded by a wall, a chapel, a tower, caves and agricultural elements.

Illustrative material:

Illustrative_material

Photos

Kh. Umm Ḥalasa- rolling stone at the monastery entrance (Magen and Kagan 2012 II: 223, no. 307).

Figures

Umm Halasa- plan of the structure (Batz 2006: 139)

General description

Enclosing walls:

The complex, which is trapezoid, is surrounded by an ashlar built wall (47.3 x 44.4 x 38.3 x 37.8 m).

Gate/s:

The main entrance was on the southern side of the compound. A rolling stone was located on the inner side of the entrance.

Courtyards:

From the entrance, a corridor led to a central courtyard.

Tower/s:

A square room (5 x 5 m), in the northwestern corner, apparently served as a watch-tower. The entrance to the tower was not located.

Churche/s:

In the northeastern corner of the complex, a room was found that had a curved wall in its eastern part. This was probably an internal apse of a chapel. The room had been paved in a mosaic attested by tesserae in red, black and white scattered around.

Dwellings:

Remains of rooms adjoined the northern wall of the complex, their function unidentified.

Refectory:

See above (dwellings).

Burials:

It has been suggested that the cave in the chapel precinct served as a burial place for the abbot.

Cave/s:

From the chapel, an opening led to a cave (see above Burials). A second cave was found beneath the courtyard.

Baking oven:

A round facility, 3 m in diameter, was found in the complex. This may have served as an oven.

Water installations:

A hewn cistern was located beneath the corridor that led to the central courtyard, a second cistern was located beneath the northern part of the courtyard itself.

Agricultural and industrial installations:

Remains of an oil press were found in a cave near the complex which may have served originally as a burial. Other agricultural elements were found including an improved winepress and terraces.

Small finds

Small finds:

Category	Description
Pottery	Shards dated to the sixth to eighth centuries CE.
Coins	Dated to the fifth century CE.
Stone vessels	Fragments of marble vessels
Other	Roof tiles

Detailed description

Dimensions:

Total area (sqm)	Size class
2,000	Large

Structure

Materials applied (walls):

Limestone

Materials applied (roofing):

tiles

Components

Enclosing wall

Rolling stone:

at gate

Number of rolling stone:

Tower/s

Courtyard/s

Monastery church:

Church type	Diakonikon	Link to church section	Church location
single nave			Ground floor

Number of stories:

Baking oven

Tombs type:

Burial chamber

Agricultural installations:

oil press\es [=o/p]

wine press\es [=w/p]

Terraces [=t]

Water installations:

Cisterns

Architectural evolution

Phase 1
Abandonment

General outline:

A walled complex with several structures including a curved wall suggesting the presence of a chapel.

Dating material:

Second half of the sixth century CE to the eighth century, based on the finds.

Phase date

Century:

6th c.

Within century:

Second half

Phase date

Century:

8th c.

Post Arab conquest history:

Still in use

Post conquest history comments:

An olive press was installed in one of the caves.