Kochav Ya'akov cave - Hermitage

The survey of the cave showed that the cave had been occupied during several historical periods, including the Byzantine period. Across the wadi, on the northern bank, are the remains of a communal monastery (see Wadi Shiban). Above the constructed remains, in the cliff face are several caves that show signs of eremitic occupation and it is likely that they served the monastery. The association between the monastery and the Kochav Ya'akov cave is not clear. One possibility is that, like the caves located closer to the monastery, it formed an integral part of the latter and served as a dwelling for some of its monks. The second possibility is that like some other known monasteries (Choziba) it was a composite monastery with a central coenobium and outlying cells. It is also possible that the cave was occupied by hermits who did not belong to the monastic community of the Wadi Shiban monastery. Another cave, also shown to have been occupied by monks is located ca. one km distant, in the cliff of Wadi Burka (see relevant page) may have been a part of the same complex.