Vertical tabsMonastery name, type, categorySite Name: Motza (Colonia)Monastery name: ColoniaMonastery type: CenobiumMonastery category: Village LocationCoordinates, ITM system: 21,564.0063,348.00 Coordinates, ICS system: 16,564.0013,348.00 Geographical region: Judean HillsProvincial affiliation: Palaestina IBishopric: JerusalemTopographical location: The site is located in an area of steep slopes in the Judean hills.Soils: Limestone and terra rosa.Distance from nearest bishop-seat: ca. 8 km (Jerusalem)Distance from Roman roads: The site is located on the road connecting Emmaus with Jerusalem. Source of knowledgeEpigraphyArchaeological remainsSurveyed siteSurveyors: NameDate Guérin 1868-69 Magen and Finkelstein 1993 Excavated siteExcavators: NameDate Baramki1942 Antiquities Department1964, 1965 Becky1965 Eisenberg1973 Ad2020 Bibliograpy: Guérin, V., 1868-1880I: 257-62 Leibowitz, Y., 195725 Bacchi, G., 19658-10 Ovadiah, A., 1970139-40 Eisenberg, E., 197464-65 Ovadiah, A. and de Silva, C. G., 1982157 Magen, Y. and Finkelstein, I., 1993220 Tsafrir, Y., Di Segni, L. and Green, J., 1994105 Schick, R., 1995407 Goldfus, H., 1997153-56 Bagatti, B., 2002170-71 Magen, Y. and Kagan, E. D., 201223-24 Abbreviation for Journals and SeriesDiscussion: The remains that were partially uncovered across the highway were understood to have been part of a monastery associated with the basilical church uncovered in an earlier excavation. The evidence to support this identification is flimsy and it cannot be stated unequivocally that the structures actually were those of a monastery.State of certainty: Uncertain / Questionable General descriptionState of preservation/which parts were uncovered: The site is located adjacent to the highway that connected Jerusalem and Emmaus, today route no. 1. only the narthex and part of the prayer hall of the basilical church at the site were excavated. In a second excavation, remains of ashlar built structures were found across the main highway attributed to the complex, perhaps monastic buildings. Illustrative material: Illustrative_material Photos Figures General descriptionChurche/s: The church had two phases. The first, dated to the fifth century CE., was paved in a colorful mosaic with floral motifs and crosses. In the second phase, the mosaic paving was covered with plaster. A small chapel was added on the northern side of the church, entered from the north aisle. Burials: Under the southern aisle a barrel-vaulted, rock-cut tomb was found. One of the burials had drawings and inscriptions mentioning Jesus. Small findsSmall finds: CategoryDescription Inscription - see under epigraphy PotteryByzantine Glassvessels BonesHuman remains Detailed descriptionComponentsMonastery church: Church typeDiakonikonLink to church sectionChurch location basilicalDiakonikonMotza (Colonia) - ChurchGround floor Tombs type: Burial chamberWater installations: Spring0 Architectural evolutionPhase 1 Phase 2 Abandonment General outline: Only the church was excavated. Other structures, possibly belonging to a monastery are located on the opposite side of the Tel Aviv-Jerusalem highway. Based on the excavations of the church, foundation was in the fifth century. Dating material: Based on the mosaic pavement and other finds. Phase dateCentury: 5th c. General outline: In the second phase, the mosaic pavement was covered with a plaster floor. A second chapel was added north of the church. Phase dateCentury: 6th c. Phase dateCentury: Unknown
