Vertical tabsMonastery name, type, categorySite Name: Nahal HatzatzonIdentification: The hermit caves were identified in a survey in 2018. The surveyors surmise that the cells were used as isolation cells by hermits during the fast of Lent but were not in permanent use.Monastery name: HermitagesMonastery type: Hermitage/hermitagesMonastery category: Desert LocationCoordinates, ITM system: 607,679.00236,425.00 Coordinates, ICS system: 186,401.00107,676.00 Geographical location / UTM System: Geolocation is 31.56122, 36.383141Geographical region: Judean DesertProvincial affiliation: Palaestina IBishopric: JerusalemTopographical location: On the southern bank of Nahal Hatzatzon, above the high cascade. Source of knowledgeArchaeological remainsBibliograpy: Cohen, H. and Klein, E., 2019 Cohen, C. and Klein, E., 2020 Abbreviation for Journals and SeriesState of certainty: Archaeologicaly definitive General descriptionState of preservation/which parts were uncovered: Six small natural caves with a terrace in front and two built rectangular structures with an inner space of 2x2 m, interconnected by built paths. The western structure is located somewhat higher than the caves, to the north-northwest. The eastern structure is nearer and above the cascade. The structures were preserved to some 4-8 courses. General descriptionPaths: A steep undulating path, constructed in some places, leads down from the desert platteau to the west. Shorter paths interconnect the caves. The path continues some 500 m farther, east of the caves. A path leads north to the streambed where natural rock pools are to be found in the winter. Dwellings: The caves with terraces in front and the two small structures.One of the structures measured 3 x 3 m (external) with an opening in its western wall accessed via a narrow passage along the cliff wall. Three hewn steps led from the opening into the structure, its floor of leveled rock on the west and well pressed fill on the east. A stone built bench abbuted the southeastern corner of the room. The excavators suggest that the structure may have served as dwelling and a chapel. Cave/s: Six caves with terraces in front served as hermitages. Water installations: The rock pools, holding runoff water in wintertime, located in the wadi to the east of the hermitages, seem to have served as the source of water. Small findsSmall finds: CategoryDescription PotteryFew shards, dated to the 6th-7th c. RopesA short piece of rope. Comments, discussion and summary: It seems that the hermitages were used by a small group of monks only during Lent sojourn of the desert monks while wandering in the desert of Rouba. No central church or private chapels were discerned. Detailed descriptionStructureMaterials applied (walls): Limestone ComponentsDwelling type: cellscavesBuilt pathsRetaining wallsWater installations: Cisterns Architectural evolutionPhase 1 Abandonment General outline: Paths, structures and terraces in front of the 6 caves built and used.Dating material: Few potshards of the 6th-7th c. Phase dateCentury: 6th-7th c. Phase dateCentury: Unknown Post Arab conquest history: Ceased to functionConclusions: It seems that the place, difficult to be accessed and used only during Lent, ceased to exist in the 7th c., when security conditions deteriorated as a result of the Persian occupation and the Arab conquest.
