Vertical tabsMonastery name, type, categorySite Name: Nahal SiyahMonastery name: HermitageMonastery type: Hermitage/hermitagesMonastery category: Isolated in the countryside LocationCoordinates, ITM system: 197,915.00745,185.00 Coordinates, ICS system: 47,873.00245,154.00 Geographical region: Mt. CarmelProvincial affiliation: Palaestina IBishopric: CaesareaTopographical location: CliffSoils: Limestone and terra rosa.Distance from nearest bishop-seat: ca. 21 km (Acco-Ptolomais)Distance from Roman roads: ca. 1 km west of the coastal road. Source of knowledgeArchaeological remainsSurveyed siteSurveyors: NameDate Conder and Kitchener1871-1877 Bibliograpy: de Vogüé, M. , 1860 Conder, C. R. and Kitchener, H. H., 1881 Friedman, E., 1979 Abbreviation for Journals and SeriesDiscussion: The cave in Nahal Siyah was identified by the surveyors as a hermits' cave of the Byzantine period. The absence of any Christian signs and dating material casts doubt on the identification. Since a Latin monastic presence is known from the Middle ages, it is more likely that the cave served the Carmelite monastery in Nahal Siyah of that period. State of certainty: Uncertain / Questionable General descriptionGeneral descriptionCave/s: The hermitage consists of a rock-hewn two-storied cave on the cliff. The cave entrance (1.5×2 m) has recesses for hinges cut in the doorjambs and a threshold (0.9 m wide). To the right of the entrance, one meter above the floor there is a hewn niche (0.4×0.7×0.7 m). The lower level of the cave (5×5 m, 2 m high) has a square, central rock-hewn pillar (1×1 m), which supports the ceiling. A rock-hewn shelf (0.7 m high), with seven hewn depressions (four of them measure 0.5×0.5 m, the other three—0.35×0.45 m; mangers?), runs the length of the eastern wall. Also hewn in the eastern wall is a staircase, consisting of eleven steps, leading to the upper level, which has five rock-hewn recesses (0.35×0.55–0.65 m) in the northeastern corner. Other recesses were hewn in the wall opposite the entrance. Hewn perforations in the cave walls are apparently for tying animals. The upper level (4×5 m) has a balcony with a rock-hewn parapet. In the northern wall, 0.6 m above the floor are three rock-hewn niches. Stable: The surveyors have suggested that the depressions in the lower cave may have served as mangers and hewn perforations in the wall of the cave may have been for tying animals. Water installations: A spring is located close to the cave. Small finds Detailed descriptionDimensions: Total area (sqm)Size class 45Small ComponentsMonastery church: Church typeDiakonikonLink to church sectionChurch location No traces Dwelling type: cavesStableWater installations: Spring Architectural evolutionPhase 1 Abandonment General outline: The site consists of a two storied cave, possibly a hermitage. A hewn staircase connects the two levels.Dating material: No material for dating was reported by the surveyors. Phase dateCentury: Unknown Phase dateCentury: Unknown
