Vertical tabsMonastery name, type, categorySite Name: Nestorian hermitageIdentification: The "Nestorian Hermitage" was identified as such based on a Syriac inscription that was found in the mosaic pavement of the structure. A vessel (bowl with lid) found in the dwelling, whose provenance is Mesopotamia and the Persian Gulf region supports this identification.Monastery name: HermitageMonastery type: Hermitage/hermitagesMonastery category: Desert LocationCoordinates, ITM system: 24,600.0064,100.00 Coordinates, ICS system: 19,600.0014,100.00 Geographical region: Southern Jordan ValleyProvincial affiliation: Palaestina IBishopric: Regio JerichoTopographical location: On level ground.Soils: MarlDistance from nearest bishop-seat: 1 km (Jericho)Distance from nearest settlement: 1 km (Jericho)Distance from Roman roads: ca. 1 km north of the road leading eastwards from Jericho. Source of knowledgeHideEpigraphy Text number Summary 1 Syriac building inscription of the founders of the monastery, at the centre of the mosaic pavement of the chapel. Archaeological remainsExcavated siteExcavators: NameDate Baramki and Stephan1933 Bibliograpy: Baramki, D. C. and Stephan, H., 193581-86 Hirschfeld, Y., 198358-59 Fiey, J. M., 198334-38 Hirschfeld, Y., 199073 Tsafrir, Y., Di Segni, L. and Green, J., 1994196 Schick, R., 1995 Magen, Y. and Kagan, E. D., 2012270 Abbreviation for Journals and SeriesDiscussion: The "Nestorian Hermitage" was originally dated by the excavators to the 9th century based on the Syriac inscription in the chapel floor (Baramki and Stephan 1935). This dating was disputed by Hirschfeld who dated the site generally to the Byzantine period, based on the pottery. A different assessment by Fiey (1983: 34-38) has placed the foundation of the site in the mid- 7th century, based on the finds, especially on a lidded bowl whose provenance is in Mesopotamia and the Persian Gulf area. This type of vessel was produced starting in the mid- 7th century, reaching its peak in the eighth century. Fiey argues that the hermitage that was excavated was only one part of a larger monastery whose other structures did not survive.State of certainty: Archaeologicaly definitive General descriptionState of preservation/which parts were uncovered: The site's remains were in a poor state of preservation, having been constructed mostly of sun-dried brick. In some of the walls, only the inner face of the wall remains. Illustrative material: Illustrative_material Figures General descriptionChurche/s: A chapel (ca. 8 x 6 m) with a niche in the northern wall is located south of the dwelling cell. The floor of the chapel is paved with a mosaic, in the center of which is an inscription in Syriac. Dwellings: A large monastic cell was reached through an openning in the wall of the chapel. The cell was paved in stone slabs laid in a cross pattern. A bench or table stood on each side of the cell. Storage facilities: A niche was located in the western wall of the dwelling cell where pottery, glass, and bronze objects were found. The niche apparantly served for storage of various household elements and may have been used to store food as well. Small findsSmall finds: CategoryDescription PotteryA blue glazed bowl with a lid; a fragment of a pottery pipe; Byzantine potsherds were scattered around the site. GlassTwo glass hanging lamps. Metal objectsA bronze censer (badly corroded); a bronze chain, with a Maltese cross, probably for suspending a lamp. Stone vesselsA cup shaped stone containing a small amount of sulfur. Small finds illustrative material: Illustrative_material Photos Figures Detailed descriptionDimensions: Total area (sqm)Size class 174Small StructureMaterials applied (walls): Brick ComponentsMonastery church: Church typeDiakonikonLink to church sectionChurch location single naveGround floor Dwelling type: cellsNumber of stories: 1Storage facilities – warehouses0 Architectural evolutionPhase 1 Abandonment General outline: A chapel and a dwelling cell.Dating material: Foundation was dated to the mid seventh century. It probably existed for a short duration only. Phase dateCentury: 7th c.Within century: Mid Iconoclastic evidenceIconoclastic evidence: No General outline: The hermitage continued to exist for some time into the Early Islamic period, based on the blue glazed bowl and on the inscription. Its abandonment was probably a peaceful one since the finds were in a good state of preservation, had been place in the niche in an orderly fashion and had not been disturbed.Phase dateCentury: 7th-8th c. Iconoclastic evidenceIconoclastic evidence: No Post Arab conquest history: Abandoned
