Vertical tabsMonastery name, type, categorySite Name: Qasr Abu Leimun; Kusr Umm el-LeimunMonastery name: Monastery (?)Monastery type: CenobiumMonastery category: Isolated in the countryside LocationCoordinates, ITM system: 22,119.0061,509.00 Coordinates, ICS system: 17,119.0011,509.00 Geographical region: Judean Desert fringesProvincial affiliation: Palaestina IBishopric: JerusalemTopographical location: On a spur extending eastward from Wadi Khareitun.Soils: Rocky limestoneDistance from nearest bishop-seat: ca. 16 km (Jerusalem)Distance from nearest settlement: ca. 1.5 km (Thecoa)Distance from Roman roads: ca. 1 km east of the road connecting Thecoa with En Guedi. Source of knowledgeArchaeological remainsSurveyed siteSurveyors: NameDate Guérin1868-1869 Conder and Kitchener1871-1877 Marcoff and Chitty1928 Kochavi 1967-1968 Hirschfeld1983 Bibliograpy: Guérin, V., 1869III: 140 Conder, C. R. and Kitchener, H. H., 1883375 Marcoff, M. and Chitty, D. J., 1929174 Kochavi, M. and Ovadiah, R., 197247 Hirschfeld, Y., 198566-67 Tsafrir, Y., Di Segni, L. and Green, J., 1994207 Magen, Y. and Kagan, E. D., 2012160 Abbreviation for Journals and SeriesDiscussion: The monastery at Qasr Abu Leimun may have been established in a pre-existing structure. This phase consisted of an elongated hall built of ashlars with marginal drafting, suggesting a Late Roman dating- perhaps a fort. There is no certainty if and when the site became a monastery. Assuming it had, perhaps the original structure served as a church, its orientation being suitable. The second, later structure adjoining the first structure may have served for the monks as living quarters and service areas. Marcoff and Chitty proposed that the vaults of the later structure supported a second story. If this is the case, then perhaps the church was actually located there. As things stand today, the only indication that the complex was occupied by Christians is a cross carved into the lintel separating the two rooms in the western wing.State of certainty: Uncertain / Questionable General descriptionState of preservation/which parts were uncovered: The site was not excavated. The structure consists of two parts, an elongated hall on an east-west axis and an adjoining structure to its west on a north-south axis. Remains of a courtyard are located to the south. Illustrative material: Illustrative_material Figures General descriptionCourtyards: Remains of a courtyard are located south of the original structure. Churche/s: Based on its direction, the east-west orientated structure may have served as a church although there is no certainty. Marcoff and Chitty proposed that the church was constructed on the second story over the vaulted structure. Dwellings: Two rooms were constructed in the western wing of the complex. If this was a monastery, it is likely that one served as a dwelling space since no other structures exist. Small finds Detailed descriptionStructureMaterials applied (walls): LimestoneMaterials applied (roofing): stone ComponentsCourtyard/sMonastery church: Church typeDiakonikonLink to church sectionChurch location unknown Inscribed crosses Architectural evolutionPhase 1 Phase 2 Abandonment Phase name (as published): First building phaseGeneral outline: An east-west oriented structure. The ashlars with marginal drafting suggest that in the structure's first phase it served as a fortress. The monastery may have been established here due to the orientation of the structure. Phase dateCentury: Early Christian / Byzantine Phase name (as published): The later phaseGeneral outline: Two rooms with fieldstone vaults were constructed on the western side of the original structure. A cross was carved into the lintel in the opening between the two rooms.Phase dateCentury: 5th-6th c. Phase dateCentury: Unknown
