Vertical tabsMonastery name, type, categorySite Name: Qasr KhalifeMonastery name: MonasteryMonastery type: CenobiumMonastery category: Isolated in the countrysideFormer fortress LocationCoordinates, ITM system: 21,420.0060,840.00 Coordinates, ICS system: 16,420.0010,840.00 Geographical region: Judean Desert fringesProvincial affiliation: Palaestina IBishopric: EleutheropolisTopographical location: ValleySoils: Rocky limestoneDistance from nearest bishop-seat: ca. 28 km (Beth Guvrin-Eleutheropolis)Distance from nearest settlement: ca. 2.5 km (Beit Anun)Distance from Roman roads: ca. 2.5 km west of the road leading from Thecoa to the eastern Negev. Source of knowledgeArchaeological remainsSurveyed siteSurveyors: NameDate Kochavi1967-68 Excavated siteExcavators: NameDate Magen1995-1996 Bibliograpy: Kochavi, M. and Ovadiah, R., 197256 Hirschfeld, Y., 197981 Tsafrir, Y., Di Segni, L. and Green, J., 1994207 Magen, Y., 2008177-216 Magen, Y. and Kagan, E. D., 2012191-92 Magen, Y., 2012203-26 Abbreviation for Journals and SeriesDiscussion: Magen, who excavated the site, suggested that the monastery was a small laura occupied by a few monks dwelling in the caves in the vicinity. He added that owing to poor resources and the poverty of the monks, the hall in building 1 was transformed into a chapel but no other elements of a chapel were added. The monks tended the vineyards for the production of wine and the wine jars were stored in the caves. It has also been pointed out that most of the towers and later, the monasteries, in the eastern and southern desert fringe of the Hebron Hills and southern Samaria were built above caves.State of certainty: Archaeologicaly definitive General descriptionIllustrative material: Illustrative_material Photos Figures General descriptionPaths: The path leading to the monastery was marked by two stone walls that served as terraces. Enclosing walls: The complex (31 x 21 m) is surrounded by a carelessly built defensive wall of field stones. Gate/s: The entrance to the complex is on its northern side. In front of the entrance, a large courtyard was hewn into the bedrock and the entrance (1.20 m wide) was closed by means of a wooden door. Courtyards: In front of the entrance, a large courtyard was hewn into the bedrock. A small oblong courtyard was reached from the entrance. The courtyard was partially hewn into the bedrock and partially paved with irregular flagstones. A third, larger courtyard, belonging to the first phase, had a cistern in it. And a fourth courtyard was located in the southern part of building III, belonging to the second phase. Tower/s: In the center of the complex there is a tower (8 x 7.6 m), that had been built in the late Roman period. The entrance to the tower was protected by a rolling stone added in the second phase of occupation. Churche/s: In the southeastern corner of the complex, part of the original phase I building (12.5 x 7.5 m) was converted into a chapel (6.30 x 6.10 m). A white mosaic pavement was added with a cross in its center in red and black tesserae. A room adjoining the chapel on its western side (6.20 x 3.75 m) is also adorned with a mosaic cross. A narrow staircase leading to a second story was added at a later stage. Dwellings: It has been suggested that the local monks lived in the nearby caves , as no residential rooms were identified. However, the staircase attests to a second storey which might have housed the living quarters of the monks. Storage facilities: A rectangular room adjacent to the winepress, on the north, served as a storeroom or a stable. Cave/s: Near the main entrance to the compound was a staircase that led down to a natural cave, it had partially collapsed. Building II was erected above this cave. Stable: (see Storage facilities) Water installations: A cistern was located in the courtyard belonging to the early phase of the complex. In building III of the second phase, a large cistern was apparently initially hewn in the first phase and re-plastered in the monastic phase. Agricultural and industrial installations: An improved winepress (7 x 6.50 m) built on two levels was uncovered in building IV, constructed in the second phase. The treading floor was paved in a white mosaic and a collecting vat (1.50 x 1.50 x 0.60 m deep) was located in the eastern part of the floor. Small findsSmall finds: CategoryDescription PotteryBowls; roulette bowl; basins; jars; jugs; flasks; casserole lid; casserole; cooking pots. Oil lampsA large "candlestick" lamp. Detailed descriptionDimensions: Total area (sqm)Size class 651Small StructureMaterials applied (walls): LimestoneMaterials applied (roofing): tilestimber ComponentsEnclosing wallGate/s: 1Rolling stone: at towerNumber of rolling stone: 1Tower/sCourtyard/sMonastery church: Church typeDiakonikonLink to church sectionChurch location single naveDiakonikonGround floor Dwelling type: cavesNumber of stories: 2Storage facilities – warehousesStableBuilt pathsAgricultural installations: wine press\es [=w/p]Terraces [=t]Water installations: Cisterns Architectural evolutionPhase 1 Phase 2 Abandonment General outline: Established in the sixth century, in a pre-existing complex dating to the late Roman period.Dating material: Based on the architecture. Phase dateCentury: 6th c. General outline: The monastery was surrounded with a defensive wall of fieldstones and a rolling stone installed at the tower. Additional structures were built, including a winepress and a stable. Dating material: Sixth and seventh centuries CE based on pottery assemblage and the architecture. Phase dateCentury: 6th-7th c. General outline: Abandoned at the end of the Byzantine period. It was not occupied in the Early Islamic period.Dating material: No finds later than the Byzantine period. Phase dateCentury: 7th c.Within century: Early Post Arab conquest history: Abandoned
