Ramat Beth Shemesh - Monastery (?)

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Monastery name, type, category

Site Name:

Ramat Beth Shemesh

Monastery name:

Monastery (?)

Monastery type:

Cenobium

Monastery category:

Isolated in the countryside

Location

Coordinates, ITM system:

199,191.00

625,831.00

Coordinates, ICS system:

149,187.00

125,829.00

Geographical region:

Shephelah

Provincial affiliation:

Palaestina I

Bishopric:

Eleutheropolis

Topographical location:

Hills

Distance from nearest bishop-seat:

ca. 17 km (eleutheropolis)

Distance from Roman roads:

ca. 5 km north of the road connecting Beth Govrin-Eleutheropolis with the Judean hills.

Source of knowledge

Archaeological remains

Surveyed site

Surveyors:

Name	Date
Zilberbod	2014

Excavated site

Excavators:

Name	Date
Zilberbod	2014

Abbreviation for Journals and Series

Discussion:

The plan of the site is strongly suggestive of a communal monastery. However, the absence of a church or any remains pointing to its presence, such as fragments of liturgical furniture prevents a positive identification. Zilberbod, who excavated the site suggests that the church was located on the second story but no remains pointing to this have been found (pending publication).

State of certainty:

Uncertain / Questionable

General description

State of preservation/which parts were uncovered:

The site was found in a survey prior to urban development of the region. The excavation revealed a complex, possibly monastic, composed of two wings: a residential wing and an industrial one. The structure was constructed of ashlars, plastered on the inside.

Illustrative material:

Illustrative_material

Photos

Ramat beth Shemesh- view of the site (IAA 2014).

Figures

Ramat Beth Shemesh- plan of the site (IAA 2014)

Ramat Beth Shemesh- plan of the winepress (IAA 2014)

General description

Enclosing walls:

The complex is enclosed in walls.

Courtyards:

A large courtyard is located between the two wings of the complex.

Dwellings:

The southern wing consists of four rooms all of which are paved with colorful mosaics. One of the mosaic pavements features a bunch of grapes.

Cave/s:

A cave was found at the site.

Baking oven:

Two large baking ovens.

Water installations:

A sophisticated water system was uncovered.

Agricultural and industrial installations:

A large winepress with two pressing floors with a large collection vat.

A large oil press.

Small finds

Small finds:

Category	Description
Pottery	Byznatine; Early Islamic.
Other	Roof tiles

Comments, discussion and summary:

The large industrial installations unearthed at the site are strong pointers to its economy. The unusual items are the two large installations identified as baking ovens by the excavator. Ovens have been found in other monasteries (Kh. ed-Deir in the Judean Desert is a fine example), but this is the only place where two such installations were uncovered.

Detailed description

Structure

Materials applied (walls):

Limestone

Materials applied (roofing):

tiles

Components

Enclosing wall

Courtyard/s

Monastery church:

Church type	Diakonikon	Link to church section	Church location
No traces

Dwelling type:

cells

Number of stories:

Storage facilities – warehouses

Baking oven

Agricultural installations:

oil press\es [=o/p]

wine press\es [=w/p]

Water installations:

Cisterns

Architectural evolution

Phase 1
Abandonment

Phase date

Century:

5th-6th c.

Phase date

Century:

7th c.

Within century:

First half

Iconoclastic evidence

Iconoclastic evidence:

Post Arab conquest history:

Ceased to function

Post conquest history comments:

The site was abandoned at the end of the Byzantine period. It was later reoccupied by a different population. The debris of the Byzantien site was cleared out of the complex into pits and structural changes were made, especially in the olive press. The site was abandoned by the end of the eighth century.