Vertical tabsMonastery name, type, categorySite Name: Shoham bypass roadMonastery name: Monastery (?)Monastery type: CenobiumMonastery category: Village LocationCoordinates, ITM system: 19,558.0065,568.00 Coordinates, ICS system: 14,557.0011,557.00 Geographical region: ShephelahProvincial affiliation: Palaestina IBishopric: DiospolisTopographical location: On fairly level ground at the foot of the Samarian hills.Soils: Dolomite and chalkDistance from nearest bishop-seat: ca. 7.5 km northeast of Lod-DiospolisDistance from Roman roads: ca. 4 km south of the road connecting Lod-Diospolis with Shechem-Neapolis. Source of knowledgeArchaeological remainsExcavated siteExcavators: NameDate Dahari and Ad1995-1996 Bibliograpy: Dahari, U. and 'Ad, U., 199879-83 Patrich, J., 2006341-93 Dayan, A., 201589 Abbreviation for Journals and SeriesDiscussion: The Byzantine period settlers were clearly Christian as indicated by the church at the site and other finds. Former fortresses that had been converted into monasteries are well known. As such we find Deir Qal'a, Deir Sam'an and others in the Samarian hills, Nuseib 'Uweishira, Hyrcania and Masada in the Judean Desert. Based on these parallels, it is possible that the site at Shoham became a monastery in a similar manner. The enclosing wall around the complex lends support to a monastic identification. If this site was indeed a monastery, the olive and wine presses point to its economy. However, the excavators were reluctant to identify the site unequivocally as a monastery and preferred to name it a "settelment" (Dahari and Ad 1998). The removal of the church altar in the Early Islamic period and its replacement with a baptismal font may point to a change in the population. Although baptismal fonts have been found in monasteries (Ben Pechat 1990), such a feature would be necessary for a Christian village where children were born and needed to be baptized. It might be suggested that the site was founded as a monastery and functioned up to the 7th century when it perhaps became a refuge for Christians who had abandoned their settlements due to the events of the first half of that century, thereby becoming a Christian village, its fortifications lending a sense of security to the residents.State of certainty: Uncertain / Questionable General descriptionState of preservation/which parts were uncovered: The Byzantine period structure was built over the remains of structures dating to earlier periods (Iron through Late Roman). It is a complex with a perimeter wall surrounding it, a church, industrial installations and other components. The function of various structures within the compound was not ascertained. Illustrative material: Illustrative_material Figures General descriptionEnclosing walls: The complex was surrounded by enclosing walls (dimensions were not provided). Courtyards: Several courtyards were noted. Churche/s: The church is a basilica fronted by a narthex and an atrium with a single external apse. Stairs lead from the atrium to the narthex. The bema is raised 2-3 steps above the prayer hall floor. It was separated from the hall by a chancel screen. The nave and north aisle are paved in a polychrome mosaic. auxiliary rooms were found north of the basilica. In a later phase, the two northern rooms were joined to form a chapel with a square apse. Burials: A crypt was uncovered beneath the atrium pavement, six steps lead down to it. The crypt (3 x 3 m) is hewn into the rock with three trough tombs. Over 100 skeletons were found, the top ones damaged by fire. Storage facilities: East of the oil press, an elongated hall paved in a coarse white mosaic was located. The hall may have been used to store the oil produced in the press. Agricultural and industrial installations: A winepress was found nearby and three oil presses, one of which was found complete with two screw presses. Two collection vats were sunk into the floor of the hall. Small findsSmall finds: CategoryDescription PotteryA fragment of a vessel with a stamp of a winged angel bearing a cross, dated to the Umayyad period. Stone vesselsA fragment of a marble basin, found in the atrium. GlassThree glass bottles ; a glass thimble- both found in the crypt Metal objectsA bronze censer found on the steps leading from the atrium to the narthex. CoinsTwo hoards of gold coins in small juglets found below the pavement in a room in the northeastern part of the site. All the coins are of Herakles, the last Byzantine emperor before the Arab conquest. OtherLid of a reliquary. Detailed descriptionStructureMaterials applied (walls): LimestoneMaterials applied (roofing): tilestimber ComponentsEnclosing wallCourtyard/sMonastery church: Church typeDiakonikonLink to church sectionChurch location basilicalGround floor Baptismal fontNumber of stories: 1Storage facilities – warehousesTombs type: Burial chamberAgricultural installations: oil press\es [=o/p]wine press\es [=w/p] Architectural evolutionPhase 1 Phase 2 Abandonment General outline: The site, originally a Hasmonean fortress, became a Christian settlement towards the end of the fifth century CE, possibly a monastery, consisting of an enclosing wall, courtyards, a basilical church and agricultural installations.Dating material: Based on architecture and the finds. Phase dateCentury: 5th c.Within century: Late General outline: Spaces, yards and streets were blocked off, new structures were constructed on the outskirts. The altar in the church was removed and a baptismal font installed in its place.Dating material: Based on architecture and finds. Numismatics Phase dateCentury: 7th-8th c. General outline: The church ceased to function in the Abbasid period, the settlement continued to exist until the tenth century.Phase dateCentury: 10th c.Within century: Mid Iconoclastic evidenceIconoclastic evidence: No Post Arab conquest history: ModifiedPost conquest history comments: The settlement continued to exist throughout the Umayyad and Abbasid periods, some modifications were made. The site was abandoned in the 10th century after the church was destroyed by fire.
