Vertical tabsMonastery name, type, categorySite Name: Wadi el-'EinMonastery name: MonasteryMonastery type: CenobiumMonastery category: Isolated in the countryside LocationCoordinates, ITM system: 22,329.0064,404.00 Coordinates, ICS system: 17,329.0014,404.00 Geographical region: Samaria Desert FringesProvincial affiliation: Palaestina IBishopric: JerusalemTopographical location: In the upper part of Nahal Michmas.Soils: Rocky limestoneDistance from nearest bishop-seat: ca. 10 km (Jerusalem)Distance from Roman roads: ca. 3 km east of the road connecting Jerusalem with Shechem-Neapolis. Source of knowledgeArchaeological remainsSurveyed siteSurveyors: NameDate Ḥanin1985 Hirschfeld1985 Magen and Finkelstein1993 Bibliograpy: Ḥanin, N., 1985109-110 Hirschfeld, Y., 198754-55 Magen, Y. and Finkelstein, I., 1993173 Tsafrir, Y., Di Segni, L. and Green, J., 1994256 Magen, Y. and Kagan, E. D., 2012265 Abbreviation for Journals and SeriesState of certainty: Archaeologicaly definitive General descriptionState of preservation/which parts were uncovered: The site was not excavated. Surveys showed the remains of structures built around a central courtyard and dwelling caves in the cliff nearby. General descriptionCourtyards: The site consists of a number of monastic cells surrounding a central courtyard. Churche/s: A rectangular building is located in the complex of structures. It is built of well dressed stones and has an entrance in the west. Remains of what may have been an apse suggest identifying the structure as a church. Dwellings: The structures surrounding the courtyard were identified in the survey as monastic cells. Cave/s: Three dwelling caves are located in the cliff near the complex. The caves have hewn, rectangular openings, near them are signs of hewing in the rock, apparently for fitting awnings and for access to the caves. Channels are also hewn in the rock. Water installations: Three cisterns are located at the foot of the cliff, these are hewn and plastered. The fourth reservoir, ca. 20 m south of the cliff, has a constructed roof supported by stone arches. Hewn channels collected water. Small findsSmall finds: CategoryDescription PotteryMany shards of Byzantine pottery, scattered around the site. Detailed descriptionStructureMaterials applied (walls): Limestone ComponentsCourtyard/sMonastery church: Church typeDiakonikonLink to church sectionChurch location unknownGround floor Dwelling type: cellscavesWater installations: CisternsChannels Architectural evolutionPhase 1 Abandonment General outline: The site has not been excavated. It consists of several structures arranged around a central courtyard interpreted as monastic cells. Remains of a rectangular structure and a possible apse, suggest the presence of a church.Dating material: The pottery was dated generally to the Byzantine period. Phase dateCentury: Early Christian / Byzantine Dating material: Based on the absence of later finds in the survey, the site was probably abandoned in the Early Islamic period. Phase dateCentury: 7th c.
