Vertical tabsMonastery name, type, categorySite Name: Mu'arrash Ba'raMonastery name: Monastery (?)Monastery type: CenobiumMonastery category: Isolated in the countrysideFormer fortress LocationCoordinates, ITM system: 19,535.0061,141.00 Coordinates, ICS system: 14,535.0011,141.00 Geographical region: ShephelahProvincial affiliation: Palaestina IBishopric: EleutheropolisTopographical location: On a hill among the foothills of JudeaDistance from nearest bishop-seat: ca. 6 km (Eleutheropolis)Distance from nearest settlement: ca. 6 km (Eleutheropolis)Distance from Roman roads: ca. 6 km from the road connecting Eleutheropolis with Jerusalem. Source of knowledgeArchaeological remainsSurveyed siteSurveyors: NameDate Conder and Kitchener1871-1877 Samaria and Judea Staff Officerunpublished Bibliograpy: Conder, C. R. and Kitchener, H. H., 1883375 Tsafrir, Y., Di Segni, L. and Green, J., 1994189 Magen, Y. and Kagan, E. D., 2012168 Abbreviation for Journals and SeriesDiscussion: Magen suggested that the site was a monastery built in the remains of a fourth century Roman fortress in the manner of other forts and towers in the Hebron and southern and western Samaria areas (Magen and Kagan 2012 II:168, no. 267). All the elements noted in the survey, i.e. the closed compound, towers, courtyards and complex of rooms suggest that the site served as a monastery. Winepresses and a columbarium cave found nearby and the oil press found in the compound, testify to the agricultural nature of the site. The compound and incorporation of a Late Roman fort into a cohesive complex has parallels in the monasteries of the Hebron hill area. A church is not mentioned in the finds of the survey, its absence and the absence of any remains indicating its existence does not allow a difinitive identification of the complex as a monastery. A cross carved into a lintel confirms that the site was a Christian one.State of certainty: Uncertain / Questionable General descriptionState of preservation/which parts were uncovered: In the survey, a large site was identified, spread over an area of 10,000 m2, in the center of which is the suggested monastic complex. Illustrative material: Illustrative_material Photos General descriptionEnclosing walls: The site forms a rectangular compound (70 x 30 m). Gate/s: The entrance to the compound was through its western wall. Courtyards: A courtyard (15 x 10 m) was located east of the compound bounded by walls of dressed stone. South of the rooms, along the southern walls, was an area of leveled bedrock bounded by walls of fieldstones. Tower/s: Two towers were located adjacent to the northern wall, each measuring 10 x 10 m. Dwellings: Rooms had been constructed along the southern wall of the compound. Although the nature of the rooms was not ascertained, some of these may have served as dwellings. Agricultural and industrial installations: A crushing stone of an oil press was found in the westernmost room of the row of rooms in the southern part of the compound. A number of winepresses were found nearby. Small finds Detailed descriptionDimensions: Total area (sqm)Size class 2,100Large StructureMaterials applied (walls): Limestone ComponentsEnclosing wallGate/s: 1Tower/sCourtyard/sMonastery church: Church typeDiakonikonLink to church sectionChurch location No traces Agricultural installations: oil press\es [=o/p]wine press\es [=w/p]Water installations: CisternsInscribed crosses Architectural evolutionPhase 1 Abandonment General outline: Based on the existence of the towers, the site was apparently a Late Roman fortress. If this was a monastery it consisted of a walled complex with the two towers and agricultral installations.Dating material: Possibly late fifth to sixth century, based on parallels in the area (Kh. Ed-Duweir, Qasr Khalife, Kh. El Qasr). Phase dateCentury: 5th-6th c. Phase dateCentury: Unknown Post Arab conquest history: ModifiedPost conquest history comments: An oil press was established at the site in the Early Islamic period.
