Vertical tabsMonastery name, type, categorySite Name: Khirbet FirjasMonastery name: Monastery (?)Monastery type: CenobiumMonastery category: Isolated in the countryside LocationCoordinates, ITM system: 19,549.0060,422.00 Coordinates, ICS system: 14,549.0010,422.00 Geographical region: Hebron HillsProvincial affiliation: Palaestina IBishopric: EleutheropolisTopographical location: On a hill in the western Hebron hillsDistance from nearest bishop-seat: ca. 12 km (Beth Govrin-Eleutheropolis)Distance from Roman roads: ca. 4 km north of the road leading from Eleutheropolis to Hebron Source of knowledgeEpigraphyArchaeological remainsSurveyed siteSurveyors: NameDate Conder and Kitchener1871-1877 Judea and Samaria Archaeology Staff Officer2004 Bibliograpy: Conder, C. R. and Kitchener, H. H., 1883353 Magen, Y. and Kagan, E. D., 2012196 Abbreviation for Journals and SeriesState of certainty: Uncertain / Questionable General descriptionState of preservation/which parts were uncovered: The site has been very badly damaged through agricultural development and stone robbery. One structure was completely dismantled. The survey noted several structures and a cave with an inscription and inscribed crosses. Architectural elements were found, including fragments of door postes, a lintle, a column and building stones. Illustrative material: Illustrative_material Photos General descriptionEnclosing walls: The complex was apparently encompassed in walls. Churche/s: A large, monumental, ashlar built structure in an east-west orientation was noted in the survey. However, very little remains of the structure which had been dismantled by the local population. Cave/s: A large, bell-shaped cave was located in the center of the comlex. In the cave a Greek inscription and crosses were carved into the wall. Small findsSmall finds: CategoryDescription PotteryDated to the Late Roman and the Byzantine periods. Detailed descriptionStructureMaterials applied (walls): Limestone ComponentsEnclosing wallMonastery church: Church typeDiakonikonLink to church sectionChurch location unknown Inscribed crosses Architectural evolutionPhase 1 Abandonment General outline: A complex of structures with a large bell-shaped cave in its centreDating material: Based on the pottery, the proposed monastery is dated to the Byzantine period. Phase dateCentury: Early Christian / Byzantine Phase dateCentury: Unknown
