Ras el Baquq - MIKRON; SMALL COENOBIUM

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Monastery name, type, category
Site Name: 
Ras el Baquq
Identification: 
The remains found at Ras el Baquq have been identified with the Small Coenobium founded by Sabas in 493 CE as part of the Great Laura. Cyril of Scythopolis tells of John Hsychast who used to bring food for the builders of the Small Coenobium located 10 stadia (1.8 km) from the hospice of the Great Laura, of which he was in charge. The monastery was identified by Corbo about two km from the Great Laura. Marcoff and Chitty had mistakenly identified the site as the tower which marked the northern boundary of the Laura.
Monastery name: 
MIKRON; SMALL COENOBIUM
Monastery type: 
Cenobium
Monastery category: 
Desert
Location
Coordinates, ITM system: 
23,210.00
62,500.00
Coordinates, ICS system: 
18,210.00
12,500.00
Geographical region: 
Judean Desert
Provincial affiliation: 
Palaestina I
Bishopric: 
Jerusalem
Topographical location: 
Hilltop
Distance from nearest bishop-seat: 
ca. 17 km (Jerusalem)
Distance from nearest settlement: 
ca. 17 km (Jerusalem)
Distance from Roman roads: 
ca. 15 km
Source of knowledge
Hide Archaeological remains
Surveyed site
Surveyors: 
NameDate
Marcoff and Chitty
1928
Patrich
1994
Bibliograpy: 
Vailhé, S., 1900
51
Marcoff, M. and Chitty, D. J., 1929
176-77
Corbo, V. C., 1958
107-08
Hirschfeld, Y., 1990
34-35
Hirschfeld, Y., 1992
26
Patrich, J., 1994
93-94
Patrich, J., 1995
145-46
Di Segni, L., 2005
163; 226
Magen, Y. and Kagan, E. D., 2012
116-17
Abbreviation for Journals and Series
Discussion: 
The site of the Small Coenobium has not been excavated. It is not known, to date, when the site was abandoned. It can be assumed that being a part of the Great Laura, the small number of monks living there would have retreated into the Great Laura when the Persian army advanced in the early seventh century, or during the Arab conquest. In later years, when the monks of the Great Laura retreated behind walls for safety, it was probably not resettled.
State of certainty: 
Archaeologically and Literarily definitive
General description
State of preservation/which parts were uncovered: 

The site, situated on a long and narrow hill, consists of several structures surrounded by a wall. The structures are dispersed in three different locations along the summit of the hill. A large structure on the east, to its west, there is a smaller structure (7 x 5 m). Further to the west, a third structure (15 x 10 m) is divided into three rooms.

Illustrative material: 
Hide General description
Paths: 

A well paved path connected the Small Coenobium with the Great Laura.

Enclosing walls: 

The wall (ca. 200 x 25 m) was constructed at the top of the slopes surrounding the site except on its southern side where the slope is particularly steep.

Tower/s: 

A massive structure (11 x 10 m) on the eastern side was supported by thick walls giving the impression of a tower.

Dwellings: 

The western structure was divided into three rooms, perhaps dwellings.

Water installations: 

A blocked cistern was identified near the smallest structure, its capstone in situ. To its northeast are remains of a channel, plastered in a light colored plaster. Two more cisterns are located west of the westernmost structure. To the west, remains of an Herodian aqueduct to Hyrcania crossed the wadi. It is possible that some of the water was incorporated into the irrigation system of the monastery (Patrich 1995: 146).

Garden: 

Near the joining point of Wadi el-Baqquq and the Kidron there are some ruins of Byzantine structures, cisterns and terraced plots. This has been identified as the location of the orchard mentioned by Cyril of Scythopolis (V. Jo. Hes. 26, 221).

Agricultural and industrial installations: 

Agricultural terraces were identified on the northern slope.

Hide Small finds
Small finds: 
CategoryDescription
Pottery
Byzantine pottery: bowls; handle of cooking pot lid; cooking pot; jars. Early Arab: jar
Detailed description
Dimensions: 
Total area (sqm)
5,000
Hide Structure
Materials applied (walls): 
Limestone
Hide Components
Enclosing wall
Monastery church: 
Church typeDiakonikonLink to church sectionChurch location
No traces
Dwelling type: 
cells
Built paths
Retaining walls
Agricultural installations: 
Terraces [=t]
Water installations: 
Cisterns
Channels
Architectural evolution
General outline: 
Several structures surrounded by a wall. Founded by Sabas in 493 CE.
Dating material: 

Literary source: Cyril of Scythopolis.

Hide Phase date
Century: 
5th-6th c.