Vertical tabsMonastery name, type, categorySite Name: Khirbet el-Mukatir; Khirbet el-MaqatirMonastery name: Monastery (?)Monastery type: CenobiumMonastery category: Isolated in the countrysideFormer fortressFormer ruin LocationCoordinates, ITM system: 22,378.0064,693.00 Coordinates, ICS system: 17,378.0014,693.00 Geographical region: Samaria Desert FringesProvincial affiliation: Palaestina IBishopric: JerusalemTopographical location: HilltopDistance from nearest bishop-seat: 15 km (Jerusalem)Distance from Roman roads: ca. 2.5 km east of the road connecting Jerusalem with Shechem-Neapolis. Source of knowledgeArchaeological remainsSurveyed siteSurveyors: NameDate Conder and Kitchener1871-1877 Thomson1882 Schneider 1933 Magen and Finkelstein1993 Finkelstein, Lederman and Bunimovitz1981-1984 Excavated siteExcavators: NameDate Wood1996; 1997; 1998; 1999 Bibliograpy: Thomson, W.M., 188194-95 Conder, C. R. and Kitchener, H. H., 1882353 Schneider, A. M., 1934189 Ovadiah, A., 1970112-13 Magen, Y. and Finkelstein, I., 1993 Finkelstein, I., Bunimvitz, S. and Lederman, Z., 1997 Wood, B. G., 2000123-30 Wood, B. G., 2000249-54 Wood, B. G., 2001246-52 Magen, Y. and Kagan, E. D., 2012242-43 Stripling, D.S., 201569*-109* Abbreviation for Journals and SeriesDiscussion: The excavators suggested identifying the site as a monastery. Although the limited scope of the excavation prevents an unequivocal identification, the presence of an encircling wall, a church and rooms flanking the courtyard, provide good arguments for such an identification. It could have been an atrium-type monastery. Kagan and Magen had question such identification. Further investigation may confirm or refute this suggestion.State of certainty: Uncertain / Questionable General descriptionState of preservation/which parts were uncovered: The site was partially excavated. Parts of the church were revealed, some of the walls remained to a height of a few courses. Illustrative material: Illustrative_material Figures General descriptionEnclosing walls: A perimeter wall (42 x 25.6 m), enclosing an area ca. 1075 m2, built of semi-hewn stones. Gate/s: The entrance to the compound (2.7 m wide) was on its western side. The gateway was flanked by rooms on both sides. Courtyards: A large atrium is located west of the church. A column in the northwest of the atrium remained in situ. Four rectangular rooms flank the atrium's entrance, two on each side. Churche/s: The church (20.15 x 15 m) is located ca. 4-5 m north of the southern perimeter wall. Three entances in the western wall lead into the chuch, The southern side of the church's apse (ca. 5.5 m in diameter) was located and the southwestern doorway was excavated.The church was paved with a polychrome mosaic. Burials: A single chambered tomb (1.7 x 1.5 x 1.1 m) was located nearby. The tomb entrance had been blocked with a stone (0.55 x 0.55 m; 0.20 m thick). The stone had been moved aside by robbers. Storage facilities: A plaster lined storage silo, 3 m in diameter, was located about 100 m south-southwest of the monastery. The structure is of a Beehive-type, built of fieldstones and approximately 50% intact. There was a small arched doorway on the western side. Water installations: According to SWP, there was a cistern near the north wall of the church. Small findsSmall finds: CategoryDescription PotteryA few pottery sherds were found in the tomb. GlassA few glass fragments were found in the tomb. Detailed descriptionStructureMaterials applied (walls): Limestone ComponentsEnclosing wallGate/s: 1Monastery church: Church typeDiakonikonLink to church sectionChurch location basilicalGround floor Storage facilities – warehousesTombs type: Burial chamber Architectural evolutionPhase 1 Abandonment General outline: A basilica, additional structures, a perimeter wall and a storage silo.Dating material: The site was dated to the Byzantine period based on the finds and the architecture. Phase dateCentury: Early Christian / Byzantine General outline: The site was abandoned sometime in the Early Islamic period.Dating material: Suggested, based on parallels. Phase dateCentury: 7th-8th c.
