Deir Sim'an; Deir Sam'an - Church
Church Name, type, function
Site Name:
Deir Sim'an; Deir Sam'an
Church name:
Church
Functional Type:
Monastic
Church type:
Basilical
Location
Coordinates, ITM system:
205.00
663.90
Coordinates, ICS system:
155.00
1,163.90
Geographical region:
Southern and Western Samaria
Topographical location:
The site is located on a hill.
Distance from nearest bishop-seat:
ca. 25 km (Lod-Diospolis)
Distance from Roman roads:
0.4 km from the road connecting Shechem-Neapolis with the coast.
Provincial affiliation:
Palaestina I
Bishopric:
Diospolis
Source of knowledge
Archaeological remains
Surveyed site
Surveyors:
| Name | Date |
|---|---|
Conder and Kitchener | 1871-1877 |
Guérin | 1868-69 |
Gofna and Porath | 1967-1968 |
Finkelstein, Lederman and Bunimovitz | 1981-1985 |
Excavated site
Excavators:
| Name | Date |
|---|---|
Magen | 1992-1994 |
Bibliograpy:
General description
State of preservation/which parts were uncovered:
The site was extensively excavated revealing the major part of the complex. The state of preservation was such that in some places the walls were preserved almost to their full height. In the southern wing an entrance was preserved to its full height (1.90 m), including the finely worked doorposts topped by a monolithic lintel carved with a tabula ansata. Above the lintel there is a relief arch, indicating that the wall rose high above the entrance. The church, having been located on an upper story, did not survive.
Description
Small finds
Small finds illustrative material:
Architectural Evolution
| Phase name (as published) | General outline | Phase no. | Century |
|---|---|---|---|
Phase II: Byzantine period. | The monastery was established in a fourth century Roman fortress. Structural changes were made, a second story church was added. | Phase 1 | Early Christian / Byzantine |
Phase III; Early Islamic period. | In the Early Islamic period the monastery no longer functioned and the structure was converted into an industrial olive oil production center. | Abandonment | 7th-8th c. |
Post Arab conquest history:
Ceased to function