Beit 'Anun; Khirbet Abu Rish - Chapel
Church Name, type, function
Site Name:
Beit 'Anun; Khirbet Abu Rish
Identification:
Located ca. 0.5km NE of Beit 'Anun. The site of Beit 'Anun preserves the biblical name of Beth Anoth (Josh. 15: 59), the present site being one of several churches found in the area.
Church name:
Chapel
Functional Type:
Pilgrims' church
Church type:
Chapel
Location
Coordinates, ITM system:
212.78
607.87
Coordinates, ICS system:
162.78
1,107.87
Geographical region:
Hebron Hills
Topographical location:
The site is located on a slope in the east of the 'Anun Valley in an area of hills. The 'Anun valley separates the Hebron hills from the Judean Desert.
Distance from nearest bishop-seat:
ca. 20 km (Beth Govrin-Eleutheropolis)
Distance from nearest settlement:
ca. 0.5 km (Beit 'Anun).
Distance from Roman roads:
The site is situated near the road that connected Aristobulias with Jerusalem.
Provincial affiliation:
Palaestina I
Bishopric:
Eleutheropolis
Source of knowledge
Epigraphy:
Archaeological remains
Surveyed site
Surveyors:
| Name | Date |
|---|---|
Conder and Kitchener | 1871-1877 |
Kochavi | 1967-1968 |
Excavated site
Excavators:
| Name | Date |
|---|---|
Magen and Baruch | 1990-1992 |
History:
In the first phase of the site, the structure was apparently an agricultural or industrial complex constructed in the fifth century. In the second phase, possibly in connection to the tombs found in the vicinity, the site became a focus of pilgrimage. The site was abandoned in the Early Islamic period.
Bibliograpy:
347 |
General description
State of preservation/which parts were uncovered:
An agricultural farmstead turned into a Christian complex, seemingly a monastery. Both phases are attributed to the Byzantine period. Some of the structure's walls are preserved to a height of two meters and more. An elongated room (no. 2) of the first phase was enlarged southwards and westwards, being converted to a chapel, 5x11m in dimensions. Five posts, running lengthwise, divided the hall into two aisles. The former stone floor was replaced to mosaics floor. Only small fragments of it survived. The sanctuary on the east is 1 stair elevated relative to the rest of the hall.
A rock cut burial crypt (C7), accessed by rock-cut staircases from outside, on the north, underlies the western part of the chapel. Three scrosses are cut in the rock at its entrance. Ten burials troughs were installed therein. A Greek inscription was found in the NW corner.
Description
Illustrative material:
Nave:
A large room from the first phase of the structure was extended southwards and apparently adapted as a chapel hall.
Bema, chancel screen and apse:
A bema was built in the eastern part of the prayer hall with one step leading up to it. It was elevated by a foundation consisting of a layer of earth and small stones, lime and tesserae.
Crypt: See in the Detailed Description, crypt
Small finds
Small finds:
| Category | Description |
|---|---|
Inscription - see under epigraphy | Greek dedicatory |
Pottery | Various vessels, dated to 6th-7th centuries CE |
Small finds illustrative material:
Detailed description
Structure
Orientation:
Facing east
Materials applied (walls):
Limestone
Materials applied (roofing):
tiles
timber
Atrium:
No
Narthex:
No
Altar remains:
no remains
Crypt
Accessibility and description:
A rock cut burial crypt (Tomb C7), accessed by rock-cut staircases from outside, on the north, underlies the western part of the chapel. Three scrosses are cut in the rock at its entrance. Ten burials troughs were installed therein.
Function:
Burial crypt.
Burial loci
Burials loci:
Tombs predating the construction of the church were located at the site, became a focus of veneration and pilgrimage. A mosaic pavement covered one of these tombs while an elaborate entrance was constructed.
Architectural Evolution
| Phase name (as published) | General outline | Dating material | Iconoclastic evidence | Phase no. | Century | Within century |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Second building phase | Several rooms were added, two rooms were joined and extended southwards to form a chapel. The hall was divided to two aisles by five pilasters running west-east, lengthwise. | All phases at the site are dated to the Byzantine period based on the pottery, epigraphy and other finds. The precise dating of each phase has not been discerned. The first phase of the church most likely is from the sixth century when pilgirmage became widespread. | Phase 1 | 6th c. | ||
Third construction phase | Minor changes were made. | Dated to the Byzantine period. | Phase 2 | 6th-7th c. | ||
The site was probably abandoned after the Arab conquest when pilgrimage ceased. | All the finds at the site were Byzantine. | Abandonment | 7th c? | First half |
Post Arab conquest history:
Abandoned