Wadi Shiban - church (?)
Church Name, type, function
Site Name:
Wadi Shiban
Church name:
church (?)
Functional Type:
Monastic
Church type:
Unknown
Location
Coordinates, ITM system:
223.28
644.00
Coordinates, ICS system:
173.28
1,143.83
Geographical region:
Samaria Desert Fringes
Topographical location:
The site is located on a terrace below a cliff face.
Distance from nearest bishop-seat:
Ca. 10 km (Jerusalem)
Distance from Roman roads:
Ca. 2 km east of the road connecting Jerusalem with Shechem-Neapolis.
Provincial affiliation:
Palaestina I
Bishopric:
Jerusalem
Source of knowledge
Archaeological remains
Surveyed site
Surveyors:
| Name |
|---|
Zissu et al. |
General description
State of preservation/which parts were uncovered:
The site has not been excavated. In a survey, remains of walls with a maximum height of 6 courses (2.5 m), architectural elements, cisterns, agricultural terraces and dwelling caves. Some door posts were found in situ. Remains of a large, ashlar built structure were found at a lower level, its nature as yet to be discovered.
Description
Illustrative material:
Lateral walls:
The walls remained to a maximum height of four courses (1.3 m) above ground level.
Nave:
The surveyors estimate the width of the structure at 5.5 m and its length at 17.5 m.
Bema, chancel screen and apse:
Remains of a semicircular wall, possibly an apse belonging to a small chapel were noted in the eastern part of the complex.
Small finds
Small finds illustrative material:
Detailed description
Structure
Orientation:
Facing east
Materials applied (walls):
Limestone
Materials applied (roofing):
slabs
Architectural Evolution
| General outline | Phase no. | Century |
|---|---|---|
Remains of structures, retaining walls, cisterns and dwelling caves. | Phase 1 | Early Christian / Byzantine |
Abandonment | 7th c? |