Bir el Qattar - SPELAION; Church
Church Name, type, function
Site Name:
Bir el Qattar
Church name:
SPELAION; Church
Functional Type:
Monastic
Church type:
Unknown
Location
Coordinates, ITM system:
234.20
625.80
Coordinates, ICS system:
184.20
1,125.80
Geographical region:
Judean Desert
Topographical location:
Cliff
Distance from nearest bishop-seat:
ca. 17 km (Jerusalem)
Distance from Roman roads:
ca. 12 km south of the road connecting Jerusalem and Jericho.
Provincial affiliation:
Palaestina I
Bishopric:
Jerusalem
Source of knowledge
Literary sources:
Literary sources
Archaeological remains
Surveyed site
Surveyors:
| Name | Date |
|---|---|
Conder and Kitcher | 1871-1877 |
Schick | 1880 |
van Kasteren | 1890 |
Hirschfeld | 1982 |
Patrich | 1981-1982 |
Excavated site
Excavators:
| Name | Date |
|---|---|
Patrich | 1983 |
History:
The Monastery of the Cave was established by Sabas in 508 CE as recounted by Cyril of Scythopolis (V. Sab. 37, 126; V. Iohannis 9, 208). As opposed to many other monasteries in the Judean Desert, the monastery continued to function well into the Early Islamic period. Probably due to the decline in the number of monks, leadership of Spelaion was joined with that of the Monastery of Castellion, located nearby and a common abbot served the two monasteries. During this period, the monastery was also known as the "Cave of St. George" (V. Stephani Sabaitae IX.1, 352 [ed. Garitte]).
Bibliograpy:
General description
State of preservation/which parts were uncovered:
The remains of the church were in a poor state of preservation. Depressions in the rock marked the location of roof beams and scant remains of mosaics were found. The size of the church was estimated at 12 x 5-6 m.
Description
Small finds
Small finds illustrative material:
Detailed description
Structure
Orientation:
Facing east
Materials applied (walls):
Limestone
Materials applied (roofing):
timber
Architectural Evolution
| General outline | Dating material | Phase no. | Century | Within century |
|---|---|---|---|---|
The church was constructed at a later date than the foundation of the monastery (founded in 508 CE by Sabas - see Monastery section) | Phase 1 | 6th-7th c. | ||
The monastery continued to exist after the Arab conquest at least into the second half of the eighth century. The church may have been modified or renovated at some time but this is not apparent from the scant remains. | Literary (see Literary Sources) | Abandonment | 8th c. | Second half |