Ein el-Jedide - Chapel
Church Name, type, function
Site Name:
Ein el-Jedide
Church name:
Chapel
Functional Type:
Monastic
Church type:
Chapel
Location
Coordinates, ITM system:
213.25
629.21
Coordinates, ICS system:
163.25
1,129.21
Geographical region:
Judean Hills
Topographical location:
Slope
Distance from nearest bishop-seat:
8 km (Jerusalem)
Distance from nearest settlement:
8 km (Jerusalem)
Distance from Roman roads:
ca. 3 km north of the road connecting Jerusalem with Eleutheropolis.
Provincial affiliation:
Palaestina I
Bishopric:
Jerusalem
Source of knowledge
Epigraphy:
Epigraphy
Archaeological remains
Surveyed site
Surveyors:
| Name | Date |
|---|---|
Conder and Kitchener | 1871-1877 |
Excavated site
Excavators:
| Name | Date |
|---|---|
Hamilton | 1934 |
Baruch | 1997 |
General description
State of preservation/which parts were uncovered:
The complex was excavated and found to be in a partial state of preservation.Terraces 6-7 m high supported the complex which was constructed on a steep hillside. The southern wall of the chapel remained to a height of two meters.
Description
Illustrative material:
Façade and entries:
The church is entered through a single entrnace located in the western part of the northern wall.
Lateral walls:
The southern wall was preserved to a height of two meters, the northern wall was partially preserved.
Nave:
The prayer hall measures 4 x 5 m. A second space is located west of the prayer hall, connected to it by a doorway in the center of the chapels western wall. The space was refered to by the excavator as an "ante-chamber" but its use is not clear.
Bema, chancel screen and apse:
The chapel has a raised bema and an internal apse. Two rectangular niches were were constructed on either side of the apse.
Small finds
Small finds:
| Category | Description |
|---|---|
Pottery | Byzantine and Early Islamic vessels, cooking pots etc., including combed pottery |
Coins | One Umayyad coin |
Detailed description
Structure
Orientation:
Facing east
Materials applied (walls):
Limestone
Atrium:
Yes
Water cistern:
Yes
East end:
Internal apse
Church Head/Chevet:
n/a
Bema type:
Transversal
Elevation of Bema above nave:
1 step up
Cult of relics
Reliquiaries: shapes and contents:
Two rectangular niches were constructed flanking the apse. This may indicate a cult of relics although no reliquaries were found.
Architectural Evolution
| General outline | Dating material | Phase no. | Century |
|---|---|---|---|
A monastic comples with a small chapel. Two phases were reported for the church, without specific dating. | Finds and epigraphy | Phase 1 | 6th c. |
Abandonment | 7th-8th c. |