'Ein el-Skhaniya - CAPARBARICHA (?) - Chapel
Church Name, type, function
Site Name:
'Ein el-Skhaniya - CAPARBARICHA (?)
Identification:
Ein El-Sachaniah; Ein el Sehyna; Ein el Shyna.
It has been suggested (Batz 2006: 99-104; Sar Avi 1999: 185-192) that the monastery at Ein el-Sakhaniya might be identified with the monastery of Euthymius in the Desert of Zif in the vicinity of Caphar Baricha (Life of Euthimius 12, 22). Other sites suggested for this identification are: Kh. Umm Rukhba, the church at Aristobulia, Kh. Umm Halasa, Kh. Ein el Quneitira, Kh. el Qasr, Tel Zif (all situated between Bani Na'im and Aristolias). Batz based his suggestion on the location that fits well with the description of Cyril of Scythopolis concerning the establishment of the monastery (see Literary Sources), on the definite identification of the site as a monastery and on its dating.
Church name:
Chapel
Functional Type:
Monastic
Church type:
Chapel
Location
Coordinates, ITM system:
216.23
597.31
Coordinates, ICS system:
166.23
1,097.31
Geographical region:
Hebron Hills
Topographical location:
Steep slope
Distance from nearest bishop-seat:
ca. 30 km (Eleutheropolis)
Distance from nearest settlement:
4 km from Kh. Istabul- Aristobulias, 4 km from Tel Zif
Distance from Roman roads:
on a secondary road connected Kh. el-Buweib and Kh. Istabul- Aristobulias; ca. 4.5 km from the road that connected Hebron and En Gedi.
Provincial affiliation:
Palaestina I
Bishopric:
Eleutheropolis
Source of knowledge
Literary sources:
Literary sources
Archaeological remains
Surveyed site
Surveyors:
| Name | Date |
|---|---|
Sar-Avi | 1998 |
Batz | 2000 |
General description
State of preservation/which parts were uncovered:
The site has not been excavated, though surveyed a number of times. The chapel (12.5 x 8 m, or 12.5 x 11 m, or 10x15 m) was located in the center of the complex (ca. 40x25 m), which is believed to be a coenobium (as was suggested by Sar-Avi due to the two wine-presses, found in the complex and in its vicinity). Only two courses of the chapel masonry remained. An ashlar built apse faces eastwards and preserved only partially. In front of it a plaster floor (probably, foundation for the mosaic) were revealed. Five-coloured tesserae, scattered at the site, epitomized the existence of the decorated polychrome floor mosaic, which once adorned the chapel. Near the north-east corner of the complex the remains of the white mosaic floor were noticed. Marble elements of liturgical furniture, lintels and ashlars, decorated with the relief crosses, were found near the chapel. A number of the caves surrounded the complex. Some of them were closed with the rolling stones and apparently served as cells of the monks. Agricultural installations and a system of channels showed the constant use of the complex during a long period of time.
Description
Illustrative material:
Nave:
The church measures 12.5 x 8 m according to one account (Batz) or 12.5 x 11 m according to another (Sar-Avi). Scant remains were found in the surveys.
Bema, chancel screen and apse:
The chapel had an external apse of which only a small section was noted.
Crypt: See in the Detailed Description, crypt
Small finds
Small finds:
| Category | Description |
|---|---|
Pottery | Sherds dated to the 5-7th centuries including imported FBW dated to the fifth century.
|
Small finds illustrative material:
Detailed description
Structure
Orientation:
Facing east
Materials applied (walls):
Limestone
Materials applied (roofing):
tiles
Water cistern:
Yes
East end:
External apse, round
Church Head/Chevet:
dead end aisles (mon-aps III)
Crypt
Accessibility and description:
An opening to a cave is located in the northwest part of the chapel. The cave served as the chapel's crypt.
Architectural Evolution
| General outline | Dating material | Phase no. | Century |
|---|---|---|---|
The complex consists of perimeter walls, a chapel, towers, caves, a water system and agricultural installations. | The monastery was founded in the late fifth or early sixth century, based on the pottery found in the survey. Based on the construction and on the remains of wall paintings that are parallel to other monasteries in the Judean Desert and the desert fringes (Kh. ed Deir, Martyrius, Ein el Quneitira) the monastery is dated to the fifth-seventh centuries. As no excavation has taken place, its phasing is not known. | Phase 1 | 5th-6th c. |
An oil press was installed in the Early Islamic period. | Abandonment | 7th-8th c. |
Post conquest history comments:
Based on the abandonment of other monasteries in desert and its fringes, it may be assumed that the monastery continued to function in the Early Islamic period, evidenced by the installation of the oil press, and was abandoned sometime in the eighth century. However, it is also possible that the oil press was installed after the monastery had been abandoned, by non-Christian residents.