Khirbet Khoreisa; Kh. Khureisa; Ch. Choreisā; Ch. Chēsa; Ḫ. Ḫurēsa; Khirbet Umm Tîrân; Caphar Orsa - Basilica
Church Name, type, function
Site Name:
Khirbet Khoreisa; Kh. Khureisa; Ch. Choreisā; Ch. Chēsa; Ḫ. Ḫurēsa; Khirbet Umm Tîrân; Caphar Orsa
Identification:
The site and fortress in Idumea with the remains of the church. It has been identified with Caphar Orsa (’Ρησα/’Ωρησα), mentioned in Josephus (Jos., Bell. I, 266, 294; Ant. XIV, 361, 400; Ptol. V, 16, 10), or Wood of Ziph. For the identification see: Schlatter 1896: 229; Nestle 1911:82; Abel 1933-38 II: 349-350; Avi-Yonah 1976: 85; Möller and Schmitt 1976: 151; Tabula: 98
Church name:
Basilica
Functional Type:
Parochial
Church type:
Basilical - Free standing basilica
Location
Coordinates, ITM system:
21,220.00
59,540.00
Geographical region:
Judean Hills
Topographical location:
Located on a spur ca. 2 km south of Kh. Istanbul
Distance from nearest settlement:
8 km south of Hebron
Distance from Roman roads:
On the ancient road leading southwards from Hebron
Provincial affiliation:
Palaestina I
Bishopric:
Eleutheropolis
Source of knowledge
Literary sources:
Literary sources
Epigraphy:
Archaeological remains
Surveyed site
Surveyors:
| Name | Date |
|---|---|
Conder and Kitchener, on behalf of PEF | 1874 |
Mader | 1911/14 |
Kochavi | 1967/8 |
Civil Admin of Samaria and Judea |
Bibliograpy:
General description
State of preservation/which parts were uncovered:
The basilical church (measurements according to Kagan - 25.6x12 m, external measurements according to Mader (used by Ovadiah) -- 27.80x13.87 m) is located in the middle of the site. The basilica has elongated proportions, with an atrium and narthex attached from the western side. Prayer hall is divided into three aisles by the means of colonnades (according to Kagan - columns are 0.5 m D, 1.4 m apart; according to Ovadiah intercolumnia were 3.25 m, which is doubtless), only three found in situ. Two lintels adorned with the crosses were found in the debris of the church. The earlier surveys observed stones with decorative reliefs and fragments of the shafts.
Description
Illustrative material:
Atrium:
there is an atrium, measurements are not given
Narthex:
The narthex (12x4.7 m) has an entrance from the west. The external measurements according to Mader and Ovadiah -- 13.87x4.78 m
Façade and entries:
There is a single entrance in the western wall of the basilical hall
Lateral walls:
The walls are built from ashlars with bosses, their thickness is 0.8 m.
Nave:
Width - 7.3 or 7.37 m
Aisles:
Two lateral aisles, each 2.45 m wide
Bema, chancel screen and apse:
The nave terminates in an internal apse (deepness - 2.4 m by Kagan, 2,44 m by Mader and Ovadiah, diameter - 4.8 m by Kagan, 4.88 m by Mader and Ovadiah).
Small finds
Small finds illustrative material:
Detailed description
Structure
Orientation:
Facing east
Materials applied (walls):
Limestone
Atrium:
Yes
Narthex:
Yes
Aisles:
2
Colonnades / Arcades:
Colonnade
Number of nave columns in a row:
| Total | Extant in N | Extant in S |
|---|---|---|
12 | 6 | 6 |
East end:
Internal apse
Church Head/Chevet:
monoapsidal with open lateral rooms or spaces (mon-aps I)
Central Apse Category:
apsidal
Altar remains:
no remains
Pastophoria
Pastophoria loci:
N & S
Description and function of northern:
Two small lateral rooms flank the apse.
Architectural Evolution
| Phase no. | Century |
|---|---|
Phase 1 | Early Christian / Byzantine |
Abandonment | Unknown |