Khirbet ed-Duweir - Chapel
Church Name, type, function
Site Name:
Khirbet ed-Duweir
Church name:
Chapel
Functional Type:
Monastic
Church type:
Chapel
Location
Coordinates, ITM system:
21,232.00
60,911.00
Coordinates, ICS system:
16,232.00
10,911.00
Geographical region:
Hebron Hills
Topographical location:
the site stands in western part of Siʿir Valley, on a spur, above agricultural fields.
Distance from nearest bishop-seat:
Ca. 29 km (Jerusalem)
Distance from nearest settlement:
Ca. 1.5 km from Caparbaricha, ca. 2 km southeast of Ḥalḥul, 2.5 km northeast of Alonei Mamre
Distance from Roman roads:
Ca. 1 km west of the road leading from Thecoa to the eastern Negev; 2 km east from the road connecting Hebron with Jerusalem
Provincial affiliation:
Palaestina I
Bishopric:
Jerusalem
Source of knowledge
Archaeological remains
Excavated site
Excavators:
| Name | Date |
|---|---|
Batz and Sharukh | 1995-1996 |
General description
State of preservation/which parts were uncovered:
The chapel was constructed on the second store of the complex above the water system of the previous phase and above Rooms 33 and 34, which was continued to be used. The rooms were used as a platform for the chapel (Fig. 17). Excavations have revealed the fallen second story floor, consisted of stone slabs leaning on the walls. Its exact plan is unknown, only plenty of marble and limestone details of ecclesiatical character indicated its existance. The chapel apparently was still in use during the Early Islamic period until the 7th or early 8th century CE.
Description
Small finds
Small finds:
| Category | Description |
|---|---|
Pottery | Dated mostly to the Byzantine and Early Islamic periods, but there are also potsherds from Iron Age, Persian, Hellenistic, Roman periods |
Stone vessels | Liturgical vessels with decoration (see architectural members) |
Other | Stone weights or hammers |
Coins | 51 coins were found in the complex. The earliest coin was dated to the reign of Demetrius II Nicator (145–138 BCE, found in a late fill in Room 25). Six coins, dated to the reign of Alexander Jannaeus (103–76 BCE), as well as coin from the second year of the Great
Revolt found in the east part of the site, near the miqwaʾot. In the later fills dated to the 2nd and 3rd centuries CE 5 coins were found dated to: reigns of Caracalla (211–217 CE), Elagahal (218–222 CE), Probus (276–282 CE), Galerius Maximianus (293–305 CE), and unidentified. The coins of Constantine I the Great (306–337) and of Constantine II (337–361) was discovered under the slab of Floor 824 in Room 20. Two coins dated to Valentinian II (375–392) were retrieved under the W119 and near miqwaʾot. Seven coins of the second half of the fourth century were found under F746, F659, W127. A coin of Theodosius II (402–450) was discovered in robber’s trench near the tower. Fifteen
coins dated to the fifth century were found in the foundation of W149, in L627 in Room 32, in L613, above the stone floor in Room 21. A coin of Anastasius I (491–518) was found in the fill of F646 in Room 6 (tower) and two of Thrasamund (496–523), one of these - under the Courtyard B floor (F659). Coin of Justin II (565–578) was recovered in a layer of a late occupation in Room 12; coin of Mauricius (582–602) was found in a layer of occupation in Room 30; and a coin of Heraclius (610–641) was found on the floor in Room 8. Two Mamluk coins were also retrieved. |
Bones | Small artifacts, carved from bone, and ivory were found |
Metal objects | Iron and bronze objects or fragments of them were revealed at the site. They were dated to the periods from Late Roman to Early Islamic. Fragments of a candelabra and candlesticks were found in the debris in the chapel area. |
Small finds illustrative material:
Detailed description
Structure
Materials applied (walls):
Limestone
Materials applied (roofing):
tiles
Water cistern:
Yes
Altar remains:
legs
Architectural Evolution
| Phase name (as published) | General outline | Dating material | Phase no. | Century |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Phase III | In this phase, a fortified Late Roman complex was converted into a monastery. Rooms were added and the height of the tower was raised by adding new courses to the outer walls. Some other structural changes were made in the tower. A church and refectory on the second story were constructed on the second story. The main entrance was apparently moved from the eastern side of the complex to its western side. | Sometime in the sixth century CE, based on the pottery assemblage and other finds. According to the excavators, the monastery continued to serve until the end of the seventh century or early eighth century CE. | Phase 1 | 6th c. |
Phase IV | This phase is characterized by minor structural additions and changes. |
Architectural considerations | Phase 2 | 7th c. |
Phase V | The monastery was abandoned at the end of the seventh or early eighth century CE. | Based on the pottery. | Abandonment | 8th c. |
Post conquest history comments:
In the Early Islamic period the monastery was abandoned. It was re-occupied by a non-Christian population, probably after 749 CE. Some modifications were made to the structures that were in use. A few shards and two coins testify to a short period of use during the Mamluk period.
Conclusions:
In general, remains of five occupation phases were revealed at the site (Batz and Sharukh 2012: 62, Fig. 1). Sparse remains of the walls were dated to the first phase, which is Persian and Hellenistic periods. Remains of a certain building, water cisterns, miqwaʾot, and hiding caves were dated to the second phase, which is Early Roman period. During the third phase, which is Late Roman period (end of the 4th or beginning of the 5th century CE), a fortress complex with a tower was built. During the Byzantine period, which is in the focus (fourth phase, 6th-8th centuries CE), a monastic complex was erected. During the fifth phase, which is Early Islamic period (8th century CE), the complex was in use still, but only a winepress and oil press were constructed.