Hura (Northen Negev) Complete

Description

Construction work on a new interchange at the entrance to Hura in the Northern Negev exposed architectural remains, leading to an excavation at Nahal Shoqet in March 2014. Conducted on behalf of the Israel Antiquities Authority, the project was directed by D. Varga, with assistance from M. Pasternak and T. Gerser. The excavation brought to light a monastery of the Byzantine period distinguished by exceptionally well-preserved mosaic pavements. On the basis of its location near the Byzantine settlement of Horbat Hur, Varga has suggested that the complex belonged to a chain of monastic establishments positioned along a route connecting Transjordan with the Be’er Sheva‘ Valley. Southeast of the monastic compound, the associated cemetery was identified, comprising roughly forty cist graves. In antiquity, the area formed part of the hinterland of Elutheropolis. Further reading: Ustinova, Y. ,Greek Inscriptions from the Byzantine-Period Monastery at Ḥura. ‘Atiqot 110 (2023): 385-393. Varga, D., Hura, Nahal Shoqet, Preliminary report. Hadashot Arkheologiyot 127 (2015). http://www.hadashot-esi.org.il/report_detail.aspx?id=24838&mag_id=122 Vainstub, D., Sokoloff, M. and Varga, D., A New Christian Palestinian Aramaic Inscription in a Mosaic Pavement at Ḥura, Israel. Le Muséon 129, no. 3-4 (2016): 279-284. Varga, D. and Rasyuk, A., The Byzantine Monastery at Ḥura in the Northern Negev. Qadmoniot 50, no. 154 (2017): 109-118 (in Hebrew). Varga, D., Talgam, R., A Byzantine-Period Monastery at Ḥura. ‘Atiqot 110 (2023): 365. SEG 65 1766-1769. Negev (area of: Ḥura). Christian mosaic building inscriptions, 6th cent. A.D. A Digital Corpus of Early Christian Churches and Monasteries in the Holy Land https://dig.corps-cmhl.huji.ac.il/epigraphicals/%E1%B8%A5ura-%E1%B8%A5orvat-%E1%B8%A5ura-khirbet-%E1%B8%A5ura-monastery