Description
The monastery at Kh. el-Maqatir is located 15 km (9.3 miles) north of Jerusalem and 1 km (0.6 miles) west of Kh. et-Tell. The basilica was built in the late-fourth century and the coenobium monastery was added in the fifth century. The complex covered the summit of a hill, and it has an enclosed garden at its north side. It has been suggested that this site may be identified with Abram’s altar at Ai, the place where Jacob had his dream of the ladder, or Joshua’s battle against Ai. The latter identification is based on the name of the wadi to the north, Wadi el-Gayeh, which preserves the name of Ai.
