El-Habs

El-Habs (Arabic: احبس), nicknamed Valley of the Monks (Hebrew: בקעת הנזירים, Bik'at HaNezirim) is a site of a cave which served Christian monastic chambers, on the channel of the Gimzo Stream. It is situated at the foot of Horbat Zekhariya and together with Horbat Kelah form a complex of archaeological sites in the hills of Modi'in-Maccabim-Re'ut, in the territory of Ben Shemen Forest. The site serves today as picnic point, with several hiking and bicycle trails passing by. Apart from the caves are other features. To the northwest is water reservoir, next to which the remains of a small settlement dating to the Byzantine period (330–636 CE). To the east a sculpted, rock-cut burial cave with five burials, dating to the Roman period (1st century BCE to 1st century CE). Most of the sites are related to Christian activity in the region. The site was explored by 19th century researchers from France and the United Kingdom, and by Israeli archaeologists in the 90s.