Beit
'Einun is located approximately 5 kms northeast of Hebron city. It is situated
at the foot of a hill which forms the beginning of a very fertile plain
cultivated with vines and grains. On the higher slopes of the hills there
are terraces to prevent erosion. These small separate fields are planted
with vines, plums and almonds. Houses were built in different locations
on the hill and in the valley. Small roads have been paved to reach the
new urban area and cut the southern and northern parts of the site.The site contains a large Byzantine church. Information about this church is limited. The site is built of massive, well-dressed stone pillars. The wall construction indicates rebuilding of the church in the crusader period. Excavations have revealed a fine mosaic floor in the main hall of the church from the Byzantine period. The apse of the church was paved with flagstones. The church is part of a complex building in which living quarters and storage rooms were found. Water cisterns were also revealed.
Below the exterior side of the western wall there was a tomb shaft where a corpse in a wooden box (sarcophagus) was found. The burial was associated with many lamps and pottery offerings. Large amounts of Roman Byzantine pottery were also found.
Beit 'Einun is mentioned in the Waqf dedication given by Prophet Mohammad to Tamim al Dari. Many Moslem stone structures can also be found at the site.
Source: Endangered Cultural Heritage Sites in the West Bank Governorates, MOPIC, February 1999