Dayr Nakhkhas دير النخّاس Deir Nakhkhas, Deir Nakh-khas, Deir Nakhas | |
|---|---|
 Maqam of Sheikh 'Usheish | |
| Etymology: "monastery of the cattle drover"[1] | |
.jpg) 1870s map.jpg) 1940s map.jpg) modern map.jpg) 1940s with modern overlay mapA series of historical maps of the area around Dayr Nakhkhas (click the buttons) | |
  Dayr Nakhkhas Location withinMandatory Palestine | |
| Coordinates:31°36′57″N34°55′18″E / 31.61583°N 34.92167°E /31.61583; 34.92167 | |
| Palestine grid | 142/113 |
| Geopolitical entity | Mandatory Palestine |
| Subdistrict | Hebron |
| Date of depopulation | October 29, 1948[4] |
| Area | |
• Total | 14,476dunams (14.476 km2; 5.589 sq mi) |
| Population (1945) | |
• Total | 600[2][3] |
| Cause(s) of depopulation | Military assault byYishuv forces |
Dayr Nakhkhas (Arabic:دير النخّاس,Deir Nakh-khâs) was anArab village located 20 km northwest ofHebron, overlookingWadiBayt Jibrin to the north.[5]
Dayr Nakkhas was situated on the road toHebron about two miles east of Bayt Jibrin.[6] Perched on a hill, an open corn valley lay below the village.[7] Located in an area rich in archaeological sites, in the land area that belonged to the village, there were some 15 sites, including the village itself (which was built on an earlier ancient site).[5]
During theCrusader era it was known asDeir Nachar, and it was acasale under theKnights Hospitallers.[8] This was confirmed in 1136, by theKing of Jerusalem, Fulk.[9][10]
In a 1596 census for theOttoman Empire, it is recorded that Dayr Nakhkhas was part ofnahiya (subdistrict) of Halil [i.e. al-Khalil, orHebron], under theliwa' (district) ofJerusalem, with a population of 13Muslim households; an estimated 72 persons. The inhabitants paid taxes on a number of crops, includingwheat,barley,olives, as well as ongoats andbeehives; a total of 4,000akçe.[11]
In 1863Victor Guérin noted about the village: "This village is located on a mountain whose flanks were once exploited asquarries. The lower part of some houses are made with beautiful antique stones. A very deepwell, partly built and partly dug out of the rock, is also dated from antiquity. On the slopes of the hill, where the village occupies the summit, grows olive and fig trees; here and there are also a number of artificial caverns which once served as dwellings or storehouses."[12]
I thePEF'sSurvey of Western Palestine (SWP) the name of the village is transcribed, "Deir Nakhkhâs", and translated as, "the monastery of the cattle drover.[1]
In 1883, SWP described it as; "A very small village perched on a high, steep hill, looking down on the valley to the north.[5][13] "This is possibly Ir-Nahash (iChronicles iv. 12)."[13]It is also said to contain, "A ruinedbirkeh and a cave with 250 niches."[14]
In the1922 census of Palestine conducted by theBritish Mandate authorities,Deir Nakhas had a population of 336 inhabitants, allMuslims,[15] increasing in the1931 census to 451, still all Muslim, in a total of 86 inhabited houses.[16]
The village was rectangular in layout, with houses built of stone, expanding along and towards the road linking it toHebron.[5] The children attended schools in the neighbouring villages.[5]
By the 1945 statistics, the population was recorded at 600 Muslims.[2][3][5] In the 1944/45 growing season, a total of 4,887dunums of village land was planted in cereals; 362 dunums were irrigated or used for orchards,[5][17] while 22 dunams were built-up (urban) land.[18]
During the1948 Arab-Israeli war, Dayr Nakhkhas was defended by theEgyptian Army. The village was depopulated as a result of a military assault by Israeli forces on October 29, 1948.[4]
Following the war the area was incorporated into theState of Israel. The land that had belonged to Dayr Nakhkhas was left undeveloped;[5] the Palestinian historianWalid Khalidi described the village land in 1992: "Nothing remains of the village except a few deserted houses and the rubble of others. One deserted house is made of concrete and has rectangular windows and a flat roof. It is marked with Arabis graffiti and stands in the midst of tall wild grasses and weeds. There is a fenced-in cave. The surrounding land is cultivated by Israeli farmers."[5]
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