Tel Isqof - Churches and Archeological Sites

Churches and Archeological Sites

Tel Isqof has two churches, St. Jacob's Church which was built during the 13th century and St. George's Church, rebuilt in 1955. The most important archeological remains in Tel Isqof are those east of town where St. Ephrem Monastery used to be. Currently, its location is used as the village's cemetery. St. Ephrem who built this monastery was a monk who lived during the tenth century. This monastery was rebuilt in 1403 with money from the people of Tel Keppe. In the churches of Tel Isqof are over 26 historical Syriac inscriptions. The oldest among them is dated 1698. Also, in the Museum of Berlin are kept three inscriptions written in Tel Isqof during the 19th century. Moreover, in 1988 next to the hill of Tel Isqof, the people of Tel Isqof found a very old cave with some human remains and tools. An expedition was sent by the Iraqi government to explore the site; however, they didn't publicize their findings....