Nābulus / Nablus / Flavia Neapolis / Julia Neapolis / Sychar, near Shechem, Jacob's Well / Bir Ya'qub

An object resembling a font basin that is kept in front of the well known as Jacob's Well [cf. John, 4], in the Greek Orthodox Monastery built over the Crusaders' church, itself perhaps built over an earlier church, in Sychar [modern-day Nablus]. Not known whether or not the vessel or the well itself were used for baptism. The stone vessel is dodecagonal at the upper side and round with tapering ribbed sides below, raised on a squat circular moulded pedestal base; the upper sides of the basin are decorated with scroll and geometric motifs.