2.24 Scythopolis — Church of the Martyr

Mazor Gabriel and Bar-Nathan Rachel. “The Bet She’an Excavation Project - 1992-1994.” Excavations and Surveys in Israel 17 (1998): 30.
Mazor Gabriel and Bar-Nathan Rachel. “The Bet She’an Excavation Project – 1992-1994.” Excavations and Surveys in Israel 17 (1998): 30.

Summary information

Characteristics

Classification

Trefoil design. Except for the chancel the church has many Roman characteristics.

Roman

  • Τ-shaped or bar-shaped chancel
  • Tri-apsidal usually inscribed trefoil
  • Altars in the side apses
  • Relics and Reliquaries
  • Ambo to the north
  • Baptistry outside off the atrium or the north aisle
  • Marble furnishings (high status imperial association) and imported fine wares
  • Decorative elements on chancel screens [Interlaced designs and a cross, as well as marble screen colonnettes were also recovered in the front part of the apse. Additional decorated marble chancel screens and colonnettes, were found in front of the south apse.]
  • Separate north chapel

The Archaeology of Liturgy Project reflects research conducted at the W.F. Albright Institute of Archaeological Research in Jerusalem during 2023.