Summary information
GPS coordinates: 32.26726, 36.15448
Structure is visible in Google maps.
Only the apse of the building was cleared, the nave being occupied by a house. The church was a small basilica with three naves terminating in an apse inscribed between the extension of the two side aisles. The three naves were subdivided by pillars which supported arcades.
The sanctuary extended to the apse and the bay east of the central nave. The eastern end of collateral was raised by a step at the height of the chancel screen, but their access does not seem to have been protected.
A synthronon was added later in the apse, encroaching on the original geometric mosaic pavement.
The altar seems to be linked to an ancient reused pillar which lay in the center of the apse during the excavations.
Two similar pillars, 0.90 m high, which one can perhaps interpret as the supports of secondary tables, were found in situ against the chancel barrier in the corners of the sanctuary (fig. 184).
The mosaic floor visible in front of the sanctuary featured plant motifs and two amphorae.
Anne Michel, Les Eglises d’Epoque Byzantine et Umayyade de La Jordanie V-VIII Siecle (Turnhout: Brepols, 2001), 212.
The north wing has a mosaic floor made up of adjacent scales enclosing a central motif. In front of the presbyterium, the mosaic includes a medallion with plant motifs and two amphoras.
Michele Piccirillo, “Ricerca Storico-Archeologica in Giordania XV (1995),” Liber Annuus / Studium Biblicum Franciscanum 45 (1995): 522.
- At least two phases as the synthronon was placed on top of the original mosaic.
Bikai, Patricia M., and Virginia Egan. “Archaeology in Jordan.” American Journal of Archaeology 101, no. 3 (1997): 493–535. https://doi.org/10.2307/507108.
Michel, Anne. Les Eglises d’Epoque Byzantine et Umayyade de La Jordanie V-VIII Siecle. Turnhout: Brepols, 2001.
Piccirillo, Michele. “Ricerca Storico-Archeologica in Giordania XV (1995).” Liber Annuus / Studium Biblicum Franciscanum 45 (1995): 489–532.
Characteristics
- Inscribed mono-apsidal apse with extensions of the aisles on both sides of the apse.
- Π-shaped chancel
- Synthronon
- Mosaic in the aisles and nave.
- Not documented
- None
- None
Constantinopolitan
- Protruding apse
- Entrances from the east on either side of the apse
- Π-shaped chancel
- Multiple entrances on all sides
- Ambo on the south
- Exterior chapel to the north
Syrian
- Π-shaped chancel
- Inscribed mono-apsidal
- Rooms on both sides of the apse
- West entrance
- Ambo on south
- Baptistry in room south of the apse or in the south aisle
- Separate south chapel
- South entrances from side rooms/chapels
Roman
- Τ-shaped or bar-shaped chancel
- Tri-apsidal usually inscribed
- 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 [specify]
- Separate north chapel
Syrian to Roman conversion
- Τ-shaped or bar-shaped chancel replacing Π-shaped chancel
- Side apses inserted into rooms adjacent to the main apse
- Separate north chapel (suppressed south chapel)
- Liturgical furniture with decorative motifs like those at St. Clemente in Rome
Classification
Syrian
- Π-shaped chancel
- Inscribed mono-apsidal
RoomsExtensions of the aisles on both sides of the apse-
West entrance Ambo on southBaptistry in room south of the apse or in the south aisleSeparate south chapelSouth entrances from side rooms/chapels
The Archaeology of Liturgy Project reflects research conducted at the W.F. Albright Institute of Archaeological Research in Jerusalem during 2023.