Church Complete

ID: 150

Building type: three-aisled basilica

Context:

church

Site:

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Description:

Set on a northwest-facing hillside that commands the surrounding area, the church measures approximately 36 by 18 meters. Its plan comprises a central nave with two flanking aisles and an apsidal termination; on either side of the apse lie pastophoria—two small presbytery rooms arranged symmetrically. A broad courtyard extended before the church. Floor treatments varied: the nave and several adjacent spaces were surfaced with stone slabs, while the apse and the two side chambers carried mosaic pavements. The walls of the apse preserved fresco decoration. In addition, investigations recovered several pillars and marble capitals. In the southern sector of the building, a baptismal font was identified, fashioned as a square block hollowed internally to form a cross. Taken together, these findings indicate that the church was in use from the 6th century until an earthquake in the Abbasid period brought about its destruction. Bibliography: Bikai P.M., Egan V., Archaeology in Jordan, American Journal of Archaeology, 1997, Vol. 101, No. 3, pp. 493–535.