Polsko-izraelskie wykopaliska w Hippos (Susita) 2000-2001 : Kościół Północno-Zachodni (NWC)

Abstrakt

W lipcu 2000 i 2001 roku odbyły się dwa pierwsze sezony prac wykopaliskowych w Hippos (Susita) w Izraelu. Projekt ten, kierowany przez prof. Arthura Segala z Zinman Insitute of Archaeology (Uniwersytet w Hajfie), ze strony polskiej koordynują dr hab. Jolanta Młynarczyk (Zakład Archeologii Srodziemnomorskiej PAN i Instytut Archeologii UW) i dr Mariusz Burdajewicz (Muzeum Narodowe w Warszawie), pracujący wraz z grupą studentów Instytutu Archeologii Uniwersytetu Warszawskiego.<br>POLISH-ISRAELI ARCHAEOLOGICAL EXCAVATIONS AT HIPPOS (SUSITA) IN 2000-2001: UNCOVERING THE NORTH-WESTERN CHURCH. One of the goals of the archaeological project, launched in 2000 at Hippos (Susita) on the eastern shore of the Sea of Galilee, has been to examine the so-called North-Western Church and its urban context. The church represents the type of three aisled basilica, flanked by lateral wings and preceded by a spacious squared atrium; it is interesting to note the presence of galleries above the aisles. Several parts of the building have been uncovered, including the northern aisle with a treasure-room behind it, a part of the southern aisle connected with the southern wing, the western part of the nave with entrance leading from the atrium and, on the eastern end, a part of the apse with synthronon. Architectural decoration of the church, carved from basalt, apparently follows local Byzantine models; the mosaic floors are adorned with geometric patterns characteristic of the later 6th century. Noteworthy are examples of the church furniture such as marble elements of the chancel, altar table, reliquary, lamps. In the history of the building, perhaps begun in the 5th century, several phases can be distinguished. After examination of a number of loci inside and around the church, the conclusion has been reached that even before the town of Hippos was destroyed by the earthquake of A.D. 749, the church had already been abandoned and its rooms served some profane purposes. To the south of the church an oil press and a large wine press were uncovered, the latter abutting the church's outer wall; the chronological relation of these buildings remains to be established.