Elusa (Ḥaluza) - The Cathedral

Columns and piers: 

The columns of the first church and of the northern wing were collected of drums cut from limestone (ca. 0.50 m in diameter), while those of the second church were marble and monolith. 

Columns and piers materials: 
Limestone
Marble
Columns: 
Typology
Columns and piers: 
Monolith
Comprised of drums
Apophyges superior/inferior
Bases and pedestals: 

According to Arubas and Goldfus, the bases of the first phase church and of the northern wing were cut from limestone and decorated with a series of horizontal moldings cut with lathe. During the second phase the Attic bases were marble (probably, they were also used during the first phase). Each base was comprised of square plinth, lower wide torus, scotia and upper narrow torus. The last was almost equal by its diameter to scotia; the fillets were thickened in comparison to their Roman delicate forms. The bases were leaning on pedestals, collected from limestone ashlars. They were shorter than the plinths. Probably, they were raised on them during the second phase.    

Typology
Bases: 
Pseudo-Tuscan
Attic (Ionic)
Lathe-made horizontal moldings/strips
Pedestals: 
Square
Bases and pedestals materials: 
Limestone
Marble
Bases: 
Capitals: 

According to Arubas and Goldfus, the capitals of the first phase church were cut from limestone and decorated with a series of horizontal moldings cut on lathe. The marble Corinthian capitals were preserved from church of the second phase. Nowadays nine of them are presented in the kibbutz Revivim, which is near Halutza. All wer decorated in the same style, with common morphology. Just small differences might be noticed, which are natural for the hand-made specimens. So, each capital was comprised of echinus and abacus. Echinus was adorned with two ranges of mask-acanthus leaves (six in each ring). The upper range leaves were slightly higher and wider than those of the lower, but all cut in the same manner. Each leaf was comprised of five clusters of lobes. The upper central clusters were deeply curling and outstanded from echinus, comprising a beak in a shape of trefoil. The lateral clusters consisted of four lobes each. The uuper lobes in each cluster was curling and comprised a rounded eye. The other lobes were touching each other with the tips, so that a series of geometrical forms was formed (trapezoids and rhombuses). The central stems were articulated with two grooves. The lobes were cut with the angular at the bottom grooves. Calathus rim was adorned with small volutes and helixes, equal in their size and profiliration (cavetto in section). Abacus was adorned with two horizontal grooves. In the mid of each side they were comprising a rhomb/diamond with the sunken central field. On some sides (probably, frontal) the central protrusions were defaced (the helixes seem to be absent on such sides, not clear). Probably, on such sides the abaci were adorned with crosses, with were not preserved. On the tops of abaci mason's marks were incised. 

Negev had published one more small marble Corinthian capital. It was comprised of four fine-tooth acanthus leaves in the lower range and four plump leaves at the the corners in the upper range. Fleuron was presented in a shape of the four-petalled rossette (type of quatrafoil). The same pattern of a larger scale was used on the panel in the same church. The author noted that the capital was gilded and painted (traces of this decoration were badly preserved).

Capitals materials: 
Limestone
Marble
Capitals: 
Typology
Order: 
Corinthian
Lathe-made horizontal moldings/strips
Types of Acanthus: 
Mask
Fine-toothed
Narrow-pointed
Broad-pointed
Gilded/painted
Decoration on the abacus: 
horizontal-line
Decoration of the boss on the abacus: 
floral-pattern-rosette
geometric-pattern-rhombusess
Components of entablatures, arches and apses: 

Plenty of voussoir stones were revealed at the site.

Typology
Components: 
Voussoir
Materials of components of entablatures, arches and apses: 
Limestone
Cornices, spring cornices, voussoirs: 
Chancel screen posts: 

Two members of single post were found, as well as one more originated from the other identical post. The post had a traditional shape of rectangular trunk completed with the globular top. The frontal side was decorated with a series of rectangular frames, one inside the other. The unusual feature of the post is that it contained three vertical grooves for affixing of the panels (see altar table description).  

Typology
Types: 
with a globular top
Decorations: 
Grooved and molded frames
Chancel Screen posts materials: 
Marble
Chancel Screen posts: 
Chancel screen plates: 

Two members of chancel screen panels were revealed. Both partially preserved the molded decoration of their frames: the wide outer flat frame was accentuated with the groove along the inner edge and flat molding, connecting this frame to the central sunken field. One of the members was decorated with the relief Maltese (crux immissa) which arms were widening at the ends. The other member was adorned with the laurel medallion, comprised of two branches, directed upwards, tied with balteus in the lower point and joined with oval diamond in the upper part. The branches consisted of a series of clusters of pointed lobes (three in each), growing one from the other. Inside the medallion a four-petalled rosette was inserted. Its petals were fleshy, completed with wide bifurcated ends. Between the petals the grooves with the nicely carved eyes were carved. The central part of the rosette was decorated with the voluminous pestle, also cross-like. 

Typology
Types: 
Blind
Decoration (Central motif): 
Laurel wreath
cross
floral pattern: rosette
Chancel Screen plates materials: 
Marble
Chancel Screen plates: 
Altar legs: 

In the central apse the imprint of the single leg of altar table was traceable. Over it a ciborium was placed.

The southern dead-aisle pastophorium of the first phase contained the altar table at its eastern end. Four imprints of its legs were revealed in the pavements of the floor.

During the second phase the new altar table was built in the southern apse. The chancel post with three lateral grooves (not two) was revealed. One of these grooves was narrower than the others. So, the altar table was reconstructed as abutting to the chancel screen, using its legs and panels for leaning.   

Typology
Altar legs: 
Non specified type
Altar legs: 
Altar plates: 
The fragment of the upper table plate was found in the southern apse. It was decorated with molded framing: two flat stepped profiles, which connected the outer flat frames to the sunken central field. On its right-handed wide framing the perforated hole was grooved (for pouring oil/water?). As no imprint for reliquary was found under the table, the chest was placed on the table top.
Typology
Type: 
Rectangular (angulus)
Decoration: 
with molded edges
Altar plates (mensae) materials: 
Marble
Altar plates (mensae): 
Ambo members: 

Hexagonal base for the ambo was preserved near the eastern part of northern colonnade. It was revetted with marble. 

Typology
Ambo members: 
Lower base hexagonal
Ambo materials: 
Limestone
Marble
Ciborium: 

Imprints of four legs of ciborium were preserved in the central apse over the anticipated table. 

Pavement: 

The floors of the northern annex of the church were paved with limestone slabs. 

Typology
Pavement: 
Slabs
Pavement materials: 
Limestone
Revetment plates: 

The walls of the apses were revetted with marble tiles during both phases. During the second phase the ambo, altar, bema, seven stepped pedestal in the apse, floors of the basilica, walls - were revetted with the same Proconessian marble tiles. The southern apse was revetted with geometrical composition in opus sectile technique. It was comprised of the square with attached to its sides angular segments/petals. This special decoration marked the memorial role of the southern apse.

Typology
Revetment: 
Marble slabs
Revetment plates materials: 
Marble
Revetment plates: 
Liturgical objects materials: 
Limestone
Liturgical objects: 
Fragments of limestone reliquary box were found in the southern apse (https://dig.corps-cmhl.huji.ac.il/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/illustrative_material/negev_1989_18.jpg?itok=x62By9PS )
Typology
Reliquaries: 
Box
Bibliography: