There were 14 limestone drum-columns in the basilica. 55 lathe-made drums were found, with a diameter fluctuating from 42 to 53 cm. Their height fluctuates from 13 to 50 cm. One drum is cut as a single block with the pedestal slab, befitting the pseudo-Doric order.
Limestone. 12 out of the 14 bases were preserved, some of them still in situ. Their decoration is rather primitive, but stylish and characteristic for Negev art: the circumferences of the bases are embraced by several rows of parallel grooves. They are incised and molded by lathe at different distance from each other. In addition to these fine lines, straight or convex moldings are used. They are also very simple and can hardly be named torus.
Pseudo-Doric; limestone. The height fluctuates from 25 to 35 cm. Echinus (lathe-made) and abacus cut from a single block. The proportions and primitive decoration differ from one capital to another. The circumference of the echinus (upper diameter fluctuates from 56 to 61 cm) is decorated with the rows of the lathe-incised grooves, with the inclusion of moldings, straight or convex (coordinates closely with the decoration of the bases, so that it’s difficult to distinguish a capital from a base). The abacus is almost square (dimensions vary from 56 to 62.5 cm; height: 8-10 cm). 3 abaci are adorned with inscriptions in Greek.
Limestone. Eight pilaster caps, or semi-capitals, were found in the church and in the northern chapel. Their proportions are irregular, though the silhouette is identical (in general) and has the form of a rectangular block with inclined sides (upper dimensions fluctuate between 43.5x27 cm – 64x31 cm, lower dimensions fluctuate between 33x18 cm – 55x25.5 cm). The surface is decorated with simple gouged moldings. Most frequently, they are composed of three bands of different height. Some of them are concave and resemble cavetti (one wide between two narrow). Two pilaster caps (one found in the northern chapel and could adorn the pier) have also a decorative band with a rope pattern between 2 narrow fillets. One of them has also a band of alternating lozenges and elongated hexagons.
lintels, jambs, thresholds
Only 2 jamb members were preserved: one small member of a cap or a base and another simple base in situ. One cap was found in the chapel, most probably adorning its entrance. It has three slanting faces with two fillets and a dog tooth pattern below them. Another small cap or base member is decorated with strips of voluminous dog tooth. A pyramidal base was preserved on the western jamb of the doorway connecting the northern aisle with the chapel. It’s lower part is decorated with fillets, imitating a plinth. Member of jamb (57x38x33 cm), with a rectangular recess in the inner part of the jamb (7x15 cm, 9.5 cm deep) for the locking bar. The line sketch of a building was engraved with a pointed chisel. The entrance into the northern chapel from the northern aisle of the basilica is adorned with a special threshold. Probably, this detail is secondary used. The surface of the threshold is decorated with 2 rows of pointed ovals.
Some of the decorative ashlars might be lintels (see section "decorative stones").
12 screen posts (9 of limestone and 3 of marble) out of 21 (15 in the basilica and 6 in the chapel) were found. Some of them well-preserved. The 3 proconnesian marble posts were belonged to the basilica. 108 cm high, 20 cm wide, 18 cm thick. The square trunks are decorated with the elongated moldings, one inside the other. One of the posts has a pointed globular top. The other has a truncated head with a circular depression in the middle (for the small circular column of the second tier). This tall post with a columnette flanked the entrance to the bema. Limestone. The limestone posts are divided into 3 types, based on their shape and decoration. A (2 members): a square trunk is covered with a geometric grid of interlacing squares and circles (corresponding to Type A limestone panels) and crowned with a leaf capital. B (1 members): a square trunk with a globular head, without capital. It imitates the marble prototypes, but with the addition of a geometric frame (corresponding to Type B limestone panels). C (3 members): a semicircular trunk with diagonal flutes is crowned with a leaf capital similar to the Type A, imitating marble prototypes.
Originally, there were 14 panels in the chancel of the basilica and 4 in the chapel. 3 limestone panels (2 from the chapel, 1 from the basilica) are well preserved, up to 82x92 cm. The others are preserved only in small fragments. Nine marble fragments of one or two panels decorated with a cross inside an acanthus wreath and two six-pointed stars. Fragments of 6 limestone screens were found as well, most of them in the northern chapel (Patrich 1988:109-114). The limestone panels were classified into 3 types, based on their decoration: A (2 members): Interlacing circles and squares that form a geometric lattice in the chip-carving technique. B (1 members): A large central cross, imitating marble prototypes. C (1 members): Vine scrolls, amphora, birds and a cross.
A square limestone base with 4 round imprints for the ambo was found.
1. A decorated limestone masonry block was found outside the church (53x29x21 cm). Partially preserved. It was decorated with two metopes holding rosettes of different design. 2. Elongated stone slab (150x40x8 cm) with a Maltese cross engraved in its center, embraced by double wreath. The inner band is decorated by a dog tooth pattern. 3. Masonry stone (55x31 cm) with a cross incised by the pointed chisel. 4. Fragment of a masonry stone (43x18x16 cm) incised with a cross.
The square imprints in limestone slab, ca. 35x35 cm each, were found on the floor of the bema. The foundation for the ciborium. Pieces of two limestone columns were found (30 and 29 cm high. 18 cm in diameter). Decoration correspond to the Type C screen posts. The shafts are fluted diagonally, but the fluting ascends to the left in one case and to the right in the other. The bases are decorated with parallel incised grooves and molded rings. Probably, they were a part of the ciborium above the main altar or they could decorate the second tier in the chancel screen. Three members of the marble columnettes were found fallen into the crypt. One of them is 85 cm high, 24 cm in diameter, with the plain shaft and with the base-strip. Two other members of columnettes (55 and 60 cm high) are approximately of the same diameter: 21 cm. Dimensions of 2 marble bases and 2 fragments of the Corinthian capitals approximately fit the size of these columnettes.
The floors of the whole church, including bema, naos, crypt and atrium, are paved with the limestone slabs. Some of the slabstones are distinguished by incised burial inscriptions. There are 2 flagstones with holes. One of it rather big (5 cm in diameter), with a gypsum plug inside. The other flagstone’s funnel-like hole is very small. Probably, a metal ring was attached to it. It served as a tomb cover or as a manhole in the drainage system. Another flagstone is covered with the engraved grid and diagonal incisions (gameboard?). There are several marble slabs with incised burial inscription. None of them was found in situ. Several pieces of marble screens were used as floor revetment after an earthquake or during the Early-Islamic period.
A part of limestone flat slab was found (27x23x5 cm). The surface is decorated with the diagonal voluminous crosses, framed by plain margins in a chip-carving technique. Plenty of marble revetment slabs were found in the crypt, some still in situ. The majority of slabs are rectangular and two slabs are shaped like a segment of a circle (chords: 34 cm, 33.5 cm). Ten marble strips were used to consolidate the slabs for the crypt’s revetment. Frontal side was polished, while the rear one was cut roughly.
Limestone. Fragments of a circular basin for sacred water (95 cm in diameter) were found. The inner part has molded concentric rings. Small limestone basin (25.5x25.5 cm). It has a flat base and a rounded pan 20 cm in diameter and 12.5 cm deep. Some primitive drawings are scratched on 3 of its sides (peacocks and a cross). This basin may have been used as an incense burner. Square stone (14x16 cm, 12.5 cm thick) with a depression in the middle, gouged with a pointed chisel. Broken stone basin, with a rectangular, concave pan in the center (3.3 deep). Corner fragment of a square bowl or mortar, with two incised parallel grooves. The pan is concave. Fragment of a white marble polished bowl (ca. 7 cm).
The fragment of the white marble columnette with an oval section (diameter fluctuates from 8x9 cm to 7.5x8.0 cm) was found in the northern part of the central apse. Limestone. Members of the spring course of the apse: 10 concave segments (up to ca. 60 cm long) decorated with molded bands, torus and rope pattern. Coordinates to the pilaster caps.