Shiloh - The Basilica Church

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Church Name, type, function
Site Name: 
Shiloh
Church name: 
The Basilica Church
Functional Type: 
Parochial
Church type: 
Basilical - Free standing basilica
Location
Coordinates, ITM system: 
227.59
662.32
Coordinates, ICS system: 
177.81
1,162.30
Location: 
Village/Town
Geographical region: 
Southern and Western Samaria
Topographical location: 
On the southern spur of Tel Shiloh.
Provincial affiliation: 
Palaestina I
Bishopric: 
Samaria-Sebaste
Source of knowledge
Hide Archaeological remains
Excavated site
Excavators: 
NameDate
A. Schmidt
1932
Dadon
1990
Bibliograpy: 
Ovadiah, A., 1970
Ovadiah, A. and de Silva, C. G., 1982
Kempinksi, A. and Finkelstein, I., 1993
Dadon, M., 1997
Dadon, M., 2012
Magen, Y. and Kagan, E. D., 2012
159-62, no. 44
Madden, A. M., 2014
125-126
Abbreviation for Journals and Series
General description
State of preservation/which parts were uncovered: 

The basilical church measured 39.6 X 15 m. Its eastern part was erected over the remains of a Second Temple period structure. The church includes an atrium, narthex, prayer hall, all paved in mosaics with floral and geometric patterns.

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Illustrative material: 
Atrium: 

The atrium measures 13.9 X 10 m. The foundations of a stylobate were extant on three sides of the atrium. It enclosed a courtyard paved with stone slabs. The portico bordering the courtyard was paved with simple mosaics. Two short walls projecting north suggest annexed rooms on this side of the atrium. Entrance was from the west. Only two openings were preserved. The central - 2.2m wide; the northern - 1.6m wide.  

Narthex: 

The narthex is 13.7 X 3 m. in dimensions. Mosaic paved. 

Façade and entries: 

Three entrances led from the narthex into the prayer hall.

Lateral walls: 

The walls were constructed of large stones (0.7 X 0.7 - 1 X 0.5 m) that were smoothened on the inner face. The outer face was coated with a thick layer of plaster.

Nave: 

The nave, 20.5 X 6.6 m in dimensions, was separated from the aisles by two rows of six columns standing on stylobates 0.6 m wide. The columns were crowned by Corinthian capitals. All twelve capitals and bases (0.7x0.7m), were uncovered; one of the bases - in situ. The longest colomn fragment is 4.5m long.  

Aisles: 

The aisles, 20.5 X 3 m in dimensions, have dead ends on their eastern side. 

Bema, chancel screen and apse: 

The bema-apse unit was not preserved. It seems that the apse was external.

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Detailed description
Hide Structure
Orientation: 
Facing east
Materials applied (walls): 
Limestone
Atrium: 
Yes
Water cistern: 
No
Narthex: 
Yes
Aisles: 
2
Colonnades / Arcades: 
Colonnade
Number of nave columns in a row: 
Total
6
Capital types: 
Corinthian
Church Head/Chevet: 
dead end aisles (mon-aps III)
Ambo: 
No
Apse elevation: 
Flush with the bema
Synthronon: 
No
Architectural Evolution
General outline: 
Basilical church with atrium and narthex.
Dating material: 

The construction date is unclear; seemingly 5th c. However, the end of the first phase corresponds with the Samaritans revolt (529 CE), as can be inferred from a layer of ash covering the mosaic floor.

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Century: 
5th c.
Post Arab conquest history: 
Modified