Sussita - Cathedral

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Architectural Evolution
General outline: 
The most important new information gleaned from the 2021 excavations was the existence of the early construction phases of the cathedral. No date was so far provided. Seemingly it should be dated to the 5th or 6th c.
Phase date
Century: 
5th-6th c.
Phase name (as published): 
-
General outline: 
591
Dating material: 

A mosaic inscription in the attached baptistery is dated to 654 according to the Pompeian era of the city, equivalent to 591 CE. But the baptistery seems to be a later addition to the cathedral, as its floor is considerably higher than the floor of the basilica. Hence, the basilica can be several decades earlier.  

Phase date
Century: 
6th c.
Within century: 
Late
Iconoclastic evidence
Iconoclastic evidence: 
Yes
Iconoclastic evidence comments: 
The image of the dolphin at the rear side of the chancel panel was defaced, probably, by Christians before reusing ti in the church.
Phase name (as published): 
-
General outline: 
The church was destroyed, most probably, by an earthquake, as all the columns were toppled in an identical direction (north-east -- south-west in axis). It is assumed that this was the earthquake of 749, but no finds were published to ascertain this assumption.
Phase date
Century: 
8th c.
Within century: 
Mid
Iconoclastic evidence
Iconoclastic evidence: 
Yes
Iconoclastic evidence comments: 
Chancel screen panel has a defaced dolphin at the rear side. Most probably, it was Christian iconoclasm, for the adaptation of the plate for the church.
Post Arab conquest history: 
Unmodified