Scythopolis / Beth Shean (Tel Iẓtaba) - St. Basilius(?)

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Monastery name, type, category
Site Name: 
Scythopolis / Beth Shean (Tel Iẓtaba)
Monastery name: 
St. Basilius(?)
Monastery type: 
Cenobium
Monastery category: 
Urban
Location
Coordinates, ITM system: 
247,725.00
712,689.00
Coordinates, ICS system: 
197,713.00
212,685.00
Geographical region: 
Beth Shean Valley
Provincial affiliation: 
Palaestina II
Bishopric: 
Scythopolis
Topographical location: 
Level ground north of the city wall.
Soils: 
Basalt
0
0
Distance from Roman roads: 
Close to the road leading northwards from Beth Shean-Scythopolis.
Source of knowledge
Epigraphy
Hide Archaeological remains
Excavated site
Excavators: 
Name
Bar Natan and Mazor
State of certainty: 
Archaeologicaly definitive
General description
State of preservation/which parts were uncovered: 

A complex comprising of an early mono-apsidal church, presumably dedicated to St. Basilius, that also served as the early cathedral of the city, a later tri-foil church with an attached baptismal chapel on its NE corner and a refercorium on the N. St. Basilius church was restored in the late 6th c. by the metropolitan andreas mentioed in a mosaic inscription, hence the current name of the church - Andreas church. The new , tri-foil church replaced St. Basilius when the citywall was built in the 5th c., leaving St. Basilius outside its course, but accessible to pilgrims.  

Illustrative material: 
Hide General description
Enclosing walls: 

The complex extended ovr an area ca. 25 x 27 m. in dimensions.

Churche/s: 

The early church is a mono-apsidal basilica. On its northeastern side a double room paved with a mosaic contained an inscription. In the corner of one of the room a sunken baptismal font attests to the function of this two-unit as a bapitstery. The area behind the apse was paved with stone slabs. In front of the church, a row of pillars marked the narthex. Two inscriptions were found in the pavement of the narthex superimposed one over the other, the later one, of the late 6th c. mentions the Metropolite Andreas. Remains of the prayer hall mosaic feature geometric designs, the mosaic was badly damaged.

A later tri-foil church with an attached baptismal chapel on its NE corner replaced St. Basilius when the citywall was built in the 5th c., leaving St. Basilius outside its course, but accessible to pilgrims. An un-named martyr is mentioned in a mosaic inscription, hence the name of The Church - the church of the Martyr.

Refectory: 

The refercorium is located to the north of the Martyr Church. A row of columns separates it into two units.  

Kitchen: 

Remains of a kitchen were found near the refectory. 

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Detailed description
Hide Structure
Materials applied (walls): 
Basalt
Materials applied (roofing): 
tiles
timber
Hide Components
Courtyard/s
Monastery church: 
Church typeDiakonikonLink to church sectionChurch location
basilical
Scythopolis / Beth Shean (Tel Iẓtaba) - Andreas church
Ground floor
Baptismal font
Architectural evolution
General outline: 
The site consists of a basilica with attached structures including a baptistery. St. Basil church is attested in the literary sources already in the early 5th c.
Dating material: 

Literary sources

Hide Phase date
Century: 
5th c.
Within century: 
Early