Vertical tabsChurch Name, type, functionSite Name: Abu Baraqeh (Deir el-Balah)Church name: ChurchDedication: unknownFunctional Type: UnknownChurch type: Basilical LocationCoordinates, ITM system: 136,952.00592,697.00 Location: Para-urbanGeographical region: Gaza stripTopographical location: on the sea shoreDistance from nearest bishop-seat: 16 km south of GazaDistance from Roman roads: on the sea shore, just 2 km to the west from Via MarisProvincial affiliation: Palaestina IBishopric: Raphia Source of knowledgeHideEpigraphy Text number Summary 1 Dated mosaic building inscription with Psalm quotation within tabula ansata, in the central nave of the church. Archaeological remainsSurveyed siteBibliograpy: 1923-58, 1757 Humbert J.-B. and Hassoune, A. , 2005 Piccirillo, M. , 2007178-9, Figs. 111-114 Saliou, C., 2008 Dubois, L. , Sève, M., Feyel,C., Fröhlich, P., Hamon, P., Follet, S., Minon, S., Knoepfler, D., Lhôte, E., Decourt, J.-C. , Helly, B., Hatzopoulos, M. and et als., 2009522 Ameling, W., Cotton, H. M., Eck, W., Isaac, B., Kushnir-Stein, A., Misgav, H., Price, J. and Yardeni, A., 2014533-4 Abbreviation for Journals and Series General descriptionState of preservation/which parts were uncovered: Remains of the basilical church. The nave was decorated with a mosaic depictingthree columns of inhabited vine-scrolls depicting various animals. A Greek inscription is set in a tabula ansata to the east of this carpet. The aisles were decorated by mosaic floors depicting leaves. DescriptionIllustrative material: Illustrative_material Photos Figures Small findsSmall finds illustrative material: Illustrative_material Detailed descriptionStructure Architectural EvolutionPhase 1 Abandonment Phase name (as published): ByzantineGeneral outline: According to the mosaic inscription in the nave "the whole work" was completed in the month of Artemision year 646, which is April/May 586 AD according to the era of Gaza.Dating material: Dated inscription. Phase dateCentury: 6th c.Within century: Second half Phase name (as published): UnknownDating material: No signs of iconoclasm suggest that the church was deserted before the early 8th c. Seemingly in the 7th. Phase dateCentury: 7th c. Iconoclastic evidenceIconoclastic evidence: NoIconoclastic evidence comments: The intact figural motives suggest that the church was abandoned before the iconoclastic era.
