CARIATH IARIM; Deir el-'Azar - The Sanctuary of the Ark.
Church Name, type, function
Site Name:
CARIATH IARIM; Deir el-'Azar
Identification:
The site is known by several names: CARIATH IARIM or Kirjath Jearim which is mentioned in the old testament; Kirijath Baal according to Eusebious; Qaryat el-'Inab is the name of the site while Guerin visited there; and Abu Gosh after the sheikh who terrorized the country during the early nineteenth century. The church is located on the hill known as Deir al-'Azar
Church name:
The Sanctuary of the Ark.
Functional Type:
Monastic
Dedication:
The sanctuary of the ark.
Church type:
Basilical - Free standing basilica
Location
Coordinates, ITM system:
209.85
635.18
Coordinates, ICS system:
159.84
1,135.17
Geographical region:
Judean Hills
Topographical location:
On top of a hill.
Distance from nearest settlement:
Part of Abu Gosh.
Distance from Roman roads:
Buit on the Jaffa-Jerusalem road.
Provincial affiliation:
Palaestina I
Source of knowledge
Epigraphy:
Epigraphy
Archaeological remains
Excavated site
Excavators:
| Name | Date |
|---|---|
de Piellat, A. | 1907 |
Bibliograpy:
General description
State of preservation/which parts were uncovered:
Atrium or narthex and the prayer hall. Dimensions of the preserved part is 24.5X17 m.
Description
Illustrative material:
Atrium:
Paved in a mosaic of white tesserae, with a cross in front of the entrance in the west wall.
Façade and entries:
Two entrances to the prayer hall, one on the west wall and one on the south wall.
Lateral walls:
The walls are built from stones of a Roman building.
Nave:
Dimensions of 9X24.5 m, with two rows of 5 columns on stylobates.
Aisles:
Dimensions of 4X24.5 m. paved in a mosaic with geometric designs.
Bema, chancel screen and apse:
Three stairs were leading from the nave to the Bema and apse.
At the opening of the apse there is a stone (73X32 cm) set into the moosaic. It is decorated with crosses amd am empty tabula ansata.
Lateral spaces:
Lockable rectangular rooms.
Small finds
Small finds:
| Category | Description |
|---|---|
Inscription - see under epigraphy | Two Latin inscriptions are found on stones of a Roman building which were employed in secondary use. |
Small finds illustrative material:
Detailed description
Structure
Atrium:
Yes
Narthex:
Yes
Aisles:
2
Number of nave columns in a row:
| Total |
|---|
5 |
East end:
Internal apse
Pastophoria
Pastophoria loci:
N & S
Description and function of northern:
Lockable room.
Description and function of southern:
Lockable room.
Attached structures
Prothesis chapel / Diakonikon:
Other
Prothesis chapel / Diakonikon description:
Independent earlier unit was located east to the church, which later was incorporated into the church.
Architectural Evolution
| General outline | Dating material | Phase no. | Century | Within century |
|---|---|---|---|---|
The original church contained a nave from which three stairs led to one main apse. | Vincent (1907) dates the church by a Byzantine capital found during the excavation. | Phase 1 | 5th c. | Second half |
A poor and Hurried restoration. a new mosaic was placed covering walls and the stairs leading to the apse.
It is possible that the rooms east of the church were incorporated in this phase (acoording to Baggati). | Early years of the Umayyads. | Phase 2 | 7th c. | Second half |
The time of al-Hakim, first half of the 11th century. | Abandonment | 11th c. | First half |
Post Arab conquest history:
Modified
Post conquest history comments:
The Church was restored at the early years of the Umayyads.