Ascalon Semadar Hotel - Church
Church Name, type, function
Site Name:
Ascalon Semadar Hotel
Church name:
Church
Functional Type:
Parochial
Church type:
Basilical - Free standing basilica
Location
Coordinates, ITM system:
157.69
620.39
Coordinates, ICS system:
107.80
1,120.20
Geographical region:
Southern Coastal Plain
Topographical location:
Flat area, on the kurkar ridge stretching along the Mediterranean coast
Distance from nearest bishop-seat:
ca. 700 m north of Tel Ascalon.
Provincial affiliation:
Palaestina I
Source of knowledge
Archaeological remains
Excavated site
Excavators:
| Name | Date |
|---|---|
Meron | 1976 |
General description
State of preservation/which parts were uncovered:
The church was partly exposed during salvage excavations. It consists of an atrium, a narthex and a basilica that measures approx. 20 X 12 m.
Description
Atrium:
The atrium was not excavated. A 10 m wide staircase of six stairs faced with marble lead up from the atrium to the narthex.
Narthex:
The narthex measures 18 X 4 m and was paved with colored mosaic floor with geometric patterns and a large cross.
Façade and entries:
Only foundations of the western wall, separating between the narthex and the prayer hall, survived.
Nave:
Only the eastern part of the nave, close to the bema, was excavated. The nave was paved with limestone or marble slabs.
Aisles:
A probe in the southern aisle revealed a colored mosaic floor.
Bema, chancel screen and apse:
Only a small part of the bema was exposed. The bema raises one step above the nave. It was paved with limestone or marble slabs.
Small finds
Detailed description
Structure
Orientation:
Facing east
Materials applied (roofing):
tiles
timber
Atrium:
Yes
Narthex:
Yes
Aisles:
2
Elevation of Bema above nave:
1 step up
Altar remains:
no remains
Ambo:
No
Architectural Evolution
| General outline | Dating material | Phase no. | Century |
|---|---|---|---|
Basilical church with atrium and narthex. | The church is dated in general to the Byzantine period. | Phase 1 | 5th-6th c. |
No dates are given. | Abandonment | Unknown |