Beth Govrin (Eleutheropolis) - el-Maqerqesh
Church Name, type, function
Site Name:
Beth Govrin (Eleutheropolis)
Identification:
Known also as Beit Jibrin. Chapel is located on a hill known as el-Maqerqesh
Church name:
el-Maqerqesh
Functional Type:
Parochial
Dedication:
Christ Pantocrator
Church type:
Chapel - With an annexed room
Location
Coordinates, ITM system:
190.95
611.54
Coordinates, ICS system:
140.94
1,111.50
Geographical region:
Shephelah
Distance from nearest bishop-seat:
Eleutheropolis
Distance from nearest settlement:
Near deserted Marisa.
Distance from Roman roads:
On a junction of the roads between Ascalon and Jerusalem and between Hebron Hills and northern Shephelah (Lod Valley).
Provincial affiliation:
Palaestina I
Source of knowledge
Epigraphy:
Archaeological remains
Excavated site
Excavators:
| Name | Date |
|---|---|
French School of Archaeology | 1924 |
General description
State of preservation/which parts were uncovered:
Fragments of a semicircular apse and a rectangular room to the south. Dimensions: 3 m. long and 2.25 m. wide. Built on top of a roman villa,
Description
Illustrative material:
Nave:
A mosaic containing an amphora, plants, animals and an inscription.
Small finds
Small finds:
| Category | Description |
|---|---|
Inscription - see under epigraphy | A six line Greek inscription, recording the execution of the work. The inscription mentions a priest named Obodianos and a dedication to Christ Pantocrator.
Kufic writing was also found, no details provided. |
Coins | On the mosaic a coin was found, dates to 527 AD. |
Small finds illustrative material:
Detailed description
Structure
East end:
Internal apse
Central Apse Category:
apsidal
Attached structures
Prothesis chapel / Diakonikon:
Simple rectangular room
Prothesis chapel / Diakonikon description:
A simple rectangular room south of the apse.
Architectural Evolution
| Phase name (as published) | General outline | Dating material | Phase no. | Century | Within century |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Phase III (encyclopedia) | see description | Around 500 AD, Abel dates the inscription based on the form of the letters. Style of the mosaic decorations is similar to Ma'on and Shellal, also dating the mosaic to the 6th century. | Phase 1 | 6th c. | Early |
Phase IV (encyclopedia) | 0.7 m. above the original mosaic floor are the remains of an apse and foundations of a chancel screen. Geometric decorated mosaic floor with crosses. Apse depth is 2.71 m. | Late Byzantine, no explanation given. | Phase 2 | 7th c. | Early |
In a higher level a floor and threshold were found. | Early Arab, no explanation given. | Phase 3 | 7th-8th c. | ||
Abandonment | Unknown |
Post Arab conquest history:
Modified
Post conquest history comments:
If the chapel still functioned as one in the third phase, it is a modification phase.