Elusa (Ḥaluza) - Basilica B
Church Name, type, function
Site Name:
Elusa (Ḥaluza)
Church name:
Basilica B
Functional Type:
Parochial
Church type:
Basilical - Basilica with an annexed chapel
Location
Coordinates, ITM system:
167,188.00
556,413.00
Coordinates, ICS system:
117,121.36
1,056,372.33
Geographical region:
Central Negev
Topographical location:
In the northern part of the city, near the public bathhouse.
Distance from nearest settlement:
Inside the city.
Bishopric:
Elusa
Source of knowledge
Archaeological remains
Excavated site
Excavators:
| Name | Date |
|---|---|
F. Jordan and S. Schrenk (University of Bonn) | 2018, 2019, 2022 |
General description
State of preservation/which parts were uncovered:
The church was first excavated in 2018. Some architectural members were found. Among them column drums with dowel holes, floor and chancel marble plates, stone and glass tesserae suggesting floor and wall mosacs, fragments of a Corinthian capital. But most column drums are of the local stone, and the capitals - Doric. A large concentration of architectural fragments suggest an attached structure on the SE. Though first reconstructed as tri-apsidal, later excavations uncovered a pastophorium to the north of the apse. The space flanking it on the south seems to be apsidal.
Description
Small finds
Detailed description
Structure
Aisles:
2
Number of nave columns in a row:
| Total |
|---|
10 |
Capital types:
Doric
East end:
Internal apses
Church Head/Chevet:
tri-apsidal
Central Apse Category:
apsidal
Bema type:
U shaped
Altar remains:
imprints
Altar type:
Marble, table like
Synthronon:
Yes
Synthronon remains:
grades
Synthronon location:
Against the apse
Architectural Evolution
| Phase no. | Century |
|---|---|
Phase 1 | Early Christian / Byzantine |
Abandonment | Unknown |