Ascalon (Tel) - South Church
Church Name, type, function
Site Name:
Ascalon (Tel)
Church name:
South Church
Functional Type:
Parochial
Church type:
Basilical - Free standing basilica
Location
Coordinates, ITM system:
156.96
618.98
Coordinates, ICS system:
106.95
1,119.98
Geographical region:
Southern Coastal Plain
Topographical location:
On the Tel, about 250 m southwest of Tychaion; 60 m north and parallel to the road leading to the Sea Gate.
Provincial affiliation:
Palaestina I
Source of knowledge
Epigraphy:
Archaeological remains
Excavated site
Excavators:
| Name | Date |
|---|---|
Garstang (on behalf of BSAJ) | 1921 |
Bibliograpy:
p. 240. | |
21-22 (no. 9) | |
64-65, no. 17. | |
p. 49, no. 20 |
General description
State of preservation/which parts were uncovered:
The church was not entirely excavated. Its measurements are approx. 27.5 X 12.5 m.
Description
Illustrative material:
Façade and entries:
Probably only one entrance in the western wall.
Nave:
Inside the hall pillars were found which in the opinion of the excavators had supported a dome.
Bema, chancel screen and apse:
The apse was external, poligonal. Its chord approx. 5 m and its depth about 2.5 m. South of the central apse a smaller internal apse was found.
Small finds
Small finds illustrative material:
Detailed description
Structure
Orientation:
Facing east
Atrium:
No
Water cistern:
No
Narthex:
No
East end:
External apse, polygonal
Church Head/Chevet:
tri-apsidal
Central Apse Category:
apsidal
Apse shape:
Hemispherical
Lateral Apses Function
Location:
S
Architectural Evolution
| General outline | Dating material | Phase no. | Century |
|---|---|---|---|
7th to 8th centuries. Pringle is of the opinion that it is a Crusaders church. | Phase 1 | 7th-8th c. | |
Only small parts of the church were exposed. The abandonment date is unclear. | Abandonment | Unknown |