16687 |
Khirbet et-Tireh; Khirbet et-Tira |
Eastern Church |
Unknown |
Parochial |
Basilical |
Southern and Western Samaria |
Jerusalem |
Palaestina I |
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The crypt was recovered in the northern aisle of atrium. It consisted of a passage with steps (0.85 m × 0.9 m × 1.1 m deep), leading into the subterranean chamber. The walls of the passage were built of well-elaborated stone slabs. The passage was narrowing while descending
to the crypt. The short staircase consisted of two steps (measured 0.85 m long and 0.16 m wide). The upper step was constructed of medium-sized stones, while the lower ledge was carved in the bedrock. The steps lead to the doorway, which internal dimensions were 0.8 m high, 0.5 m wide.
The underground chamber measures 2.2×2 m, 1.55 m high. It contained three ground graves, oriented east-west. They were separated from each other by stone slabs (0.15 m wide). The northern and southern tombs were identical (2 m long, 0.66 m wide, 0.4 m deep). That one in the middle was smaller (1.5 m long, 0.55 m wide, 0.4 m deep). The walls of the chamber were not cut from the bedrock, but built of medium fieldstones (0.25 m long, 0.2 m wide), with the vaulted roof, constructed from smaller stones (ca. 0.2 m × 0.1 m). The walls of the crypt were plastered with two coats (lower and upper). The base coat was ca. 3-6 cm thick, with small gravel and potsherds, imprinted into the mortar. The finish coat was ca. 1 cm thick, and was polished. Four members of covers cut of heavy white marble were revealed at the bottom. Probably, they covered the crypt once.
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Burial crypt. |
Facing east |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
2 |
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Internal apse |
monoapsidal with lockable pastophoria (mon-aps II) |
apsidal |
U shaped with two lateral openings |
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N & S |
The apse was flanked by two side pastophoria of equal dimensions (2.4x2.8 m). |
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crypt |
Inside the southern tomb in the crypt disturbed skeletal remains, initially belonging to three individuals, were revealed. Besides, a few teeth, ribs, femurs, a mandible, tarsal bones, metacarpals and other pieces were recovered. Also fragments of oil lamps, potsherds, five glass beads, and a several glass sherds of a bottle and cups were found in the crypt, showing a veneration of the relics. After the excavations at the request of the Greek Patriarchate the relics were transported to the Greek Orthodox Church in Ramallah. |
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In Room 3 (southern compartment) three tombs were revealed. They were oriented along east-west axis, and were initially covered with the mosaic floor. The graves were of the same size: 2.2x0.75 m, ca. 1.2 m deep (only one tomb was excavated to the bottom). The tombs were revealed intact and covered with a series of large limestone slabs. The graves were not cut in the bedrock, but were built of medium and large, crudely elaborated limestone ashlars; there were also projecting stones on southwest corners for footholds. The walls were covered with two coats of plaster. The earlier layer was coarse and thick (ca. 5 cm). The later layer was more delicate and thin (ca. 1 cm thick), its surface was polished. Only the southern tomb was excavated. Its bottom was filled with earthen deposit, ca. 0.35 m. Noteworthy, that these deposit infiltrated into the tombs before they were covered with mosaic floors, so they predated the construction of the southern rooms, if not the whole church. Amazingly, though the graves were found sealed, no artifacts or bones were found within. Nevertheless, the excavator believes that the function of the room was memorial. |
ST |
1 |
12739 |
Khirbet et-Tireh; Khirbet et-Tira |
Western Church |
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Parochial |
Free standing basilica |
Southern and Western Samaria |
Jerusalem |
Palaestina I |
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Facing east |
No |
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Yes |
2 |
Colonnade |
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Internal apse |
monoapsidal with lockable pastophoria (mon-aps II) |
apsidal |
U shaped without lateral openings |
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1 step up |
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N & S |
Small square room. The traces of the doorway were not preserved. |
Rectangular room, wider than the basilical hall. Doorway in its western wall. |
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SB |
1 |
17355 |
Khirbet Umm el-'Amed; Kh. Ghanâîm |
Church |
Unknown |
Parochial |
Basilica with an annexed chapel |
Hebron Hills |
Eleutheropolis |
Palaestina I |
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Facing east |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
2 |
Colonnade |
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Internal apse |
monoapsidal with lockable pastophoria (mon-aps II) |
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N & S |
The northern pastophorium was abutting to the the northern aisle and northern gallery both, covering their general width. Measured ca. 7x2 m |
The southern pastophorium was abutting to the the southern aisle only and was smaller than the northern one. |
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ST |
1 |