|
12739 |
Khirbet et-Tireh; Khirbet et-Tira |
Western Church |
|
Parochial |
Free standing basilica |
Southern and Western Samaria |
Jerusalem |
Palaestina I |
|
|
|
Facing east |
No |
|
Yes |
2 |
Colonnade |
|
|
Internal apse |
monoapsidal with lockable pastophoria (mon-aps II) |
apsidal |
U shaped without lateral openings |
|
1 step up |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SB |
1 |
|
16687 |
Khirbet et-Tireh; Khirbet et-Tira |
Eastern Church |
Unknown |
Parochial |
Basilica with an annexed chapel |
Southern and Western Samaria |
Jerusalem |
Palaestina I |
+ |
A crypt was uncovered in the northern portico of the 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-cut stone slabs. The passage became narrowing while descending into the crypt. The steps lead to a doorway with internal dimensions 0.8 m high and 0.5 m wide. The underground chamber, with plastered walls, 2.2×2 m, 1.55 m high in dimensions and a vaulted ceiling, contained three shaft graves, oriented east-west. They were separated from each other by stone barriers, 0.15 m wide. The northern and southern tombs were identical in dimensions (2 m long, 0.66 m wide, 0.4 m deep). Four slabs of white marble were uncovered at its bottom. Probably originally the covered the entrance to the crypt, being incorporated in the floor of the portico. |
Burial crypt. |
Facing east |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
2 |
|
|
|
Internal apse |
monoapsidal with lockable pastophoria (mon-aps II) |
apsidal |
U shaped with two lateral openings |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
N & S |
The apse was flanked by two side pastophoria of equal dimensions (2.4x2.8 m). |
|
|
|
|
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. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Disturbed skeletal remains of three individuals were found inside the southern tomb of the crypt. Fragments of oil lamps, potsherds, five glass beads, and several glass sherds of a bottle and cups were found as well.
In Room 3, accessed from the southern end of the narthex, three other shaft tombs similar in size (2.2x0.75 m, ca. 1.2 m deep) and of east-west orientation were uncovered under the mosaic floor. They were found intact, covered by large limestone slabs. The graves were not rock-cut; they were rather built of medium and large, crudely cut stones and plastered. Projecting stones on southwest corners of the shaft permitted foothold. Only the southern tomb was excavated. Its bottom was filled with a deposit of earth, ca. 0.35 m thick, that infiltrated into the tombs before they were covered with mosaic floors, suggesting that the tombs predated the paving of this room by mosaics. Though the graves were found sealed, no artifacts or bones were found therein, suggesting that in spite of being well prepared, they were never used for burial. Nevertheless, the excavator maintains that the function of the room was memorial.
|
ST |
1 |
|
17355 |
Khirbet Umm el-'Amed; Kh. Ghanâîm |
Church |
Unknown |
Parochial |
Basilica with an annexed chapel |
Hebron Hills |
Eleutheropolis |
Palaestina I |
|
|
|
Facing east |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
2 |
Colonnade |
|
|
Internal apse |
monoapsidal with lockable pastophoria (mon-aps II) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ST |
1 |