The Byzantine and Frankish Period At Halai

"A small church consisting of a single nave and located within the remains of the Late Roman basilica church appears to date to the 12th or 13th century (Fig. 8; Pl. D, a). The builders of this smaller chapel used part of wall DF, the southern colonnade wall of the basilica, as the southern wall of their church, and a northern wall (wall DH) was built from tiles, mortar, and stones in the pseudo-plinthoperikleisto style. Two buttresses for wall DF also survive; none have yet been found for the southern wall."

"The maximum outer dimensions measure 5.3 meters in width by 7.7 meters in length. The interior dimensions are roughly 3.9 m by 6.3 m. The remains of a few curving stones at the eastern end of the building suggest the presence of an apse during the life time of this chapel.

"During the 1993 season a grave was discovered by Wendy Richards inside the Late Byzantine chapel. This grave (Grave IX) was located at the western end of the chapel abutting the northern wall (wall DH). Since parts of the cranium and several teeth had already partially eroded down the slope towards the Neolithic trenches in Area F, an excavation was undertaken to save the body from further destruction. From architectural indications, Grave IX seems to have been interred within a stone-lined tomb immediately under the floor level of the Late Byzantine chapel. Traces of this stone-lined tomb remain on the northern, eastern, and southern sides; the other slabs used for the tomb were probably disturbed by the Goldman excavations. The head of the body was raised and seemed to be tilted back, possibly on a stone pillow. The left arm was preserved to the elbow and lay extended at the side of the body; the right arm was crossed onto the chest."

"Artifacts from the grave suggest a late date for the tomb. Fragments of yellow-glazed pottery typical of the Late Byzantine period were found in conjunction with combware and glass from the Early Byzantine period and black glazed pottery from the Hellenistic period. The body was covered with mortar which probably fell from the wall of the chapel so there is some question as to whether the body was interred before this small chapel was built or after the chapel was in ruins. In either case, the tomb was clearly dug into fill from an earlier period."

"As with the basilica church, there is also some evidence from the Goldman records for Late Byzantine activity which may relate to the chapel. Three coins of Manuel I (1143-1180) and several fragments of yellow-glazed pottery were uncovered in the area of the narthex of the basilica church, and a coin of Alexius I (1081-1118) was found near Tower I. Goldman also excavated several graves in the area of the church: one to the north of wall DA, one to the south of wall DE, one in the northern aisle of the basilica church, and several to the west of wall DG. Hopefully further study of the Goldman field diaries will clarify how these graves are related to the church or chapel."

"There is a small structure attached to wall DH of the Byzantine chapel. This structure, comprised of walls DI and DJ, overlays the northern colonnade wall (wall BS/BW) of the basilica church, and as such seems to date to the same period as the chapel. Only two walls of this structure remain, and its purpose is unknown at present."

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Last modified 2.5.98