Churches EA and E at Sardis

by: Buchwald, H.

Sardis was home to one of the earliest known Christian communities, appearing among the Seven Churches of Asia in the mid-first century AD. Between 1962 and 1973, the Archaeological Exploration of Sardis excavated two superimposed churches at the ancient site, one early Christian, one Byzantine. This richly illustrated volume documents the architecture and history of these buildings from the fourth to the sixteenth century.

The early Christian church, an aisled basilica with narthex and atrium, both decorated with floor mosaics, had a long and complicated history, starting in the fourth century and continuing into the ninth century. Built over its remains is a Byzantine church dating to the little-known Lascarid period, when Constantinople had fallen to the Fourth Crusade and western Asia Minor was home to an independent Christian empire. This building?s standing remains, scattered domes, and vaulting fragments support the reconstruction of an inscribed-cross church with six columns and five domes, enriched on the exterior by a variety of brick and terracotta decoration. Together, these buildings cast new light on a millennium of Christian worship at Sardis, from the first official recognition of Christianity until the end of the Byzantine era.

Foreword
A Note from Grazia Buchwald
Summary
Özet
1. Church EA: The Original Basilica
1. Architectural Remains
2. Construction
3. Interior Decoration and Furnishings
4. Chronology
5. Comparable Evidence
6. Functional Considerations and Conclusions
2. Church EA: Additions, Changes, and Repairs
1. The Atrium
2. The Entrance Bay
3. The North Courtyard
4. The North Chapel
5. The Northwest Unit
6. The West Unit
7. The Northeast and Southeast Units
8. The East Building
9. Church EA Changes and Repairs
10. Masonry Summary
11. Carved Architectural Elements
12. Rooms Accessible from an Atrium
13. Chronological Summary and Functional Interpretations
3. Church EA: Medieval Additions, Reconstructions, and Repairs
1. The West Chapel
2. The Major Medieval Reconstruction
3. Later Medieval Repairs and Changes
4. Summary
4. Church E
1. Description
2. Masonry Fragments
3. The Foundations
4. The Pseudocrypt
5. The Period of Turkish Occupation
6. Comparable Evidence and Chronology
7. Church E Reconstruction
5. Architectural Sculpture and Furnishings
1. Column Bases
2. Column Shafts
3. Double-Engaged Columns
4. Impost Blocks
5. Architectural Moldings
6. Doorjambs
7. Closure Slabs
8. Chancel Barrier Supporting Members
9. Chancel Barrier Lintel Blocks
10. Reconstructions of the Chancel Barriers of Churches EA and E
11. Miscellaneous Carved Architectural Members
Tables
Appendix: Graves Associated with Churches EA and E [Anne McClanan]
Illustrations
Bibliography
Index

Churches EA and E at Sardis

by: Buchwald, H.

• ISBN-13: 9780674504400 / 978-0-674-50440-0
• ISBN-03: 0674504402 / 0-674-50440-2
• Harvard University Press, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 2015