Research Phase

Today we completed work on a probe of the portico of the Northeast Church. The probe is located next to the stylobate in the north section of the portico. Work on the probe ended when we reached bedrock. The probe reveals the leveling layer below the stylobate. The probe is also bisected by rows of stone (north to south and east to west) which served to support a level base for the portico over the bedrock. Click the picture to see the 3D model.

Our work now centers on the portico of the church. We finished exposing the lacunae next to the west wall, where benches were once placed. Those benches preserved some of the mosaic of the original floor. We have identified three patterns in the geometric mosaic running the full length of the portico.

We also began work on a small probe in the portico. Almost immediately we encountered the cobble base for the original mosaic.

After removing this base layer, we probed a bit deeper and ran into a line of stones. At this point we speculate that they may be the cover stones for a draining system under the street, as we found in the other small cardo. We will learn more tomorrow.

We concluded work on the probe in Cardo 3 North. Two interesting factors: we discovered the original courses of stones in the House of Tyche and we learned that the drainage system under the street directed some of the water likely to the industrial work in the northern section of the structure (garden). Click the picture to view a model of the probe in 3D:

We also continued to uncover fragments of the first floor in the western portico of the church. Dr. Michael Dorner is seen working here on one segment of mosaic.

As our probe left unresolved questions about the drainage system (no, there was no channel through the wall from the House of Tyche), we expanded the probe just over a meter to the north. This photo shows today’s progress:

At the same time, we began to explore a second question requiring work in the field. In 2004, we noticed some mosaic on the east side of the protico next to the west wall of the church. We assumed then it was a earlier floor covered later by the flagstone floor. As it was next to the sole surviving bench, we assumed we might find similar mosaic in the lacunae for the other benches.

In the northern lacuna, we discovered fragmentary remains over 3.5m, sometimes 80 cm wide.

The same pattern of alternating inverted flowers (Avi-Yonah pattern B9) continues across the fragments. In the one wider fragment, a simple medallion appears to the west of the flower (21 tesserae). It consists of concentric circles (red, three white, and a yellow from outside in) with a simple cross of five tesserae in the middle. The small medallions repeat with thirty tesserae separating them.

Perhaps it is not the most romantic topic, but our excavation today in Cardo 3 North discovered a covered drainage channel cut into the bedrock and plastered. It is about 20 cm wide and 15 cm deep and drops about 20 cm across the 3 m probe. Toward the north end, the drain widens to 40 cm. We are guessing that the additional flow may come from the House of Tyche. We will try and figure out that matter tomorrow.