Dolochopi basilica: Difference between revisions
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{{Infobox monument |
{{Infobox monument |
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| name = Dolochopi basilica |
| name = Dolochopi basilica |
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| native_name = დოლოჭოპის ბაზილიკა |
| native_name = დოლოჭოპის ბაზილიკა |
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| image = |
| image = Dolochopi basilica. Ruins in Kakheti, Georgia 01.jpg |
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| caption = |
| caption = Ruins of Dolochopi |
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| location = [[Qvareli Municipality]],<br>[[Kakheti]], [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]] |
| location = [[Qvareli Municipality]],<br>[[Kakheti]], [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]] |
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| designer = |
| designer = |
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| type = |
| type = [[Three-church basilica]] |
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'''Dolochopi basilica''' ({{lang-ka|დოლოჭოპის ბაზილიკა|tr}}) is an early Christian church—now in a ruinous state—in the eastern [[Georgia (country)|Georgian]] region of [[Kakheti]], in the territory of the historical settlement of [[Nekresi]]. It is a large 5th-century triple [[basilica]], built over an earlier ruined church, which is [[radiocarbon dating| |
'''Dolochopi basilica''' ({{lang-ka|დოლოჭოპის ბაზილიკა|tr}}) is an early Christian church—now in a ruinous state—in the eastern [[Georgia (country)|Georgian]] region of [[Kakheti]], in the territory of the historical settlement of [[Nekresi]]. It is a large 5th-century triple [[basilica]], built over an earlier ruined church, which is [[radiocarbon dating|carbon dated]] to AD 387, making it one of the earliest known Christian sites in Georgia. It was unearthed in 2012. The basilica is inscribed on the list of the [[Immovable Cultural Monuments of National Significance]] of Georgia.<ref>{{cite web |title=List of Immovable Cultural Monuments |url=https://www.heritagesites.ge/uploads/files/5cd556eed8919.pdf |publisher=National Agency for Cultural Heritage Preservation of Georgia |access-date=25 July 2019 |language=ka}}</ref> |
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== Location == |
== Location == |
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The Dolochopi |
The Dolochopi basilica—so named after a long-abandoned village—stands in ruins at the northwest outskirts of the town of [[Qvareli]], on the right bank of the Duruji river. Some 3.5 km west as the crow flies is the [[Nekresi monastery]], and further 1 km west, lies the archaeological site of [[Chabukauri basilica|Chabukauri]], boasting ruins of a large early Christian basilica, which shares many features with that of Dolochopi.{{sfn|Bakhtadze|Mamiashvili|Gabekhadze|2015|p=110}} |
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The ruins at |
The ruins at Dolochopi were located in archaeological reconnaissance in 2010 and excavated by an expedition of the [[Georgian National Museum]] led by Nodar Bakhtadze between 2012 and 2015.{{sfn|Bakhtadze|Mamiashvili|Gabekhadze|2015|p=110}} It proved to be a substantial church which stood in the centre of what was once a flourishing settlement of [[Late Antiquity]]. The settlement, unknown from written sources, had declined steadily after a series of earthquakes and foreign invasions, falling into oblivion and being reclaimed by nature by the Late Middle Ages. Due to dense foliage, the extent of this settlement is unknown.{{sfn|Loosley Leeming|2018|pp=49-50}} |
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== Layout == |
== Layout == |
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[[File:Dolochopi basilica. Ruins in Kakheti, Georgia 08.jpg|thumb|Dolochopi basilica. Sanctuary apse and synthronon.]] |
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The church was built of rubble and gravel. It was a large triple basilica, measuring 36 x 18.5 metres in its central three–nave section, but had further aisles added to both north and south, bringing the edifice to the total size of 44 x 27 metres. This made Dolochopi the largest basilica known in Georgia and one of the largest in the Caucasus and neighboring regions of Eastern Christendom. The division of the naos into three naves was effected by five pairs of cruciform columns. The central nave terminated in a horseshoe-shaped sanctuary apse on the east. The apse was furnished with a four-stepped [[synthronon]]—a bench reserved for |
The church was built of rubble and gravel.{{sfn|Bakhtadze|Mamiashvili|Gabekhadze|2015|p=111}} It was a large triple basilica, measuring 36 x 18.5 metres in its central three–nave section, but had further aisles added to both north and south, bringing the edifice to the total size of 44 x 27 metres.{{sfn|Loosley Leeming|2018|pp=49-50}}{{sfn|Bakhtadze|Mamiashvili|Gabekhadze|2015|pp=111-112}} This made Dolochopi the largest basilica known in Georgia and one of the largest in the Caucasus and neighboring regions of Eastern Christendom.{{sfn|Bakhtadze|Mamiashvili|Gabekhadze|2015|pp=116–118}} The division of the naos into three naves was effected by five pairs of cruciform columns. The central nave terminated in a horseshoe-shaped sanctuary apse on the east. The apse was furnished with a four-stepped [[synthronon]]—a bench reserved for the clergy—a feature unattested elsewhere in Georgia except at Chabukauri.{{sfn|Loosley Leeming|2018|p=48}} Beneath it, in the centre of the apse, was a large tomb compartment. Before the altar there was a spacious [[bema]] with a [[soleas]]. The easternmost portion of the gallery was occupied by a [[baptistery]]. The church was covered by a wooden roof with terracotta tiles, held in place with iron nails and antefixes.{{sfn|Bakhtadze|Mamiashvili|Gabekhadze|2015|pp=111–114}}{{sfn|Loosley Leeming|2018|pp=49-50}} |
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The basilica is dated, on architectural and archaeological grounds, to the middle of the 5th century. It is built over an earlier church, 25 metres in length and about 15 metres in width. A sample obtained from this earliest layer is |
The basilica is dated, on architectural and archaeological grounds, to the middle of the 5th century. It is built over an earlier church, 25 metres in length and about 15 metres in width.{{sfn|Bakhtadze|Mamiashvili|Gabekhadze|2015|pp=111–114}}{{sfn|Loosley Leeming|2018|pp=44-45}} A sample obtained from this earliest layer is carbon dated to AD 387.{{sfn|Loosley Leeming|2018|p=118}} It was probably destroyed in an earthquake at the same time as the church at Chabukauri. The superimposed 5th-century basilica was also damaged in a later earthquake. The nave and the church's immediate premises continued to be used as a burial ground. The northeastern corner of the church was adapted in the 8th or 9th century as a mortuary chapel which remained functional until at least the 12th–13th century.{{sfn|Bakhtadze|Mamiashvili|Gabekhadze|2015|pp=111–114}} |
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The discoveries at Chabukauri and Dolochopi challenged a previous assumption that the first church buildings in eastern Georgia were typically small narrow edifices built to accommodate a limited number of people. Architecturally, the Dolochopi church was a local precursor to a triple basilica design, peculiar for Georgia. Aspects of overall design of the church and roofing as well the lighting fixtures uncovered at the site are typical Eastern Roman features, while some details of layout of the apse and numismatic finds at the site point to Sasanian influences. |
The discoveries at Chabukauri and Dolochopi challenged a previous assumption that the first church buildings in eastern Georgia were typically small narrow edifices built to accommodate a limited number of people.{{sfn|Bakhtadze|Mamiashvili|Gabekhadze|2015|pp=118–119}} Architecturally, the Dolochopi church was a local precursor to a triple basilica design, peculiar for Georgia.{{sfn|Loosley Leeming|2018|pp=118–120}} Aspects of overall design of the church and roofing as well the lighting fixtures uncovered at the site are typical Eastern Roman features, while some details of layout of the apse and numismatic finds at the site point to [[Sasanian Empire|Sasanian]] influences.<ref name="EX">{{cite web |last1=Loosley |first1=Emma |title=Dzveli Gavazi |url=http://architectureandasceticism.exeter.ac.uk/items/show/744 |website=Architecture and Asceticism |publisher=University of Exeter |access-date=1 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190901094419/http://architectureandasceticism.exeter.ac.uk/items/show/744 |archive-date=1 September 2019}}</ref> |
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== Notes == |
== Notes == |
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== References == |
== References == |
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*Mamiashvili, vazha (2019) Volume 13". Archaeological Research upon the Earliest Christian Settlement in Nekresi/ადრეული ქრისტიანობის არქეოლოგიური კვლევა ნაქალაქარ ნეკრეში. vol. 13, no. 4. georgian: BULLETIN OF THE GEORGIAN NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES,. pp. 186–191. {{ISSN|0132-1447}}. https://www.scopus.com/record/display.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85077363986&origin=AuthorNamesList&txGid=6f00e8ec72308d2b963ad2460b3d1365 |
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* {{cite journal |
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| ⚫ | * {{cite book |last1=Loosley Leeming |first1=Emma |title=Architecture and Asceticism: Cultural Interaction between Syria and Georgia in Late Antiquity |date=2018 |publisher=Brill |isbn=978-90-04-37531-4 |url=https://brill.com/view/title/38209?lang=en |series=Texts and Studies in Eastern Christianity, Volume: 13 |
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| ⚫ | |last1=Bakhtadze |first1=Nodar |last2=Mamiashvili |first2=Vazha |last3=Gabekhadze |first3=Bachana |title=დოლოჭოპის ბაზილიკის არქეოლოგიური კვლევა ნაქალაქარ ნეკრესში |date=2015 |journal=Online Archaeology |volume=8 |pages=110–133 |url=https://www.heritagesites.ge/uploads/files/59f350ca0f3b6.pdf |trans-title=The Dolochopi Basilica: Archeological Reaserch in the Nekresi Former City |language=ka}} |
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| ⚫ | * {{cite book |last1=Loosley Leeming |first1=Emma |title=Architecture and Asceticism: Cultural Interaction between Syria and Georgia in Late Antiquity |date=2018 |publisher=Brill |isbn=978-90-04-37531-4 |url=https://brill.com/view/title/38209?lang=en |series=Texts and Studies in Eastern Christianity, Volume: 13}} |
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[[Category:Buildings and structures in Kakheti]] |
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Kakheti]] |
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Latest revision as of 22:00, 23 July 2024
დოლოჭოპის ბაზილიკა | |
 Ruins of Dolochopi | |
 | |
| 41°58′25″N 45°48′37″E / 41.973568°N 45.810356°E | |
| Location | Qvareli Municipality, Kakheti, Georgia |
|---|---|
| Type | Three-church basilica |
Dolochopi basilica (Georgian: დოლოჭოპის ბაზილიკა, romanized: doloch'op'is bazilik'a) is an early Christian church—now in a ruinous state—in the eastern Georgian region of Kakheti, in the territory of the historical settlement of Nekresi. It is a large 5th-century triple basilica, built over an earlier ruined church, which is carbon dated to AD 387, making it one of the earliest known Christian sites in Georgia. It was unearthed in 2012. The basilica is inscribed on the list of the Immovable Cultural Monuments of National Significance of Georgia.[1]
Location
[edit]The Dolochopi basilica—so named after a long-abandoned village—stands in ruins at the northwest outskirts of the town of Qvareli, on the right bank of the Duruji river. Some 3.5 km west as the crow flies is the Nekresi monastery, and further 1 km west, lies the archaeological site of Chabukauri, boasting ruins of a large early Christian basilica, which shares many features with that of Dolochopi.[2]
The ruins at Dolochopi were located in archaeological reconnaissance in 2010 and excavated by an expedition of the Georgian National Museum led by Nodar Bakhtadze between 2012 and 2015.[2] It proved to be a substantial church which stood in the centre of what was once a flourishing settlement of Late Antiquity. The settlement, unknown from written sources, had declined steadily after a series of earthquakes and foreign invasions, falling into oblivion and being reclaimed by nature by the Late Middle Ages. Due to dense foliage, the extent of this settlement is unknown.[3]
Layout
[edit]
The church was built of rubble and gravel.[4] It was a large triple basilica, measuring 36 x 18.5 metres in its central three–nave section, but had further aisles added to both north and south, bringing the edifice to the total size of 44 x 27 metres.[3][5] This made Dolochopi the largest basilica known in Georgia and one of the largest in the Caucasus and neighboring regions of Eastern Christendom.[6] The division of the naos into three naves was effected by five pairs of cruciform columns. The central nave terminated in a horseshoe-shaped sanctuary apse on the east. The apse was furnished with a four-stepped synthronon—a bench reserved for the clergy—a feature unattested elsewhere in Georgia except at Chabukauri.[7] Beneath it, in the centre of the apse, was a large tomb compartment. Before the altar there was a spacious bema with a soleas. The easternmost portion of the gallery was occupied by a baptistery. The church was covered by a wooden roof with terracotta tiles, held in place with iron nails and antefixes.[8][3]
The basilica is dated, on architectural and archaeological grounds, to the middle of the 5th century. It is built over an earlier church, 25 metres in length and about 15 metres in width.[8][9] A sample obtained from this earliest layer is carbon dated to AD 387.[10] It was probably destroyed in an earthquake at the same time as the church at Chabukauri. The superimposed 5th-century basilica was also damaged in a later earthquake. The nave and the church's immediate premises continued to be used as a burial ground. The northeastern corner of the church was adapted in the 8th or 9th century as a mortuary chapel which remained functional until at least the 12th–13th century.[8]
The discoveries at Chabukauri and Dolochopi challenged a previous assumption that the first church buildings in eastern Georgia were typically small narrow edifices built to accommodate a limited number of people.[11] Architecturally, the Dolochopi church was a local precursor to a triple basilica design, peculiar for Georgia.[12] Aspects of overall design of the church and roofing as well the lighting fixtures uncovered at the site are typical Eastern Roman features, while some details of layout of the apse and numismatic finds at the site point to Sasanian influences.[13]
Notes
[edit]- ^ "List of Immovable Cultural Monuments" (PDF) (in Georgian). National Agency for Cultural Heritage Preservation of Georgia. Retrieved 25 July 2019.
- ^ a b Bakhtadze, Mamiashvili & Gabekhadze 2015, p. 110.
- ^ a b c Loosley Leeming 2018, pp. 49–50.
- ^ Bakhtadze, Mamiashvili & Gabekhadze 2015, p. 111.
- ^ Bakhtadze, Mamiashvili & Gabekhadze 2015, pp. 111–112.
- ^ Bakhtadze, Mamiashvili & Gabekhadze 2015, pp. 116–118.
- ^ Loosley Leeming 2018, p. 48.
- ^ a b c Bakhtadze, Mamiashvili & Gabekhadze 2015, pp. 111–114.
- ^ Loosley Leeming 2018, pp. 44–45.
- ^ Loosley Leeming 2018, p. 118.
- ^ Bakhtadze, Mamiashvili & Gabekhadze 2015, pp. 118–119.
- ^ Loosley Leeming 2018, pp. 118–120.
- ^ Loosley, Emma. "Dzveli Gavazi". Architecture and Asceticism. University of Exeter. Archived from the original on 1 September 2019. Retrieved 1 September 2019.
References
[edit]- Mamiashvili, vazha (2019) Volume 13". Archaeological Research upon the Earliest Christian Settlement in Nekresi/ადრეული ქრისტიანობის არქეოლოგიური კვლევა ნაქალაქარ ნეკრეში. vol. 13, no. 4. georgian: BULLETIN OF THE GEORGIAN NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES,. pp. 186–191. ISSN 0132-1447. https://www.scopus.com/record/display.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85077363986&origin=AuthorNamesList&txGid=6f00e8ec72308d2b963ad2460b3d1365
- Bakhtadze, Nodar; Mamiashvili, Vazha; Gabekhadze, Bachana (2015). "დოლოჭოპის ბაზილიკის არქეოლოგიური კვლევა ნაქალაქარ ნეკრესში" [The Dolochopi Basilica: Archeological Reaserch in the Nekresi Former City] (PDF). Online Archaeology (in Georgian). 8: 110–133.
- Loosley Leeming, Emma (2018). Architecture and Asceticism: Cultural Interaction between Syria and Georgia in Late Antiquity. Texts and Studies in Eastern Christianity, Volume: 13. Brill. ISBN 978-90-04-37531-4.