Ricerca storico-archeologica in Giordania XVII – 1997

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480 RICERCA IN GIORDANIA 81) separates it from the narthex, which was accessed by a door, whose sill and jambs were found in situ. At present, the extension of the area towards the south west, is not known. The stratigraphical analysis reveals that at surface level, a thin stratum of SU 0 was superimposed on SU 49, this latter characterized by numerous window nets, fragments of glass and sherds covering a layer of squared-up homogeneous ashlars (structural fall = USM 76 ?). The functions of this room (Locus 7) and its relation with the church are still to be determined. Narthex The portion of the excavated narthex, corresponding to the façade of the north church, has revealed a similar stratigraphical sequence already visioned in the 1996 excavation: composed of SU 0, which covers SU 49, slightly inclined in a north-east/south-west direction. This stratum, in turn covers SU 42, upon which was found a moulded column base (RA 66). Between the base and the external wall (USM 81) of locus 7, a dark brown soil stratum (SU 80) in relation with a tabun was discovered. The sill to the door of the room (locus 7) is set upon the narthex mosaic flooring, identified through an exploratory probe. The Chapel The plastered raised platform, set on the west side of the chapel, and left untouched in the 1996 campaign, was violated by the locals showing the presence of small artificial square cavity (0.75 × 0.75) plastered inside, conic shaped, and built directly on the bed rock. Its opening was at the center of the plastered platform. The cavity was covered by a base of a column with a lateral hollow to facilitate its opening. The raised plaster step, which contained the cavity (SU 66), was covered by a vault and was externally closed by a wall, whose shape was not yet determined. In the proximity of the step, the mosaic discovered last year showed a motive with two rampant lions on either sides of a medalion turned towards the cavity and not towards the opposed apse of the chapel; on the other hand two hollow embeds probably for small pilasters or a chancel screen were cut on both sides of the wall flanking the step. These remarks bear testimony of a certain importance of this structure within the chapel itself. The excavation was also extended to the area located behind the apse of the chapel. It showed the presence of a quadrilateral room with four pairs of pilasters surmounted by reused imposts (though similar typologic-
RELAZIONI DELLE SPEDIZIONI ARCHEOLOGICHE 481 ally) plastered in order to show homogeneity. Three of the walls are visible: the north wall is shared with the central church, comunicating by a door; the west wall had in origin a door wich has been transformed into a niche when the apse of the chapel has been built; the south wall is visible only partially on the internal side; the east wall has not been found yet due to the presence of a modern Ottoman wall over it (pertaining to house number 16 of the survey). Both pilasters and arches along with the roof slabs were found laying on SU 49, presenting an architectonical plan similar to the churches. The stratigrafical sequence seems to be the same already registered in the churches with the upper layers SU 14 and SU 23 with many Mamluk - Ottoman and other sherds found along with a tabun (in situ). Studium Biblicum Franciscanum Report by: B. Hamarneh - S. De Luca - S. Manacorda - V. Michel 7. Nitl 1997. Survey of the village and ecclesiastical complex (Pl. 43) The village of Nitl is set on a hill 10 km east of Madaba. The nucleus of the settlement is made up of a complex with two adjoining churches and a chapel. The three buildings are interconnected through passage ways in the south and north walls of the central edifice. The perimeter of the village is delimited by a ring of roads which separates it from the modern buildings. The dimensions of the three ecclesiastical buildings are: Church 1 (South Church) is 8.54 × 17.00 m; Church 2 (North Church), still partially excavated, is 9.00 m wide; the south west chapel (area 3) is 3.18 × 8.33 m. A common atrium develops on the west of the three churches. The perimeter walls of the atrium (area 4) show up evidence of re-utilization in different epochs, with the setting of later walls against it. This area is paved with mosaic, having a geometric motif. The tesserae are on average 1.5 to 2.0 cm. Following the removal of the fall in Church 1, the presence of a room, inhabited during the Ottoman era (US 25), was discovered. It was set against the south wall of the church and had a door to the east that leads to the church’s hall upon a treading level paved with stone slabs. The fall of the arches and pilasters lies on the church flooring, together with that from the three façade portals. The lintel of the central portal, carrying a Greek inscription, is also identifiable. There remains in situ the circular door of the northern entrance. It has a central hole and it was rolled over to close the entrance. The pilasters in the central nave project by 44-64 cm and the thickness of the arch impost is 68-70 cm.
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Ricerca storico-archeologica in Giordania XVII – 1997

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