ABSTRACT

A monumental building at the coastal site of Tel ‘Afar, on the Via Maris—the road linking Antioch and Alexandria, was previously identified as the villa of a wealthy citizen of Caesarea. A new geological and archaeological survey at the site and re-examination of the findings from previous excavations, provide a new interpretation of the function and character of this building. Taken together, the analysis of the ceramic assemblage and the architectural plan along with the elements, all suggest that the structure was a Christian basilica, dated to the Byzantine period (6th–mid-7th centuries ce). Therefore, this evidence calls for a revaluation and classification of Tel ‘Afar either as a monastery or church on a private coastal estate.

摘要

特拉法尔沿海地区的一座纪念性建筑位于连接安条克和亚历山大的马里斯大道上，此前被认为是凯撒利亚一位富有公民的别墅。对现场进行的新的地质和考古调查以及对先前挖掘结果的重新检查，为这座建筑的功能和特征提供了新的解释。总而言之，对陶瓷组合和建筑平面图以及元素的分析都表明，该结构是一座基督教大教堂，其历史可以追溯到拜占庭时期（公元六世纪至七世纪中叶）。因此，这一证据要求对特尔阿法尔进行重新评估和分类，将其归类为私人沿海庄园上的修道院或教堂。