Archaeologists: 5th Century Cathedral Unearthed in Syria

By H. Said
Friday, 16 July 2010 13:40

ADO: Syria (Hasaka) - A 5th century cathedral was discovered in Hasaka by the Syrian archaeological mission working at the site of Tal Hasaka (hill), northeastern Syria.

Director of Tourism Department in Hasaka Abdulmasieh Baghdo said that the 31 m long and 18 m wide cathedral consists of two parts.

The first part is the plate of the cathedral surrounded by a basalt wall whose northern side is 2.10 m high. There is also an adobe floor with three porticos in the north, middle and south, and a number of decorated pedestals and pillars made of basalt.

The inner sanctuary (the Holy of Holies) forms the other part of the cathedral including the Baptism Room, the Temple and the Deaconry.

A grape press was unearthed to the north of the cathedral, said Baghdo, adding that a part of a hall which is believed to have been used as a reception room was found to the south of the cathedral.

The findings of the archeological mission working at the site also included remains of scattered buildings and pottery dating back to the 12th and 13th centuries A.D., in addition to parts of a gypsum-painted building from the modern Assyrian period (11th century A.D.). (SANA)

Global Arab Network