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©The Archaeological Settlements of Turkey - TAY Project
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Karsiyaka Kilisesi |
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For site maps and drawings please click on the picture...  |
For photographs please click on the photo...  |
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Type:
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Church |
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Plan Type:
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Year of Costruction:
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Phase:
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Early |
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Investigation Method:
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Excavation |
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Altitude:
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Region:
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Marmara |
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Province:
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Balikesir |
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District:
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Erdek |
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Village:
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Antique Name:
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| Location: The site is in Karşıyaka Locality of Erdek Suburb of Balıkesir City. |
| Geography and Environment: |
| Research and Excavation: This site is found in 2003 when the Karşıyaka Mosque was demolished to be re-built during the foundation earthworks and documented by Bandırma Archaeology Museum by a 35-day recovery excavation lead by H. Sahin [Sahin 2005:27]. |
| Description: After the excavation it is found out that the building is a church with a 3 parted apsis sticking out, probably having three naves, built on an area approximately 430 sqm. Red brick-dust, ashlar, rough stone and bricks are used in the walls of the building. Various architectural materials which belong to Roman and Early Byzantium Period such as column drums and capitals are used sometimes in their entirety, and sometimes in pieces as the construction material in the walls. The outer faces of walls are built pretty neatly. This shows that there are no plasters outside. On the other hand a thick layer of plaster is believed to be used in the internal locations. The top of the plaster is decorated with fresques made with Buon Fresco (Real Fresko) technique however no remains are left except few small pieces. Intramural burials exist in the internal side of the Western wall of the church. The church is in the internal face of the West wall and under the opus sectile floor level. Three skeletons are found inside which are believed to be the church staff or other important people. |
| Finds: Geometrical opus sectile is used on the floor paving of the church. An opus sectile panel having a figure is found among the embankment soil. Although where its original location is not known it is believed to be used in front of the apsis. During the excavations the bottom piece of a glass lamp is captured. Considering its identical items the lamp is dated 6th Ğ 7th Century. And many column drums, column pieces, capitals, ambon piece, and architectural pieces are captured. |
| Interpretation: Considering the captured material and the opus sectile flooring, the church is dated later than 6th Ğ 7th Century, i.e. Early Ğ Middle Byzantium Period. |
| Destruction: |
