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©The Archaeological Settlements of Turkey - TAY Project
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Viransehir 1 |
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Type:
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Church |
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Plan Type:
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Cross Plan |
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Year of Costruction:
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4th c. |
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Phase:
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Early |
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Investigation Method:
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Survey |
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Altitude:
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Region:
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Central Anatolia |
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Province:
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Aksaray |
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District:
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Merkez |
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Village:
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Helvadere |
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Antique Name:
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Mokissos |
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| Location: It is located on the west slope of the valley, in the ancient city of Nora known as Viransehir, in the south of Helvadere Town in Merkez District of Aksaray Province. |
| Geography and Environment: |
| Research and Excavation: |
| Description: Architectural Features: It is also known as Kemer Church. It is a masonry church in cross plan. The cross-arms of the church are different from each other. The north cross-arm is longer than the south one. The west cross-arm, on the other hand, is in irregular plan. This disjointedness and the differences seen on the texture of the walls show that the church underwent a change later and some additions were made. The cross-arms are barrel-vaulted and it is believed that the central section was covered by dome. The apse was added directly to the central section. The apse is pentagonal on the outside and horseshoe shaped on the inside due to the buttresses in the west section. The church is lightened by three window openings. There is a room on the southwest corner of the church and a large cistern locates to the south of the church [Thierry 1963:23; Restle-Hild 1981:236; Ramsay-Bell 1909:283; Rott 1908:pl.98; Restle 1979:73]. According to Ramsay and Bell (1909: 283), the stone masonry is typical for Viransehir. The important sections are built with cut-stones and the façades of the naos are erected with irregular large blocks. Decorative Features: The wall pillars supporting the dome have capitals with simple decoration [Rott 1908; Restle 1979:73]. |
| Finds: |
| Interpretation: Restle dated to structure to the first half of the 7th century [Restle 1979:171]. |
| Destruction: |
