The Bir Messaouda basilica : pilgrimage and the transformation of an urban landscape in sixth century AD Carthage / by Richard Miles and Simon Greenslade ; with contributions by Ralf Bockmann [and eight others].

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Miles, Richard, 1969- author.

Greenslade, Simon, author.

Contributor:

Bockmann, Ralf, contributor.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Excavations (Archaeology)--Tunisia--Carthage (Extinct city).

Excavations (Archaeology).

Physical Description:

1 online resource (441 pages)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Oxford ; Philadelphia : Oxbow Books, 2020.

Summary:

"This volume charts the radical transformation of an inner city neighbourhood in Late Antique Carthage which was excavated over a five-year period by a team from the University of Cambridge. Bordering the main thoroughfare leading from the Byrsa Hill to the ports, the neighbourhood remained primarily a residential one from the second century until 530s AD when a substantial basilica was constructed over the eastern half of the insula. Further extensive modifications were made to the basilica half a century later when the structures on the western half of the insula were demolished and the basilica greatly enlarged with the addition of new east-west aisles, a large monumental baptistery and a crypt. By carefully reconstructing the complex architectural plan of this innovative building, this study shows how the remodelled Bir Messaouda basilica was transformed into a major pilgrimage centre; overturning established tradition that located such complexes outside the city walls. The Bir Messaouda basilica provides important insights into the transition between Vandal and Byzantine control of the city, the development of a new Christian intermural urban landscape in the sixth century AD, and the significance of the pilgrimage in reinforcing ecclesiastical authority in post-Justinianic North Africa." -- Back cover.

Contents:

Late Antique Carthage : archaeological and historical contexts / Richard Miles

The early history of Bir Messaouda : Punic and Roman / Simon Greenslade and Richard Miles

The transition of Bir Messaouda in the early to mid-6th century AD / Simon Greenslade and Richard Miles

The transition of Bir Messaouda in the later 6th century AD / Simon Greenslade and Richard Miles

The baptistery and crypt / Simon Greenslade and Richard Miles

The later history of the basilica / Simon Greenslade and Richard Miles

The 6th-century mosaics at Bir Messaouda / Jane Chick

Plaster / Claudia Goodbrand

The glass from the excavation at Bir Messaouda / Sylvia Fünfschilling

The Bir Messaouda pottery / Claudia Goodbrand

Appendix 1. The coins / Stefan Krmnicek

Metal building materials, personal and utilitarian objects and other small metal finds / Ralf Bockmann

Ceramic building material from the Bir Messaouda Excavations 2000-2002 / Philip Mills

The stone finds / Ben Croxford.

Appendix 1: The marble typology. Appendix 2: Catalogue of illustrated finds

Conclusions / Richard Miles

Appendix: The search for the Maritime Forum of Carthage / John Whitehouse and Sami Harize.

Notes:

Description based on print version record.

ISBN:

9781785706837

1785706837

9781785706813

1785706810