Early Christian Basilica of Sanisera (Spain)
March 24 - October 27, 2022
other
Uncovering Early Spanish Christianity
In 2022, the field school for archaeological fieldwork – promoted by Sanisera Archeology Institute on the island of Menorca, which belongs to the Mediterranean islands of Spain – will begin an excavation project in one of the Early Christian basilicas of the ancient Roman port of Sanisera which is located on the northernmost coast of the island.
In the last three years, a basilica has been discovered that follows the architectural criteria that Christianity expanded from the fourth-century C.E. into the western Mediterranean. The results of the excavations carried out have been spectacular since it has been possible to discover the central and lateral spaces of the building and the documentation of more than 20 cist tombs that are preserved in the underground of the church. The spaces of the presbyterium, altar, and rooms attached to the apse of the headstand out. The basilica preserves in its outer area more than 60 cist tombs that have been excavated in the past years between 2013 and 2018.
So far, no mosaics have been documented in the temple. However, it has been possible to register fragments of glass and oil lamps that were part of the illumination of the sacred space. It has also been surprising to identify marble fragments from the altar table. The approximate chronology of the building is located at the end of the fifth century or the beginning of the sixth century when the port of Sanitja was dominated by the Vandal Kingdom based in Carthage (Tunisia), with whom the commercial networks were direct and are shown in the interesting collection pottery from the Late Antiquity period that has been recorded in the Sanisera excavations. The main objective of the 2022 excavation is to discover the baptistery, an area to celebrate the baptism of the local population who converted to Christianity.
Details
Geographic Location
Balearic Island, Eastern Spain
Dates of the Dig
March 24 - October 27, 2022
Minimum Stay
2 Weeks
Application Due
Saturday, October 15, 2022
Academic Credit/Cost per Credit/Institution
Yes. Contact for more details.
Cost
Directors
Fernando Contreras Rodrigo: Sanisera Archaeology Institute
Bernardo Vila: Sanisera Archaeology Institute
Contact
Fernando Contreras Rodrigo
[email protected]
Phone: +34 608894650
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