Palestine Exploration Fund - Quarterly Statement for 1894/Discovery of a Beautiful Mosaic Pavement with Armenian Inscription
DISCOVERY OF A BEAUTIFUL MOSAIC PAVEMENT WITH ARMENIAN INSCRIPTION, NORTH OF JERUSALEM.
By Baurath von Schick and F. J. Bliss, Ph.D.
mosaic pavement with armenian inscription from north of jerusalem showing the armenian inscription
(From a Photograph)
mosaic pavement from north of jerusalem.
(From a Photograph.)
and found that a very nice mosaic flooring had been laid bare about 3 feet under the surface of the ground. I told them they should not destroy it, but clear all earth away, so as to show what it might have been and of what size. This they did, and after two days I went again to see what had been done. Three sides of a former room were visible, but the fourth, towards the east, was not yet reached. The room was, inside, about 15 feet wide (length unknown). At my first visit I saw that at the end near the wall there was a kind of scroll, and further in I saw some figures, which I thought to represent burning candles, but now at the second visit I recognised as the tail of a peacock. Of these birds there are several, as well as of another kind, which I thought were intended to [represent geese. These two sorts of birds are standing amidst branches. Some said there were also fishes, but these I did not see. I was also shown a stone slab about 12 inches square, with a cross of the Knights of St. John on it, and below some writing in two lines of a language unknown to me. The slab was broken into five or six pieces, but no pieces were lost, so that they can be put together and everything seen. This slab was not found on the pavement, but about 25 feet distant from it, where a new house has been built, and where tombs also are said to have been found. I am sorry that I did not see the latter, as they were soon covered again. When I had seen things so far, I resolved to come the next day and measure everything carefully, as I had not at the time the necessary things with me, nor could I hinder the workmen. Her Majesty's Consul, Mr. Dickson, who came and examined the matter, thought the writing on the slab to be Latin.
The next morning, thinking the whole pavement must now be cleared, I went early there with all that I wanted for measuring, copying, and making squeezes, but on arriving I found many people there—amongst them the Greek Patriarch, and, what surprised me, also a policeman, and the whole floor covered with mats, so that I could do nothing. Asking the servant of the proprietor how it happened that the work was arrested and under police guard, he said: Ibrahim Effendi, who is with Dr. Bliss, and has the duty to inspect and watch all excavations, came to see it^ and went to the Pasha and reported thereon, on which the Pasha stopped the work. I cannot say how soon I may gain free access to do my intended work, but as perhaps Dr. Bliss, in company with Ibrahim Effendi, may do it, my efforts may not be needed. I have not yet seen Dr. Bliss to speak with him about it, but will soon do so.
The pavement has since been covered with a new plain room built over it, and so fully protected. It is connected with the other parts of a new dwelling house, but has a separate entrance, and on two sides windows. This work seems to have been done at the expense of the owner of the ground, as the proposed purchase by some other parties was not effected. The new room is considered as a chapel, and shown to visitors. It is now locked up. I have entered the situation of the mosaic on the plan now forwarded.
I was called away this afternoon for the purpose of photographing a magnificent mosaic a couple of hundred yards west of St. Stephen's, north-west of the Damascus Gate. When the Pasha heard of its discovery by the owner in the course of digging for foundations he arrested the work, and put the matter in our hands. I sent my foreman with labourers to complete the excavation, and on Saturday a photograph was taken, but not satisfactory, so we must try again to-day. Full reports will be given later; here I may say that it is a splendid piece of work, about 21 feet by 13 feet, with a small apse pointing almost exactly east. Within a beautiful border, springing from this base is a vine with ramifying branches, on which hang grape clusters; among the branches are numerous birds, peacocks, ducks, storks, an eagle, a partridge, a parrot in a cage, &c., &c. It is almost perfectly preserved. Near the east end there is an Armenian inscription, to the effect that the place was in memory of the salvation of all those Armenians whose names the Lord knows. It is evidently a mortuary chapel. The débris over the walls is hardly more than 3 feet, and the chapel rests on the rock, which doubtless contains tombs and coffins. The mosaic is similar to that found on the Mount of Olives with the Armenian inscription, but is far more elaborate, being the finest work of the kind ever found here. It is clearly Byzantine. The pattern is identical with that found in our mosaic near the counterscarp, and the walls of the two rooms are of the same construction. Hence our mosaic is also doubtless Byzantine.