SITE PICTURES > ARCHITECTUAL FRAGMENTS

This intricate capital capped one of the massive square pillars which adorned the four corners of the enlarged temple. Probably during the earthquake of 363 CE this huge capital came crashing down, along with much of the roof. The capital is carved in typical Corinthian style, adorned with decorative rosettas along the top, which are similar to the rosettas carved along the base of the podium (see below). Herod the Great's family emblem was the rosetta, and it symbol of Herodian power. However, rosettas were a popular decorative motif in the Galilee from the time of Herod the Great through the Late Roman period.

THE OUT PODIUM ROSETTA

Podium Base and Rosetta

Close-Up

The outer podium, discovered in the '99 season, was decorated with a line of these beautiful rosettas. Besides the rosetta depicted, the pattern continued visibly into the eastern balk. The inner podium, however, bears no signs of any similar decoration. The blocks of the inner podium are made of smooth tightly fitted ashlars characteristic of early Roman building.

WATER PIPES

10 inch pipes under the Temenos

15 inch Wadi Pipe

Excavations have revealed a complex system of pressurized water pipes at Omrit. The pipes were used to transfer clean water from the nearby Wadi (Canal) to public buildings and bath complexes around the city. These pipes fall into two categories-- 10 inch and 15 inch pipes. The Romans in the Upper Galilee tended to make water pipes with a 10 inch diameter, while the Byzantines used larger 15 inch pipes.

Two parallel 10 inch pipes (pictured above) were discovered mostly intact under the temple Temenos following the removal of two basalt paving stones. The lack of datable material found in the context of the pipes suggests that they were repaired at some point, probably after the earthquake in 363 CE.

Excavators have also traced several Byzantine pipes running from the Wadi to Byzantine public buildings. These Byzantine pipes are coated in a substance called hydraulic plaster (see above), which contains small bits of crushed pottery in its matrix. Hydraulic plaster is extremely durable and was often used to pressurize pipes carrying hot water. There is strong evidence (see square M23) that the Byzantine pipes were installed hastily after the earthquake in 363 CE to replace damaged 10 inch pipes.

Basalt Cross

Nanette Displays the Cross

The cross pictured above is one of two crosses found during the 2000 season. Both crosses were etched into basalt blocks, and discovered at the south-eastern base of the tel. Basalt was the most common building material available at Omrit. All the limestone on the site had to be imported long distances. During the Byzantine period most new building was done with basalt, although as was typical of Byzantine builders, they also reused old Roman limestone ashlars. These crosses probably date from the Byzantine period, but it is also possible that they may belong to later Crusader occupation of the temple.