SITE PICTURES > ARCHITECTUAL FRAGMENTS

TEMPLE II CAPITAL

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

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

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.

This block is a cornice from the Hellenistic shrine. Adorning the top of the structure with the carving facing down, a pedestrian standing beneath the shrine would have looked up to see the vibrant paint and delicate rosettes. The find is extremely rare since it has preserved red and blue paint, as well as actual gold leaf on the carving. The piece was found in the fill within Temple I, right above of the Shrine’s podium. The cornice is extremely well carved, and is much smaller than any cut stones from Temple I or II. Presently, the cornice is being conserved and studied at the Israel Museum in Jerusalem.

FRESCOED SHRINE AMBULATORY WALL

This frescoed wall is from an interior section of the ambulatory which runs behind the Shrine. It is the only section of the ambulatory that is preserved with its original fresco. The paint is in excellent condition and includes black, red, yellow, and ochre, while the design is similar to the second Pompeian style. Conservation measures, such as sandbags and refilling have been enacted to preserve the integrity of both the wall and the fresco. Conservation plans for the site have included protecting this portion of the wall while also possibly reconstructing/rebuilding the areas of the wall that no longer retain their fresco.

PILASTER CAPITAL

This is a pilaster capital recovered from the fill directly on top of the Shrine and found in a similar location to the painted cornice block. The block itself is limestone, while the capital is actually made entirely of plaster, probably created using a mold. The capital, like the cornice block, is small and delicate, only measuring about 1.5 ft in height and 2 ft in length. The design is similar to a traditional Corinthian capital, but displays Near Eastern and Hellenistic influence. The capital would have been placed at the top of an engaged column, perhaps on the side of the shrine instead of adorning the front

MERLON BLOCK

These pictures show the Merlon blocks uncovered from Space 3 in the rear of the Temple II. Found assembled with tryglyphs, metopes, and cornices, the style and size indicate that these blocks are Hellenistic and Near Eastern in nature and are from the early shrine. Each Merlon is covered in painted plaster with solid colors, including red, ochre, and black. Architect Michael Nelson believes that these were placed on the top of the early shrine.

FLORAL ASHLAR

This piece of cut limestone was found in the fill above the shrine in the same area as the painted cornice. The flower is made entirely out of plaster that was applied to the limestone and then carved. Architect Michael Nelson believes that, along with other ornate decorated blocks, this piece adorned the temple podium. Because of exceptional condition combined with its rarity, the floral ashlar has been removed from the field and undergone conservation at the Israel Museum in Jerusalem. Note the difference between the conditions of the block as it was removed from the field versus after treatment.