Sabastiya : The Fruits of History and the Memory of John the Baptist. A Project of Archaeology, Conservation and Local Community in Palestine

The book is the calalogue of an exhibition held in Rimini (Italy) in 2011. It focuses on the town of Sabastiya established in 25 B.C. by Herod the Great. The town shows important archaeological remains: Hellenistic tower, temple dedicated to Augustus, forum, basilica, theatre, stadium, walls and colonnaded street. In the Byzantine epoch, the site received particular attention being the place of John the Baptist’s Tomb. A first church was built over the tomb and then rebuilt during the Crusader period. The excavation and conservation work in the historical core of Sabastiya unearthed a massive fortification, a tower, a chapel of the Crusader period dated to the 12th century and two fragments of a mosaic floor, dated to the 4th-5th century, probably remains of the Byzantine monastery built next to the church. The mosaic shows a geometric border of swastikas, alternating with a rectangular motif with small rhombs. A second frame of juxtaposed flowers forms semmicircular sections with a bird and a fish. NB : exposition reconduite du 18 au 26 mai 2013 à Vicence.