The of St. Pachomius Author(s): Peter Grossmann Reviewed work(s): Source: The Biblical Archaeologist, Vol. 42, No. 4, The Nag Hammadi Library and Its Archeological Context (Autumn, 1979), pp. 232-236 Published by: The American Schools of Oriental Research Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/3209516 . Accessed: 04/11/2012 21:07

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http://www.jstor.org Peter Grossmann The After the third season of excavating, several new architecturalfeatures were Basili0f ca discovered which helped Grossmann to restore the of original shape of the basilica. StpahonujusAfter the second season of the Nag Hammadi excavation at the end of 1976 the interpretation of the excavated architectural remains at QiblTwas somewhat uncertain (VanF.w Elderen and Robinson 1977a: 57-73; 1977b: 36-54). During work at "9' QiblTin 1977-78, however, . severalF.w new features of the. basilica were uncovered so that it is now possible to create a relatively clear idea of the original shape of the . The archeological team was g* ?r able to determine how far the main structure of the church extended in all four directions. It appears that the great basilica of QiblTwas a very long building .,i of fiveF.w aisles, with a return aisle along the west side (as is usual in early Christian architecture in ), and probably a fine sanctuary at the east side. The western return aisle and the outer aisles on both sides of the nave are particularly narrow and, thus, P" ' ,• demonstrate that they belong together architecturally. They form something ~-?~ t of an ambulatory surrounding the three inner aisles on three sides. 4? Doors must have existed in the west wall as the western row of columns would allow. The three inner aisles are considerably wider than the ambula- tory. Contrary to the usual situation in Egyptian churches, these inner aisles do not differ much from L? very , each other in width. The central nave is narrower than the combined width of the inner side aisles; in relation to other examples of aisles in Egyptian churches, this must be considered as

Square5 from the Basilicaof St. Pachomius,showing several large storage pots and a columnwhich fell onto the burnedlevel (left). Decoratedstone from Square11 of the Basilicaof St. Pachomius(opposite).

232 BIBLICAL ARCHEOLOGIST/ FALL 1979 really quite narrow. (By comparison, shafts are with one exception Although little of it has been in the North Basilica of , 5.35-5.38 m long. This conformity in uncovered, the sanctuary of the an example of a more typical length contrasts markedly with both church had two northern side Egyptian church, the nave is three the irregularities in the position of the chambers separated from one another times as wide as the aisles; cf. Jaritz columns and the differences in the by a rather thin wall. At the same 1970: 69ff., fig. 7.) Perhaps in the elevation of the bases. Furthermore, time, the outer walls at the northeast particular case of the great basilica at two different types of columns are to corner are unusually thick. One should Fdw QiblT,the group of three aisles in be distinguished: one type has a fully note, however, that this is the case the center of the church replaces the developed entasis (a slight convexity only for the foundation, which was single nave in the ordinary basilica. in a shaft of a column) and tradi- constructed in this manner to provide In addition, it is surprising that tional profiles on the top and the the corner especially with greater in front of the eastern wall of the footing, as they are known from the strength. In the much smaller main nave (Square 10), where the end of Hellenistic and Roman periods; the church at the of Apa the inner northern stylobate is to be other type is without entasis and Jeremias at Saqqira, large blocks of expected, no indication of such a already has the profiles of the granite were used for the same stylobate was uncovered. Thus, the Byzantine column. In spite of these purpose (cf. Grossmann 1973: 145-46, possibility must not be excluded that differences, however, one should not fig. 1). Wace, however, tried to at the last column the stylobate was conclude that these columns were explain the same feature in the turned toward the center of the nave. produced during widely separated basilica of Hermopolis Magna by Two inner columns may have been periods of time. The first type of suggesting a staircase inside the north added in front of the apse, like those column shaft was used for the inner wall, but this explanation does not in the basilica in the court of the rows of columns on both sides of the seem very satisfactory (cf. Wace, temple of Medinet Habu at Thebes; central nave, and the second type was Megaw, and Skeat 1959: 49, pls. 4, 5). in this way something like a used for the two outer rows between The apse and the chambers on secondary triumphal arch may have the inner and the outer side aisles. the south side of the sanctuary are been formed. In the case of the The stylobate was raised about situated below some houses of the basilica of Fdw Qibli, however, I 40 cm above the floor level. To modern village of Fdw Qibli. There am unable to restore these addi- facilitate movement from one aisle to is no doubt, however, that the tional columns in such a way that the the other, small steps were constructed arrangement of rooms on both sides space between them corresponds cor- in the stylobate. A part of the floor of the apse was more or less rectly with the presumed width of the could be identified at the eastern end symmetrical. Since the central nave apse (Villard 1954: 51-53, fig. 57). of the inner left aisle where a few was quite narrow, the apse must not The separation of the different limestone slabs of the original pave- have been very large. aisles is accomplished by the use of ment remained in situ (Square 11). At the west end of the church four rows of huge, reused granite Nearby, two large granite pedestals there is reason to surmise that there columns. Where the lengths could of the northern inner row of columns was an open narthex, although to easily be measured, the complete survived in relatively good condition. date no positions of it have been uncovered. Its existence is indicated, however, by certain granite bases which were placed near the west end of the church. These bases are of a very different shape from the pedes- rr tals used for the inner rows of columns within the church. a lb Finally, the church also possessed a portico along its north side. Since column bases are .Rb., *. many to be found along the north side (though many have been overturned), this outer

bit Alrl portico must have extended nearly the entire length of the church. Only the foundations of the walls of the church have survived. They are of extraordinary breadth (north wall-2.30 m; northeast corner- fir 2.90 m). Above the ground, however, the walls must have been considerably smaller. If one reduces the breadth of the inner edge by about 20 cm and the outer edge by about 30 cm, the

BIBLICAL ARCHEOLOGIST/ FALL 1979 233 remaining breadth of the wall will still be about 1.80 m. A similar breadth is to be found in the outer wall of the so-called White Monastery, a church of about the same size as the great basilica of Fdw Qibli; the walls of the 340 " White Monastery are 1.75 m thick (Evers and Romero 1964: 175-77, fig. A). During the time when the church 350 was in use, and even later, the area of

- - the church was used extensively for burials. Along the walls and stylobates a large number of burials 360 _ were uncovered. Many of the bodies were placed in a wooden coffin noo framed with brickwork. () Remains of an earlier period of 370 / occupation were uncovered at two locations at the site (Square 5/6 and Square 11). For stratigraphic reasons it be concluded that these 380 may iI. remains belong to the middle of the 4th century A.D. The remains in Square 5/6, already known from the 1976-77 season (Van Elderen and F I Robinson 1977a: 57-73; 1977b: 36-54), < o". include a section of a thick brick wall and a foundation wall which may be understood as a stylobate. During this 900 past season, at a distance of ca. 22 m east of Square 5/6, a similar brick wall was uncovered in Square 11; this 410 W wall also forms a northeast corner. a With good reason one may assume ) that this wall belongs to the same structure. Both walls are of equal 420 breadth and correspond fairly well in their alignment. Consequently, the new section of wall represents the east end of that earlier building. The mentioned foundation 'J previously - . 0. wall, which has some similarity to a stylobate, gives the impression that this building, which is nearly parallel 440 to the great basilica, is also a church. , For stratigraphic reasons it must be dated to about the middle of the 4th century. It probably belongs to the time of Pachomius since Pachomian legend maintains that he erected a church at Faw QiblT(Pabau). (Although the construction of an oratory is not recorded in the Vita Prima Graeca, chap. 54 [Halkin 1932a: 36-37], it is reported in the Bohairic Life of Pachomius, chap. 49 [Lefort 1943: 115-16]. In the legend- ary Paralipomena, chap. 32 [Halkin 1932b: 157-58], the church is described

234 BIBLICAL ARCHEOLOGIST/ FALL 1979 Square 1 of Basilicaof St. Pachomius, the nave of this earlier church would showinga column that fell onto the be more than 10 m wide. In addition, burnedlevel of the I Ith-century it would be of particular interest to destructionby Hikim. learn whether such an early church possessed a return aisle and was as constructed of bricks; when it was furnished with chambers alongside the completed, Pachomius found it too apse. In the 5th century both of these handsome and had the monks twist features became characteristic ele- -:i: the columns out of position in order ments of the early Christian churches to take the beauty from it. The in Egypt. For the moment, however, legend, reporting the pulling down of since there is no indication of a the columns, occurs in the Vatican stylobate near the northeast corner, it ::: manuscript 819 of the Greek Life of seems that this area represents part of Pachomius [Mertel 1917: 68].) If this the chamber on the northern side of conclusion is correct, this church was the sanctuary. Consequently, there is also a rather large church in compari- some hope that at least the triumphal son with some other early examples arch for the entrance of the apse is found at Kellia (Daumas 1969: 496- situated in an area that is not 98, fig. 12; Kasser 1972: 72, pl. 31) occupied by a modern building. and Antinoopolis (Leclant 1970: 336; I was informed by Manfredi of the 4th-century date of this church). Since there is no evidence of a corresponding stylobate in Square 1,

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BIBLICAL ARCHEOLOGIST/ FALL 1979 235 Bibliography Jaritz, H. Villard, U. Monneret de 1970 Nordbasilika. Pp. 69-74 in Peter 1954 A report written in 1934quoted by U. Daumas, F. Grossmann, Abu Mena: Siebenter H61scher. Pp. 51-54 in The Excava- 1969 Rapport sur l'activit6 de l'Institut vorliufiger Bericht. Mitteilung des tion of Medinet Habu V Post- franqais d'Archeologie orientale du Deutschen Archiiologischen Instituts Ramessid Remains, by U. H61scher, Cairo au cours des annees 1968-1969. Kairo 26: 53-82. Oriental Institute Publications 66. Comptes rendus de I'Acadimie des Kasser, R. Chicago: University of Chicago. inscriptions et belles-lettres. Paris: 1972 Kellia: Topographie. Recherches Wace, A. I. B.; Megaw, A. H. S.; and Skeat, T. C. Acad6mie des Sciences. suisses d'archeologie copte 2. Geneve: 1959 Hermopolis Magna, Ashmunein. Al- Evers, H. G., and Romero, R. Georg. exandria: University. 1964 Rotes und Weisses Kloster bei So- Leclant, J. hag/ Probleme der Rekonstruktion. 1970 Fouilles et travaux en Egypte et au 175-95 Christentum 1968-1969. Pp. in am Nil, Soudan, Orientalia 39: Peter Grossmann, the leading ed. K. Wessel. Internationale Ar- 320-74, tables xv-liii. specialist in church archi- zur Lefort, L. Th. Coptic beitstagung Austellung "Kop- tecture, is a member of the tische Kunst," Essen, Villa Hiigel, 23- 1943 Les vies coptes de Saint Pachome et permanent 25 Juli 1963. Recklinghausen: A. de ses premierssuccesseurs, in Biblio- staff of the German Archaeological Bongers. theque du Musion 16. Institute in Cairo. He is an architect Grossmann, P. Mertel, H. by training. 1973 Reinigungsarbeiten im Jeremiasklos- 1917 Athanasius II, in Bibliothek der ter bei Saqqara. Zweiter vorlaufiger Kirchenviter 31. Bericht. Mitteilungen des Deutschen Van Elderen, B., and Robinson, J. M. Archdologischen Instituts Kairo 28: 1977a The Second Season of the Nag 145-52, tables xxxvi-xxxix. Hammadi Excavation 22 November- Halkin, F., ed. 29 December 1976. G6ttingen Mis- 1932a Vita Prima Graeca. Pp. 1-96 in Sancti zellen 24: 57-73. Pachomii Vitae Graecae. Bruxelles: 1977b The Second Season of the Nag Soci(t& des Bollandistes. Hammadi Excavation 22 November- 1932b Paralipomena. Pp. 122-65 in Sancti 29 December 1976. American Re- Pachomii Vitae Graecae. Bruxelles: search Center in Egypt Newsletter Soci6te des Bollandistes. 99/100: 36-54.

ASOR RECEIVESSUBVENTION FOR SYMPOSIA VOLUME The Horace H. RackhamSchool of Graduate Studies of the Universityof Michiganhas made a $3000.00 subvention to the American Schools of Oriental Research. The subvention will cover the printingcost for both the paperback and hardbound editionsof the book,Symposia Celebrating the Seventy- Fifth Anniversaryof the Founding of the American Schools of OrientalResearch (1900-1975). The publicationof Symposia was aided in large measure by this most generous subvention.All ASOR members and friendsare deeply appreciativeof such support.

236 BIBLICAL ARCHEOLOGIST/ FALL 1979