An architectural block with altar-iconography from the North-west Quarter of Jerash*. (May 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lichtenberger, Achim; Raja, Rubina
• Is Part Of: Levant. Volume 47:Number 1(2015)
• Page Start: 112
• Page End: 130
• Publication Date: 2015-05
• Subjects: Middle East -- Antiquities -- Periodicals; Middle East -- History -- Periodicals; Middle East -- Civilization -- To 622 -- Periodicals; 939.4
• DOI: 10.1179/0075891415Z.00000000059
• Languages: German
• ISSNs: 0075-8914

Abstract

<abstract> <title> <x content-type="archive" xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <p>This article considers a monumental architectural limestone block with altar-iconography that was found during the 2012 campaign of the Danish–German North-west Quarter project. The project, which began in 2011, has mapped the highest area within the walled city, the so-called North-west Quarter, which had hitherto remained largely unexplored. The monumental block, which was in secondary use as a late antique oil press, gives new insight into the local building traditions in Gerasa. The authors suggest that this block originally came from a building with a sacred function. Through comparison with other local sanctuaries from the region, as well as from Gerasa itself where the tradition of the horned altar-motif seems to have been flourishing in the Roman period, it is shown that this block might have belonged to a sanctuary dedicated to a deity of a local character.</p> </abstract>