BYZANTINE PERIOD IN KEDREAI (SEDIR ISLAND): CHURCHES

Abstract

Although not attested by written sources, the archaeological data clearly indicate that the Christian settlement on the island of Kedreai gained importance in the 5th century AD, when Christianity gained importance in Karia. Even though representing an important Byzantine settlement including a harbour, storage buildings, baths, churches, houses and cisterns, Kedreai does not appear in the bishopric lists. Kedreai has been known for a long time by published materials which give general information about the remains. While the first detailed study by Ruggieri lists the remains of only three churches, a recent investigation of the island in 2008 has revealed five churches and a baptisterium. Four of these churches are situated outside the Hellenistic city walls which surrounds the island. Of the two intraurban churches, one occupies of the site of the sanctuary of Apollon; the second one is located on the northwestern part of the island. Three of the five known churches on the island are basilical and the other two are single nave planned. Due to lacking inscriptions or written documents mentioning the names and dates of these churches, they are named according to their sizes, locations and plans. The three basilical planned churches demonstrate features not only of the Karian but also of the Aegean and Mediterranean region with their architectural, liturgical and decorative elements. Observing the plan typologies, it is possible to date these churches to the 5th and 6th centuries. The second building group on the Island is the single naved halls. Since this building type existed throughout Late Antiquity and was common in the Middle and Late Byzantine period, a reliable dating of the buildings faces serious problems. Since the masonry does not yield data for the dating, other findings belonging to the structures need to be examined to support this data. The baptistery belongs to the same period as the basilical structures according to the location and function of the building, and this idea is supported by the glass lamps found in the remains. Due to lack of architectural and other materials found during the survey, no exact date is suggested for the single naved Isthmus Church of the Island. To appreciate the importance of Kedreai in late antique and byzantine history, future excavations would be desirable.