Dieter Vieweger and Shimon Gibson (eds.), 'The Archaeology and History of the Church of the Redeemer and the Muristan in Jerusalem', (Oxford: Archaeopress, 2016), pp. 193-220
This paper reassesses some of the established views on the location, patient capacity, and the in... more This paper reassesses some of the established views on the location, patient capacity, and the internal layout of the hospital of St John of Jerusalem - the first and most famous public hospital of the Knights Hospitaller. It is informed by contemporary eyewitness accounts, surviving administrative regulations of the hospital and the results of the recent archaeological excavations undertaken inside the former Hospitaller compound in the Old City of Jerusalem in spring 2013.
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Papers by Amit Reem
value to the underground built heritage (UBH). Thanks to the application of digital technologies and a specific workflow, this paper will suggest how graffiti can be regarded as an additional and relevant element of creating connections and strengthening the site’s values, bridging the past and
present communities. Through the critical discussion of two case studies—the monastery of Ayia Napa (Cyprus) and the Saint Helena chapel in the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem—the authors want to achieve two main goals: first, they want to highlight the sociocultural value and raise awareness
about the presence and significance of historic graffiti. In the second instance, they wish to illustrate how graffiti can be an additional agent for the sustainable development, valorization, and promotion
of the UBH.
The Crusader remains unearthed during past excavations included massive walls, stumps of piers, and an impressive cistern. However, one notable discovery in the 2019 excavation was a pit containing more than twenty finely cut stone ashlars and architectural elements that are dated to the Crusader period. In this article, an analysis of these items is presented, aiming to trace their origins.
By combining the historical sources with a comprehensive reevaluation of the archaeological evidence from the Crusader period at the site, a cautious suggestion is put forward: the items may have originated from a church or chapel that once stood in that very location. There is a strong likelihood that Motza could be the Emmaus of the Crusaders, which was a significant pilgrimage place during the 12th century.
In addition to other decorative elements which were discovered, including examples of miscellaneous Romanesque sculpture and remains of further sculptural elements, which were purposefully obliterated in a later period, further investigation undertaken in other rooms of the Holy Compound revealed the remains of the former central nave of the Crusader basilica. These findings allow the authors to argue with certainty that the characteristic delicate rib vaults of the Cenacle could not have been built later than the twelfth century. Historical sources, including direct evidence for French royal patronage of the Abbey of Mount Sion, further suggest that Gothic elements of the Cenacle could have been constructed up to a generation before the earliest dating offered by scholars so far. But even if we assume a more traditional dating in the later 1170s' and 1180s', the Cenacle on Mount Sion remains a sign of the close links between Crusader Jerusalem and some of the major centres of early Gothic architecture in twelfth century Europe.
Books by Amit Reem
The remains of an imposing wall were found – probably a city wall of the First Temple period, dating to the 8th century BCE, as well as a large portion of the First Wall – Jerusalem’s Hasmonean-era fortification. Other noteworthy discoveries include retaining walls and a sewage system from the time of Herod the Great that were part of Herod’s Upper City palace; medieval installations, and a section of the curtain wall from the Crusader/Ayyubid period.
The Qishle excavations have opened an extraordinary window onto underground Jerusalem, revealing a striking example of the ancient city’s stratigraphy and allowing us a glimpse of the fascinating history of ancient Jerusalem.
About the author
Amit Re’em is a senior archaeologist at the Israel Antiquities Authority, currently serving as Jerusalem district archeologist. For more than 27 years, he has been exploring, researching and writing about ancient Jerusalem. His excavations include King David’s Tomb on Mount Zion, the Muristan, the Holy Sepulchre, sites on the Mount of Olives, Lion’s Gate, and many others. His main research interests are Crusader and medieval Jerusalem.
value to the underground built heritage (UBH). Thanks to the application of digital technologies and a specific workflow, this paper will suggest how graffiti can be regarded as an additional and relevant element of creating connections and strengthening the site’s values, bridging the past and
present communities. Through the critical discussion of two case studies—the monastery of Ayia Napa (Cyprus) and the Saint Helena chapel in the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem—the authors want to achieve two main goals: first, they want to highlight the sociocultural value and raise awareness
about the presence and significance of historic graffiti. In the second instance, they wish to illustrate how graffiti can be an additional agent for the sustainable development, valorization, and promotion
of the UBH.
The Crusader remains unearthed during past excavations included massive walls, stumps of piers, and an impressive cistern. However, one notable discovery in the 2019 excavation was a pit containing more than twenty finely cut stone ashlars and architectural elements that are dated to the Crusader period. In this article, an analysis of these items is presented, aiming to trace their origins.
By combining the historical sources with a comprehensive reevaluation of the archaeological evidence from the Crusader period at the site, a cautious suggestion is put forward: the items may have originated from a church or chapel that once stood in that very location. There is a strong likelihood that Motza could be the Emmaus of the Crusaders, which was a significant pilgrimage place during the 12th century.
In addition to other decorative elements which were discovered, including examples of miscellaneous Romanesque sculpture and remains of further sculptural elements, which were purposefully obliterated in a later period, further investigation undertaken in other rooms of the Holy Compound revealed the remains of the former central nave of the Crusader basilica. These findings allow the authors to argue with certainty that the characteristic delicate rib vaults of the Cenacle could not have been built later than the twelfth century. Historical sources, including direct evidence for French royal patronage of the Abbey of Mount Sion, further suggest that Gothic elements of the Cenacle could have been constructed up to a generation before the earliest dating offered by scholars so far. But even if we assume a more traditional dating in the later 1170s' and 1180s', the Cenacle on Mount Sion remains a sign of the close links between Crusader Jerusalem and some of the major centres of early Gothic architecture in twelfth century Europe.
The remains of an imposing wall were found – probably a city wall of the First Temple period, dating to the 8th century BCE, as well as a large portion of the First Wall – Jerusalem’s Hasmonean-era fortification. Other noteworthy discoveries include retaining walls and a sewage system from the time of Herod the Great that were part of Herod’s Upper City palace; medieval installations, and a section of the curtain wall from the Crusader/Ayyubid period.
The Qishle excavations have opened an extraordinary window onto underground Jerusalem, revealing a striking example of the ancient city’s stratigraphy and allowing us a glimpse of the fascinating history of ancient Jerusalem.
About the author
Amit Re’em is a senior archaeologist at the Israel Antiquities Authority, currently serving as Jerusalem district archeologist. For more than 27 years, he has been exploring, researching and writing about ancient Jerusalem. His excavations include King David’s Tomb on Mount Zion, the Muristan, the Holy Sepulchre, sites on the Mount of Olives, Lion’s Gate, and many others. His main research interests are Crusader and medieval Jerusalem.