Eine neu entdeckte byzantinische Kirche in Iznik/Nikaia

Abstract

The town of Iznik lies in the north-west Anatolian province of Bithynia on the eastern shore of the eponymous lake and in antiquity was called Nikaia (Nicaea). During a course on the application of geophysical technology in archaeology in early summer 2008, an open area in the centre of Iznik/Nikaia was surveyed using magnetic, geoelectric and radar technology and in the process a previously unknown Byzantine church was discovered. It lies south-west of Deniz Sokak and probably had the form of a cross-in-square church common in the middle and late Byzantine period. Its orientation follows the Hippodamian grid plan, proving that the street grid was adopted throughout the urban area.