The Ridge Church The Blue Chapel Ridge Church (left)

Figure 3.54

View of the Ridge Church to the east with the Phase III floors; photo by Neal Bierling, Phoenix Data Systems

Bikai et al (2020)

Restored Blue Chapel (right)

Figure 2.89

View to the southeast; photo by Neil Bierling

Bikai et al (2020)


Introduction

The Blue Chapel (Building 2 of the Lower Sector) is located partly up the slope of a ridge in Wadi Musa behind the Petra Church. The Ridge Church in Sector 1 is located at the top of that slope. The ACOR carried out excavations and restoration works over twelve seasons between 1994 and 2002. Patricia M. Bikai, then assistant director of ACOR, was the overall project director, and Virginia Egan was project assistant director. The North Ridge Project continued under the direction of Megan Perry and S. Thomas Parker, focusing on areas east and north of the churches ( ACOR Jordan website).The Blue Chapel is so-named because of its blue granite columns.

Maps and Plans Chronology
Phasing

Phase Period Dates Notes
I Nabatean 1st century BCE to 1st century CE Petra's North Ridge contained a segment of the 1st c. B.C. to 1st c. A.D. occupation within the Nabataean capital. The upper sector of the ridge provided virtually unimpeded views of both the city center and the city's back entrance through Wadi Abu `Ullayqa. Because of this strategic importance, the Nabataean military may have utilized the top of the ridge and built a structure at its highest point. - Bikai et al (2020:40)
II Late Roman 1st to mid 4th century CE First to mid-4th-c. A.D. occupation on Petra's North Ridge remains surprisingly enigmatic. A number of walls post-dating the Phase I architecture and in use during Phase III could have been constructed during this phase. Likewise, as noted earlier, some Phase I walls in area 23 and in areas 1, 3, 4, and 28 may have been constructed during this period. In many cases, establishing a definite date of many post-Phase I and pre-Phase III North Ridge features remains difficult. - Bikai et al (2020:41)
...
This sequence of construction is what was observed in the Petra Church (Fiema et al. 2001: 14). Walls that eventually were incorporated into the church complex were first constructed during this phase. Similar to the North Ridge, almost no artifacts or occupation layers attributed to this phase were identified. Fiema also suggests the scant evidence for Late Roman activities to the clearing and subsequent restoration of the area, presumably instigated by destruction related to the A.D. 363 earthquake (Fiema et al. 2001: 18). - Bikai et al (2020:46)
III Early Byzantine The Early Byzantine period on the North Ridge saw the conversion of the Nabataean and Late Roman structures at the top of the ridge into the Ridge Church and significant modification to the buildings that would eventually become the Blue Chapel complex (fig. 3.48
Figure 3.48

Plan of Phase III

Bikai et al (2020)
). Around the time of the construction of the church, a small installation was constructed in area 34 to the south of the church. 2 - Bikai et al (2020:47)
...
The Early Byzantine period on the North Ridge heralded the emergence of Christianity as the major imperial religion. In conjunction with this change, the Nabataean buildings at the top of the North Ridge were converted into the Ridge Church complex that included a small building honoring a prominent individual within Petra (figs. 3.100-101). This individual, a member of the military, was commemorated for protecting the city. The information provided by the inscription in the tomb provides a further link between the North Ridge and the military and may suggest that the military constructed the Ridge Church - Bikai et al (2020:57-58)
...
The mid-4th to early 5th-c. construction boom across the western sector of the North Ridge, including the area of the Petra Church, could have been a response to structural damage from the substantive A.D. 363 earthquake. Fiema (Fiema et al. 2001: 18) suggests that the Late Roman complexes in the Petra Church area were robbed of desirable architectural elements and backfilled to prepare the area for new (post-A.D. 363) construction. While no similar evidence for extensive back-filling of Late Roman structures exists on the North Ridge, an architectural disjuncture does appear after the Late Roman phase. Only a few earlier walls are incorporated into Early Byzantine, and eventually, Late Byzantine structures. Presuming the A.D. 363 earthquake caused this shift, architectural modifications on the North Ridge during the Early Byzantine phase likely postdate the mid-4th century - Bikai et al (2020:57-58)
IV Late Byzantine mid 5th - 6th centuries Expansion of the ecclesiastical buildings on Petra's North Ridge continued during the Late Byzantine period, from the mid-5th-6th centuries (fig. 3.102
Figure 3.102

Phase IV Plan

Bikai et al (2020)
). The Ridge Church and the Blue Chapel were renovated during the mid-6th c. with construction of elevated bemas and modification of the apses. The religious visibility of the North Ridge after initial construction of the Ridge Church increased substantially with the construction of the Petra Church lower on the slope in the mid-5th c. (Fiema et al. 2001: 53). The Petra Church construction seems also to correspond with the initial building of the church and chapel at the monastery on Jebel Haroun (Mikkola et al. 2008: 116). The mid-6th c. saw renovation of both of these ecclesiastical structures (Fiema et al. 2001: 77, 80, 91; Mikkola et al. 2008: 133), along with renovation of the Ridge Church and the Blue Chapel - Bikai et al (2020:59)
...
Lower Sector [i.e. Blue Chapel]

Wooden benches were built along the northern, western, and southern perimeter of the chapel. Small rectangular niches for attaching the bench were identified in the walls and floor (figs. 4.44-46, 51); one of the wall niches contained remnants of a peg used to attach the bench to the wall. 14C dating of that piece suggests the bench was constructed between CAL A.D. 530 and 640 [95.4% (2a) calibrated age ranges, relative area under distribution 0.978 (Stuiver and Reimer 1993)]. Another sample of charcoal from locus 1148, probably from the burning of church furnishings by later occupants (figs. 3.134-35), dates to CAL A.D. 527-651 [95.4% (26) calibrated age ranges, relative area under distribution 0.801 (Stuiver and Reimer 1993)], approximately the same date range as the bench peg recovered from within the Blue Chapel.

The nature of the architectural renovations of the Blue Chapel point to a mid-6th-c. date for these modifications. - Bikai et al (2020:63)
...
The Late Byzantine period saw a peak in ecclesiastical activity on the North Ridge, and perhaps Petra as a whole. In the early part of this phase, the Blue Chapel building 2 was converted into a triapsidal structure, which included construction of an elevated bema, an elaborate ambo, a thronos, a rectangular synthronon, and wooden benches along the aisles. 14C analysis of remnants of the bench installation and of the architectural features of the church imply this conversion occurred in the mid-6th c. A.D. This is concurrent with renovations of the two other ecclesiastical structures on the North Ridge: the Ridge Church and the Petra Church. The Ridge Church now contained floor and wall mosaics, an elevated bema, and marble furnishings. - Bikai et al (2020:64)
V - 1 Early Islamic - Subphase 1 6th - 8th centuries CE The Early Islamic period on the North Ridge is categorized by occupation of the former ecclesiastical structures by 6th—8th-c. residents of Petra, ending with extensive earthquake destruction in the 8th c. A.D. - Bikai et al (2020:64)

...

Subphase 1

At some point in the 7th c. A.D., the Ridge Church and Blue Chapel complex on the North Ridge were abandoned, as was the Petra Church (fig. 3.121
Figure 3.121

Architecture from Phase V; Subphase 1

Bikai et al (2020)
). In most cases, a thin, ca. 10-30 cm layer of sand built up within the buildings' rooms, although some areas saw what appears to be almost immediate occupation by the remaining residents of Petra.

Upper Sector [Ridge Church]

The Ridge Church and surrounding area on top of the ridge were left abandoned during this period. Sandy soil layer locus 607 built up within the plaza in front of the Ridge Church and sandy deposits loci 900 and 901 filled in the water channel (locus 902) cut into the plaza. Compact silt and clay also covered the stairs leading up to the Ridge Church plaza (loci 930, 931, and 1223).

Lower Sector [Blue Chapel]

Building 1

Building 1 saw a short period of abandonment in many sectors, resulting in the deposition of sandy soil layers locus 967 in area 14, and the lower levels of locus 1245 in area 15, locus 1236 in area 16, and locus 1244 in area 18. These semi-compact deposits contained few artifacts. Areas 11 and 17, however, contained evidence for domestic occupation directly upon the floor level (see fig. 3.39). These layers contain 6th—8th-c. A.D. storage jars and other vessels and cooking debris. Therefore these rooms either may have seen the earliest inhabitation of this period in the complex, or Subphase 2 residents cleared the floor of Subphase 1 deposits before occupying these areas.

Building 2

The rooms within building 2 displayed little activity during this subphase of the Early Islamic period besides accumulation of raw materials such as marble.
...
Several explanations can be proposed for the abandonment of these structures; these will be discussed in Chapter 9. The date of the abandonment, however, remains speculative. Ceramic lamps from these strata date no later than the 1st-3rd centuries A.D. (Barrett 2008) and clearly are secondary deposits. Perhaps destruction of the Petra Church by fire in the late 6th c. made the Blue Chapel complex unnecessary. Local officials did not attempt to rebuild the Petra Church (Fiema et al. 2001: 94), which may indicate a decrease in Petra's population due to the dwindling economic base and the gradual collapse of the infrastructure, particularly the water system. Before the Blue Chapel complex was abandoned, the structure was cleared of portable artifacts except for some glass objects left in area 20. This period of abandonment could have lasted at most 100 years before the post-Byzantine period residents of Petra began to occupy the structures, as described below [Early Islamic Subphase 2]. - Bikai et al (2020:64-65)
V - 2 Early Islamic - Subphase 2 6th - 8th centuries CE The Early Islamic period on the North Ridge is categorized by occupation of the former ecclesiastical structures by 6th—8th-c. residents of Petra, ending with extensive earthquake destruction in the 8th c. A.D. - Bikai et al (2020:64)

...

Subphase 2

After a short period of abandonment of the North Ridge during Early Islamic Subphase 1, many Petra residents made use of the empty structures for domestic and other activities (fig. 3.123
Figure 3.123

Architecture from Phase V; Subphase 2

Bikai et al (2020)
). The post-Byzantine occupants of the North Ridge left behind thick layers of occupational debris and concentrations of burnt soil, likely from cooking fires, within the structures. Additionally, they explored the hillside for tombs to loot, even pulling up the floor slabs within the Byzantine-period structures in their search. Tombs opened by this population soon filled with occupational debris and architectural fragments from the nearby structures. - Bikai et al (2020:66)

...

Lower Sector - Building 2 - Ashy Deposits beneath fallen columns

The Blue Chapel also contained much evidence of human domestic activity, such as burning and ash from small cooking fires, animal bones, and storage and cooking vessels (fig. 3.134
Figure 3.134

Overall view of the ashy Phase VI, Subphase 2 occupation layer in Blue Chapel during excavation

Bikai et al (2020)
). ... The large amount of cooking occurring in this room suggests the roof had partially collapsed, providing some ventilation. Loci 1064, 1065, 1091, and upper levels of 1055 and lower levels of 1050 in the central aisle, loci 1089, 1091, and 1148 in the southern aisle, loci 1091 and 1178 in the northern aisle, the upper levels of loci 1094 and 1183 in the bema area, and upper levels of locus 1172 under column drums that fell during Early Islamic Phase 3 all contained a large amount of occupational debris
(fig. 3.135
Figure 3.135

Ash layer under fallen column drum 6; below are fragments of the ambo and part of a chancel post (Chapter 5: nos. 15-16)

Bikai et al (2020)
and 3.136
Figure 3.136

Locus 1148, under column 2

Bikai et al (2020)
-see also fig. 3.122
Figure 3.122

North section of collapse and debris in the Blue Chapel (building 2, probes 5 and 7)

Bikai et al (2020)
).

...

Occupation of at least part of the Blue Chapel complex likely ceased due to earthquake-related structural instability and collapse in the mid-8th century. A date provided by 14C analysis of an animal bone recovered from immediately underneath a fallen column (drum no. 2; fig. 3.136
Figure 3.136

Locus 1148, under column 2

Bikai et al (2020)
) in the Blue Chapel indicates that the animal died between A.D. 658 and 782 CAL [95.4% (26) calibrated age ranges, relative area under distribution 0.942 (Stuiver and Reimer 1993)]. The column presumably fell shortly after this animal's death and consumption by the buildings' occupants. Two earthquakes during this period affected the Petra region, according to earthquake chronologies constructed by Russell (1985) and Guidoboni (1994): the A.D. 672 earthquake that impacted Gaza, Ashkelon, and Ramle along the Mediterranean coast [JW: No such earthquake is listed in the catalogue of Guidoboni et al (1994 references at end of chapter indicate that Guidoboni (1994) does refer to Guidoboni et al (1994)], and the massive A.D. 748/9 seismic event(s) that affected northeastern Egypt through northern Mesopotamia. Evidence from the Blue Chapel suggests that the A.D. 748/9 earthquake, which strongly affected Petra, likely was responsible for initial collapse of the columns. - Bikai et al (2020:68-70)
V - 3 Early Islamic - Subphase 3 6th - 8th centuries CE [JW: and maybe later] The Early Islamic period on the North Ridge is categorized by occupation of the former ecclesiastical structures by 6th—8th-c. residents of Petra, ending with extensive earthquake destruction in the 8th c. A.D. - Bikai et al (2020:64)

...

SUBPHASE 3

From the 8th C. A.D. on, the abandoned structures suffered extensive damage from repeated earthquakes
(fig. 3.137
Figure 3.137

Architecture from Phase V, Subphase 3

Bikai et al (2020)
). The North Ridge appears to have experienced some human activity, but this presence is difficult to date.

UPPER SECTOR

Unfortunately, extensive shifting of debris to clear the plateaus for agriculture during the Late Islamic/Modem phase inhibits understanding the sequence of building deterioration on the North Ridge. As a result, almost no evidence of this subphase exists at the top of the North Ridge, except for a small area of compact sand and building debris in area 33 (loci 904, 925, and 1205) and in areas 6 and 7 (locus 1221). Some of the debris that collected in the Ridge Church courtyard (area 3) attributed to Phase VI might date to this phase as well (e.g., loci 201, 207, 209, 307=418).

LOWER SECTOR

Building 1

Some evidence of this subphase exists within in the area of building 1 despite Phase VI preparation of this plateau for agriculture. Locus 1108 from area 11, loci 969, 1004, 1009, and 1010 from area 14, loci 1016, 1113, 1118, and the upper levels of 1245 in area 15, loci 1231 and 1233 in area 16, loci 1034, 1036, 1043, 1044, and 1118 in area 17, and loci 1016, 1017, 1018, 1024, 1025, 1242, and 1243 from area 18 all contained tumble from post-earthquake building collapse (fig. 3.139
Figure 3.139

Earthquake debris in area 18

Bikai et al (2020)
). In addition, soil layers loci 961 and 962 built up above the "street" area north of building 1's wall 909 (fig. 3.138
Figure 3.138

Area 33 with street material up to and over wall 909; north to the left

Bikai et al (2020)
).

Building 2

Building 2 contains the most evidence for Early Islamic Sub-phase 3 building collapse on the North Ridge. Thick (1-1.5 m) layers of building tumble were discovered in the stairway in area 19 (loci 1052, 1057, 1071, and the upper levels of 1114, and 1115); the entry hall in area 24 (loci 1109 and the upper levels of 1130; fig. 3.140); area 20 (loci 973, 1027, and 1177); the atrium (area 23, the lower level of loci 1037 and 1125 and loci 1039, 1041, 1140, 1145, and 1165 in the southern half of the room, the middle levels of locus 1132 and loci 1173, 1176, 1189, 1190, 1201, 1207, 1220, 1225, and 1228 in the northern half of the room); and the Blue Chapel (area 25, the upper levels of loci 1048, 1050, and 1087 and loci 1062, 1063, and 1088 in the central aisle, the upper levels of locus 1087 and loci 1088, 1103, and 1153 in the northern aisle, loci 1087, 1088, and 1147 in the southern aisle, and locus 1088 in the bema). Many architectural features appeared to have fallen in one destructive episode, such as the cornice along the western and northern walls of the entry hall, as well as the vault of the area (figs. 3.141
Figure 3.141

Earthquake collapse of cornice and vault stones in area 24

Bikai et al (2020)
and 3.142
Figure 3.142

The vault stones in area 24 were repurposed decorative limestone architectural elements. The side exposed in the photo would have been hidden as they served as the back side of the vault stones. The undersides of the stones were smoothed in a curvilinear fashion.

Bikai et al (2020)
), and the columns in the Blue Chapel
(figs. 3.143
Figure 3.143

Overview of fallen columns in the Blue Chapel during excavation; view to the west

Bikai et al (2020)
Figure 3.143

Overview of fallen columns in the Blue Chapel during excavation; view to the east

Bikai et al (2020)
3.144
Figure 3.144

Damage to the bema floor in the Blue Chapel due to the collapse of column drum 3, the topmost drum of the northeast column; view to the east

Bikai et al (2020)
Figure 3.144

Damage to the bema floor in the Blue Chapel due to the collapse of column drum 3, the topmost drum of the northeast column; view to the south

Bikai et al (2020)
3.145
Figure 3.145

Drum 2 with percussion fractures around its edge, caused by the column drums rocking during an earthquake

Bikai et al (2020)
and 3.146
Figure 3.146

Column drum 9 and the northwest base

Bikai et al (2020)
). Additionally, clear evidence for collapse of the second story was discovered within area 20. A number of floor slabs probably from the upper floor were noted ca. 0.50 m from the room's floor level in loci 973, 1177, and the upper levels of 1030.

SUMMARY

At some point after the North Ridge structures were abandoned during the late 6th or early 7th c., they began to be used for domestic activities. Occupants selected these areas for cooking and food preparation, leaving behind numerous broken 6th-8th-c. water storage jars and other ceramic vessels, animal bones, and burnt debris. Residents slightly modified the structures for their new purpose, including constructing a kitchen area in the Ridge Church complex and blocking off rooms in building 1 of the Blue Chapel complex. The Blue Chapel complex residents found little in the way of built-in furnishings in the abandoned structure and did not construct anything other than the walls mentioned above, unlike in the Petra Church (Fiema et al. 2001: 95). These individuals also discovered that many of the 1st c. A.D. tombs underlying the structures contained a wealth of raw materials, and Tomb 2, directly to the south of the Ridge Church, was opened and rifled during this period. - Bikai et al (2020:70-71)
VI Late Islamic to Modern post 8th century CE Post-8th-c. human activity on the North Ridge is rather ephemeral and not easily datable. There is nothing indicating a permanent population until the modern era. The evidence for post-8th-c. occupation consists mainly of agricultural terracing and possibly the construction of retaining walls within the Blue Chapel complex and Petra Church (fig. 3.147
Figure 3.147

Architecture from Phase VI

Bikai et al (2020)
). A small series of terraces also was constructed within areas 6, 7, 8, and 9 above the Nabataean and Byzantine staircase. Additionally, building rubble was cleared from an area demarcated by the still-standing columns within the central portion of the Atrium in building 2, possibly for agricultural purposes. These activities culminated with clearing of the North Ridge and the area of building 1 for placement of Bedouin tents and agricultural fields and the construction of terraces in the modern era. - Bikai et al (2020:73)

...

SUMMARY

The Blue Chapel and Ridge Church were not likely reoccupied extensively following the repeated rounds of earthquake-related collapse. Evidence for human activity on the North Ridge from this phase includes agricultural terracing and the construction of walls within area 23.

Establishing the date when these activities occurred, however, remains difficult. Few diagnostic ceramics have been recovered from these strata, and extensive clearing of the area during the past 200 years has obliterated the stratigraphic integrity of many areas. Apparently, occupants of the North Ridge either lived elsewhere or led a primarily nomadic lifestyle, as little evidence for domestic occupation was recovered, with the exception of ashy debris in areas 7, 9, and 33. Extensive occupation of the North Ridge presumably resumed in the 19th c. with the construction of small windbreaks and agricultural terraces, in addition to extensive clearing of plateaus created by the ancient structures for Bedouin tents or agricultural plots. - Bikai et al (2020:75)

363 CE earthquake

No evidence found. Bikai et al (2020:41) surmise that cleaning and restoration after the 363 CE earthquake may have removed evidence.

Late 6th century Earthquake

Jones (2021:Table 1) notes that early 7th century Phase V.1 abandonment reported by Perry in Bikai et al (2020:58,64) could have been caused by a late 6th century earthquake.

mid 8th century CE earthquake

Maps and Plans

  • Wall and feature locus numbers of Ridge Church and Blue Chapel from Bikai, et al (2020)
    Figure 3.1

    Wall and feature locus numbers; Ridge Church to the north and the Courtyard and Blue Chapel to the south

    Bikai et al (2020)
  • Architecture from Phase V; Subphase 2 from Bikai, et al (2020)
    Figure 3.123

    Architecture from Phase V; Subphase 2

    Bikai et al (2020)
  • Architecture from Phase V; Subphase 3 from Bikai, et al (2020)
    Figure 3.137

    Architecture from Phase V; Subphase 3

    Bikai et al (2020)
Archaeoseismic evidence comes from the Blue Chapel (Lower Sector Building 2).

Perry in Bikai et al (2020:69-70) reports the following:
Occupation of at least part of the Blue Chapel complex likely ceased due to earthquake-related structural instability and collapse in the mid-8th century. A date provided by 14C analysis of an animal bone recovered from immediately underneath a fallen column (drum no. 2; fig. 3.136
Figure 3.136

Locus 1148, under column 2

Bikai et al (2020)
) in the Blue Chapel indicates that the animal died between A.D. 658 and 782 CAL [95.4% (26) calibrated age ranges, relative area under distribution 0.942 (Stuiver and Reimer 1993)]. The column presumably fell shortly after this animal's death and consumption by the buildings' occupants. Two earthquakes during this period affected the Petra region, according to earthquake chronologies constructed by Russell (1985) and Guidoboni (1994): the A.D. 672 earthquake that impacted Gaza, Ashkelon, and Ramle along the Mediterranean coast [JW: No such earthquake is listed in the catalogue of Guidoboni et al (1994 references at end of chapter indicate that Guidoboni (1994) does refer to Guidoboni et al (1994)], and the massive A.D. 748/9 seismic event(s) that affected northeastern Egypt through northern Mesopotamia. Evidence from the Blue Chapel suggests that the A.D. 748/9 earthquake, which strongly affected Petra, likely was responsible for initial collapse of the columns.
Perry in Bikai et al (2020:470) noted the following:
Occupation within the Ridge Church and the Blue Chapel complex halted during the 8th c.: in the Blue Chapel complex, this occurred concurrent with or immediately before significant collapse of part of these structures. The pattern of collapse, particularly evidence for the dramatic tumble of the columns in the Blue Chapel, would point to a seismic event as the cause (figs. 3.140-46; 9.9). Ceramic evidence and a 14C date of carbonized animal bone found directly under one of the columns (fig. 3.136) implicates the sizeable earthquake of A.D. 748/749 that has been documented extensively in the region. The Petra Church suffered a similar fate, marked by collapsed stone in the interior of the basilica, the atrium, and surrounding rooms from a half a meter to three meters deep on top of occupational debris (Fiema 2001: 105), which Fiema (2001: 115-18) attributes to an A.D. 672 seismic event. This was followed by further collapse in the church and in the baptistery from the A.D. 748/749 earthquake. The Jabal Haroun church and chapel experienced significant destruction also attributed to a mid- to late-7th c. earthquake (Mikkola et al. 2008: 136). These structures were rebuilt, only to be damaged again in the 748/749 earthquake (Mikkola et al. 2008: 148), after which only the chapel was used for ecclesiastical purposes (Mikkola et al. 2008: 157). No evidence for an earlier phase of destruction dating to the late 7th c. was discovered in the Blue Chapel complex. However, continuous seismic events after the 8th c. caused additional damage to the abandoned, collapsed Blue Chapel complex structures. This damage included the collapse of a cornice along the western and northern walls of the Blue Chapel entry hall and the collapse of part of the upper story (see figs. 3.141-42).
Perry in Bikai et al (2020:70-71) identified archaeoseismic evidence from "one apparent destructive earthquake" in Phase V subphase 3 deposits in Building 2 of the Lower Sector (i.e. the Blue Chapel). This "one apparent destructive earthquake" appears to be the mid 8th century CE earthquake.
LOWER SECTOR

Building 2

Building 2 contains the most evidence for Early Islamic Sub-phase 3 building collapse on the North Ridge. Thick (1-1.5 m) layers of building tumble were discovered in the stairway in area 19 (loci 1052, 1057, 1071, and the upper levels of 1114, and 1115); the entry hall in area 24 (loci 1109 and the upper levels of 1130; fig. 3.140
Figure 3.140

Rock tumble in area 24; view to the north from area 19; the lintel of door 1073 is visible just above center

Bikai et al (2020)
); area 20 (loci 973, 1027, and 1177); the atrium (area 23, the lower level of loci 1037 and 1125 and loci 1039, 1041, 1140, 1145, and 1165 in the southern half of the room, the middle levels of locus 1132 and loci 1173, 1176, 1189, 1190, 1201, 1207, 1220, 1225, and 1228 in the northern half of the room); and the Blue Chapel (area 25, the upper levels of loci 1048, 1050, and 1087 and loci 1062, 1063, and 1088 in the central aisle, the upper levels of locus 1087 and loci 1088, 1103, and 1153 in the northern aisle, loci 1087, 1088, and 1147 in the southern aisle, and locus 1088 in the bema). Many architectural features appeared to have fallen in one destructive episode, such as the cornice along the western and northern walls of the entry hall, as well as the vault of the area
(figs. 3.141
Figure 3.141

Earthquake collapse of cornice and vault stones in area 24

Bikai et al (2020)
and 3.142
Figure 3.142

The vault stones in area 24 were repurposed decorative limestone architectural elements. The side exposed in the photo would have been hidden as they served as the back side of the vault stones. The undersides of the stones were smoothed in a curvilinear fashion.

Bikai et al (2020)
), and the columns in the Blue Chapel
(figs. 3.143
Figure 3.143

Overview of fallen columns in the Blue Chapel during excavation; view to the west

Bikai et al (2020)
Figure 3.143

Overview of fallen columns in the Blue Chapel during excavation; view to the east

Bikai et al (2020)
3.144
Figure 3.144

Damage to the bema floor in the Blue Chapel due to the collapse of column drum 3, the topmost drum of the northeast column; view to the east

Bikai et al (2020)
Figure 3.144

Damage to the bema floor in the Blue Chapel due to the collapse of column drum 3, the topmost drum of the northeast column; view to the south

Bikai et al (2020)
3.145
Figure 3.145

Drum 2 with percussion fractures around its edge, caused by the column drums rocking during an earthquake

Bikai et al (2020)
and 3.146
Figure 3.146

Column drum 9 and the northwest base

Bikai et al (2020)
). Additionally, clear evidence for collapse of the second story was discovered within area 20. A number of floor slabs probably from the upper floor were noted ca. 0.50 m from the room's floor level in loci 973, 1177, and the upper levels of 1030.

Later undated earthquake(s)

Maps and Plans

  • Wall and feature locus numbers of Ridge Church and Blue Chapel from Bikai, et al (2020)
    Figure 3.1

    Wall and feature locus numbers; Ridge Church to the north and the Courtyard and Blue Chapel to the south

    Bikai et al (2020)
  • Architecture from Phase V; Subphase 3 from Bikai, et al (2020)
    Figure 3.137

    Architecture from Phase V; Subphase 3

    Bikai et al (2020)
Perry in Bikai et al (2020:70) noted that from the 8th c. A.D. on, the abandoned structures suffered extensive damage from repeated earthquakes. Perry in Bikai et al (2020:70) also noted that locis from areas 11, 14, 15, 17, and 18 in Building 1 of the Lower Sector all contained tumble from post-earthquake building collapse (fig. 3.139
Figure 3.139

Earthquake debris in area 18

Bikai et al (2020)
).

Seismic Effects
Late 6th century Earthquake

Maps and Plans

  • Wall and feature locus numbers of Ridge Church and Blue Chapel from Bikai, et al (2020)
    Figure 3.1

    Wall and feature locus numbers; Ridge Church to the north and the Courtyard and Blue Chapel to the south

    Bikai et al (2020)
  • Architecture from Phase V; Subphase 1 from Bikai, et al (2020)
    Figure 3.121

    Architecture from Phase V; Subphase 1

    Bikai et al (2020)
Jones (2021:Table 1) notes that early 7th century Phase V.1 abandonment reported by Perry in Bikai et al (2020:58,64) could have been caused by a late 6th century earthquake.

Collapse Feature Photo/Drawing Notes
Collapse and Debris
Figure 3.122

North section of collapse and debris in the Blue Chapel (building 2, probes 5 and 7)

Bikai et al (2020)
PHASE V. EARLY ISLAMIC

SUBPHASE 1

LOWER SECTOR

Building 2 (Blue Chapel)

The rooms within building 2 displayed little activity during this subphase of the Early Islamic period besides accumulation of raw materials such as marble. Sandy soil layers loci 1066, 1067, 1068, and 1076 built up within the stairway in area 19, locus 1134 within the entry hall, the lower portions of loci 1191, 1045 and 1165 within the atrium, and the lower portions of loci 1030 and 1180 within area 20. Decorative elements, likely from the chapel, were found in these layers, such as a polycandelon fragment in the entry hall (NPR catalogue no. 142), and a complete glass lamp (NPR catalogue no. 146) and a small iron cross (NPR catalogue no. 147) in area 20. Loose sand (locus 1171) also clogged the drain under the atrium (locus 1185), and silt (locus 1182) filled the drainage channel (locus 1184) leading south from the atrium. In addition, sandy subsoil covered the aisles, bema, and apses of the Blue Chapel (loci 1055, 1069, 1070, 1074 and 1099.03 within the central aisle, locus 1090 within the southern aisle, loci 1099.14 and 1179, within the northern aisle, locus 1164 in the southern apse area, locus 1094 above the elevated bema, and loci 1087, 1099.02, 1183, and the lower portion of locus 1172 in scattered areas of the chapel; see fig. 3.122
Figure 3.122

North section of collapse and debris in the Blue Chapel (building 2, probes 5 and 7)

Bikai et al (2020)
). Finally, sand was deposited to the south of the Blue Chapel in area 21 (locus 1248). The abandonment layers from the Blue Chapel and area 20 contained quantities of broken glass from the chandelier pieces and other glass vessels being stored in this room. It probably was during this period that some individuals ransacked the Blue Chapel, for many pulpit and chancel screen fragments were discovered in these strata.

Several explanations can be proposed for the abandonment of these structures; these will be discussed in Chapter 9. The date of the abandonment, however, remains speculative. Ceramic lamps from these strata date no later than the 1st-3rd centuries A.D. (Barrett 2008) and clearly are secondary deposits. Perhaps destruction of the Petra Church by fire in the late 6th c. made the Blue Chapel complex unnecessary. Local officials did not attempt to rebuild the Petra Church (Fiema et al. 2001: 94), which may indicate a decrease in Petra's population due to the dwindling economic base and the gradual collapse of the infrastructure, particularly the water system. Before the Blue Chapel complex was abandoned, the structure was cleared of portable artifacts except for some glass objects left in area 20. This period of abandonment could have lasted at most 100 years before the post-Byzantine period residents of Petra began to occupy the structures, as described below. - Perry in Bikai et al (2020:64)

POST BYZANTINE PETRA

The ecclesiastical presence at Petra did not last beyond the late 6th c. or early 7th c. A.D., although the monastic complex on Jabal Haroun continued to have a sacred function into the late 8th to early 9th century (Mikkola et al. 2008: 159). Only a couple of decades after the first series of renovations in the Petra Church, another set of decorative changes was being installed in the late 6th century. Unfortunately, a fire destroyed the structure (and resulted in the carbonization of the Petra papyrus archive stored in a room adjacent to the sanctuary), and the church was never rebuilt (Fiema 2001: 94). In the next few years, the Ridge Church and the Blue Chapel complex also were cleared of most liturgical and other material objects and left abandoned. This period of inactivity is marked by a thin layer of sterile windblown sand that covered many of the floors in these structures. The reason for the abandonment of these two other ecclesiastical structures may be linked to the destruction of the Petra Church, which provided the impetus to shut down formal ecclesiastical presence in Petra. In addition, evidence from the church and chapel on Jabal Haroun show a period of significant destruction and fire, which is attributed to earthquakes ca. 551 and 559 (Mikkola et al. 2008: 119). Could this tremor have destabilized the other ecclesiastical structures within Petra in the mid-6th c., resulting in their abandonment? This would provide even less reason for recovery of the Petra Church after its fire. Unlike the churches within Petra, the complex on Jabal Haroun, important due to its association with Aaron/Haroun, was rebuilt (Mikkola et al. 2008: 119).

The Ridge Church and Blue Chapel complex remained largely intact after their abandonment and provided shelter for domestic activities beginning in the late 6th to early 7th centuries. Some structures were modified for this purpose, such as the construction of the kitchen installation in the Ridge Church plaza (area 26) and a small table and bench installation in area 28 near the Ridge Church. Similar modifications were made to the Petra Church during the same period (Fiema 2001: 95, 98) and in the main church on Jabal Haroun after it went out of ecclesiastical use in the mid-8th century (Mikkola et al. 2008: 149-50). - Perry in Bikai et al (2020:468-469)

mid 8th century CE earthquake

Maps and Plans

  • Wall and feature locus numbers of Ridge Church and Blue Chapel from Bikai, et al (2020)
    Figure 3.1

    Wall and feature locus numbers; Ridge Church to the north and the Courtyard and Blue Chapel to the south

    Bikai et al (2020)
  • Architecture from Phase V; Subphase 2 from Bikai, et al (2020)
    Figure 3.123

    Architecture from Phase V; Subphase 2

    Bikai et al (2020)
  • Architecture from Phase V; Subphase 3 from Bikai, et al (2020)
    Figure 3.137

    Architecture from Phase V; Subphase 3

    Bikai et al (2020)
Archaeoseismic evidence all comes from the Blue Chapel (Lower Sector Building 2).
Collapse Feature Photo Notes
Fallen Column
Figure 3.136

Locus 1148, under column 2

Bikai et al (2020)
Blue Chapel - a fallen column (drum no. 2)
Fallen Columns View to the West
Figure 3.143

Overview of fallen columns in the Blue Chapel during excavation; view to the west

Bikai et al (2020)

View to the East
Figure 3.143

Overview of fallen columns in the Blue Chapel during excavation; view to the east

Bikai et al (2020)
Blue Chapel
Damage to the Bema Floor View to the East
Figure 3.144

Damage to the bema floor in the Blue Chapel due to the collapse of column drum 3, the topmost drum of the northeast column; view to the east

Bikai et al (2020)

View to the South
Figure 3.144

Damage to the bema floor in the Blue Chapel due to the collapse of column drum 3, the topmost drum of the northeast column; left, view to the south

Bikai et al (2020)
Blue Chapel
Percussion Fractures on Column Drum
Figure 3.145

Drum 2 with percussion fractures around its edge, caused by the column drums rocking during an earthquake

Bikai et al (2020)
Blue Chapel
Column drum 9 and the northwest base
Figure 3.146

Column drum 9 and the northwest base

Bikai et al (2020)
Blue Chapel
Orientation and identification of Fallen Columns
Figure 4.46

Plan of the proper as excavated, showing the fallen columns, the holes in the floor for the benches, and the holes for the altar posts; drawing by Patricia M Bikai

Bikai et al (2020)
Drawing showing orientation of Fallen Columns in the Blue Chapel as well as their numerical identification (1-11)
Collapse of cornice and vault stones
Figure 3.141

Earthquake collapse of cornice and vault stones in area 24

Bikai et al (2020)
Blue Chapel - Area 24 - along the western and northern walls of the entry hall
Collapse of Vault
Figure 3.142

The vault stones in area 24 were repurposed decorative limestone architectural elements. The side exposed in the photo would have been hidden as they served as the back side of the vault stones. The undersides of the stones were smoothed in a curvilinear fashion.

Bikai et al (2020)
Blue Chapel - Area 24 - area along the western and northern walls of the entry hall
Second Storey Collapse n/a Blue Chapel - Area 20 - clear evidence for collapse of the second story was discovered within area 20. A number of floor slabs probably from the upper floor were noted ca. 0.50 m from the room's floor level in loci 973, 1177, and the upper levels of 1030. - Perry in Bikai et al (2020:70)
Rock Tumble
Figure 3.140

Rock tumble in area 24; view to the north from area 19; the lintel of door 1073 is visible just above center

Bikai et al (2020)
Blue Chapel - Area 24

Later undated earthquakes

Maps and Plans

  • Wall and feature locus numbers of Ridge Church and Blue Chapel from Bikai, et al (2020)
    Figure 3.1

    Wall and feature locus numbers; Ridge Church to the north and the Courtyard and Blue Chapel to the south

    Bikai et al (2020)
  • Architecture from Phase V; Subphase 3 from Bikai, et al (2020)
    Figure 3.137

    Architecture from Phase V; Subphase 3

    Bikai et al (2020)
None of the post 8th century archaeoseismic evidence was dated.
Collapse Feature Photo Notes
Earthquake debris
Figure 3.139

Earthquake debris in area 18

Bikai et al (2020)
locis from areas 11, 14, 15, 17, and 18 in Building 1 of the Lower Sector all contained tumble from post-earthquake building collapse. - Perry in Bikai et al (2020:70)

Intensity Estimates
mid 8th century CE earthquake

Archaeoseismic evidence all comes from the Blue Chapel (Lower Sector Building 2).
Effect Description Intensity
Fallen Columns Blue Chapel - a fallen column (drum no. 2; fig. 3.136
Figure 3.136

Locus 1148, under column 2

Bikai et al (2020)
)
View to the West
Figure 3.143

Overview of fallen columns in the Blue Chapel during excavation; view to the west

Bikai et al (2020)

View to the East
Figure 3.143

Overview of fallen columns in the Blue Chapel during excavation; view to the east

Bikai et al (2020)

Damage to Bema floor from collapsed columns - View to the East -
Figure 3.144

Damage to the bema floor in the Blue Chapel due to the collapse of column drum 3, the topmost drum of the northeast column; view to the east

Bikai et al (2020)

Damage to Bema floor from collapsed columns - View to the East -
Figure 3.144

Damage to the bema floor in the Blue Chapel due to the collapse of column drum 3, the topmost drum of the northeast column; left, view to the south

Bikai et al (2020)

Percussion Fractures on Column Drum -
Figure 3.145

Drum 2 with percussion fractures around its edge, caused by the column drums rocking during an earthquake

Bikai et al (2020)

Column drum 9 and the northwest base -
Figure 3.146

Column drum 9 and the northwest base

Bikai et al (2020)
VI +
Collapsed Vault Collapse of cornice and vault stones -
Figure 3.141

Earthquake collapse of cornice and vault stones in area 24

Bikai et al (2020)

Collapsed Vault Stones -
Figure 3.142

The vault stones in area 24 were repurposed decorative limestone architectural elements. The side exposed in the photo would have been hidden as they served as the back side of the vault stones. The undersides of the stones were smoothed in a curvilinear fashion.

Bikai et al (2020)
VIII +
Collapsed Walls Second storey failure indicates that the first storey walls collapsed - clear evidence for collapse of the second story was discovered within area 20. A number of floor slabs probably from the upper floor were noted ca. 0.50 m from the room's floor level in loci 973, 1177, and the upper levels of 1030. - Perry in Bikai et al (2020:70) VIII +
The archeoseismic evidence requires a minimum Intensity of VIII (8) when using the Earthquake Archeological Effects chart of Rodríguez-Pascua et al (2013: 221-224).

Notes and Further Reading
References

Bikai, P., et al. (2020). Petra: The North Ridge, American Center of Oriental Research.

Fiema, Z. T., et al. (2001). The Petra Church, American Center of Oriental Research.

Bikai, Patricia M. 2004. “Petra: North Ridge Project.” Studies in the History and Archaeology of Jordan 8: 59-63

Bikai, Patricia M. 2002. “North Ridge Project.” ACOR Newsletter 14(1): 1–3.

Bikai, P.M. and Perry, M.A. 2001. “Petra North Ridge Tombs 1 and 2: Preliminary Report.” Bulletin of the American Schools of Oriental Research 324: 59–78.

Morris, M. 2018. “Conservation and Restoration of the Petra North Ridge Aphrodite Statues.” ACOR Newsletter 30(2): 9.

Petra: The North Ridge at ACOR

Petra North Ridge Project