Sur le chemin de Jérusalem : étude archéologique et iconographique de mosaïques paléochrétiennes de la Syrie du Nord

"Sur le chemin de Jerusalem" is the comprehensive examination of three unknown mosaic pavements, exhibited in the Museum of Maaret-en-Nouman in Northern Syria. A comparison with other known documents brings together elements of evidence to their provenance, to the type of building they had adorned, and to the underlying links between architectural organization and mosaic ornamental decoration in an ecclesiastic environment. The picture catalogue detailing the size and composition of each of the three mosaics dates the iconographic material from the third quarter of the fourth century to the first half of the fifth century, that period in time which witnessed the Christianization of the North Syrian countryside and a great development of Christian pilgrimages to the Holy Sites of Palestine.The mosaic of Temanaa features the cosmographic representations of late antique Near East. With the mosaic of Beseqla, we find the earliest dated example of a decorated pavement of a paleochristian baptistery. Tell Aar is the fragmentary mosaic of an unusually early example of a five-aisle transept basilica housing apostolic remains.The exceptional quality of these documents demonstrates how close attention to material history can effectively increase our knowledge of the growth and expansion of early Christianity