Polish Archaeology in the Mediterranean (16.2004(2005))

KAFTOUN

LEBANON

and OY on the right. (Maximum width
1.30 m, maximum height 0.80 m.)
The fragments likely belong to the same
composition, a scene of the Annunciation,
but more of the vault needs to be uncovered
to understand the relation between the
figures.
2. Two fragments of paintings on the
left and right side of the wall above the
arch of the apse, but below the vault. Still
not cleaned, they should nonetheless be con-
sidered as the lower parts of the above-de-
scribed figures preserved above the vault,
the Archangel Gabriel on the left and the
Virgin Mary on the right.
3. Upper part of the apse in the aisle
above the cornice. Deesis — Christ as Panto-
crator enthroned, the Book of the Gospel
held open in his lap, right hand raised in
blessing. On his right, a standing Mother
of God, on his left, Saint John the Baptist.
A figure of a Seraph holding the labarum
visible between Christ and the Mother of
God. Greek inscription partly preserved on
the pages of the book in Christ's lap, another
one to the right of Saint John the Baptist.
(Maximum width 3.60 m, maximum height
2.10 m).
4. North wall of the nave, paintings on
the cornice and below [Fig. 3]. Originally,
both walls of the nave bore murals, includ-
ing an inscription in Arabic running along
the cornice from right to left, some scenes
and a few single figures of saints or angels,
all placed within border frames of deep
claret color. For the moment, there are three
fragments of painted plaster known from
the northern wall. First from the west is
a small fragment of Arabic inscription on the
cornice, approximately midway along the
length (maximum width 0.775 m, maxi-
mum height 0.245 m).
Between the above fragment and the end
of the wall, a bigger fragment preserving

part of the inscription in Arabic on the
cornice, a medallion with the bust of an
angel, and a scene of what was likely a Com-
munion of the Apostles. The latter consists of
seven standing robed figures with halos
around their heads, facing the first figure
from the east, identified as Christ dispen-
sing communion. Three Syriac inscriptions
preserved above the heads of three of the
figures. (Maximum width 3.83 m, maxi-
mum height 1.18 cm.)
A third, smaller fragment, situated be-
low the above-described second fragment
(between the end of the nave arch and the
end of the wall close to the apse). Two frag-
mentary standing figures: a winged angel
(on the left) and saint Laurentios (on the
right); between them an inscription in
Greek. (Maximum width 0.67 m, maxi-
mum height 1.07 cm).
5. South wall of nave, just below the
cornice (opposite the Communion of Apostles).
Two fragments preserved, presumably a con-
tinuation of the Communion of Apostles scene,
including Christ and six other figures, most
likely the Apostles. Christ depicted
standing to left; behind him, IC in Greek
and a fragment of ciborium (?). (Maximum
width 0.48 m, maximum height 0.52 m).
On the other, bigger fragment, outlines
of five standing figures facing Christ.
Inscriptions in Syriac visible above their
heads. (Maximum width 0.71 m, maximum
height 0.70 m).
6. Inner surfaces of the arches and pil-
lars (north and south aisle). Traces of
murals have been revealed in probes in five
spots. All that can be said before the frag-
ments are cleaned is that a standing figure
can be traced on one of the pillars in the
south aisle.
7. Other small fragments of decoration,
including a small part of the Arabic in-
scription on the cornice in the main apse.

449