The Rediscovery of a Byzantine Capital, Reused as a Baptismal Font, in the Nativity Church, Bethlehem

A significant archaeological discovery within the Church of the Nativity, Bethlehem, has revealed that a Byzantine capital, originally part of a column, was repurposed as a baptismal font. This finding, unearthed during restoration work in June 2019, provides rare insight into the reuse and adaptation of architectural elements in early Christian contexts. The capital, dating to the late sixth or early seventh century, matches a similar piece preserved in Jerusalem's Islamic Museum on Haram es-Sharif, suggesting a broader pattern of material recycling in Byzantine-era religious structures. Further analysis from August 2019 soundings aims to clarify how and why this transformation occurred, offering new perspectives on the church's historical layers.

Bacci, M. (2019). The Rediscovery of a Byzantine Capital, Reused as a Baptismal Font, in the Nativity Church, Bethlehem. Convivium, 6(2), 122–127. https://doi.org/10.1484/j.convi.4.2019042