Liturgical furnishing of the great basilica at Patara

The aim of this thesis is to examine the stone liturgical furnishings found at the Great Basilica at Patara, obtained during the excavations undertaken between 2013 and 2017. For that purpose, the materials, measurements, and decoration programme are recorded and analysed. This is followed by a comparative analysis between the liturgical furnishings at Patara and similar examples found in Byzantine art. Finally, dating and restitution is suggested for the liturgical furnishings. With its dimensions of 61x32 m, the Great Basilica at Patara is one of the largest churches known in Lycia. The building has a transept plan, and comprises of three naves, a narthex, and an atrium. According to the architectural evidence, the basilica can be dated to the first half of the 5th century AD. During the excavations, 187 stone liturgical remains have been uncovered. The altar, the ciborium and the parapets have been investigated and their restitution has been completed. The fragments of the parapets, made of monolithic limestone and edged in quadrivial trapezoid form, can be seen in the northern and southern naves of the basilica. Since no similar examples have been found in Byzantine architecture, the term "Monolithic Panel" has been proposed as the new definition of such types. The investigation has been completed by establishing chronological relations between the repair/renovation works in various phases of the building and the furnishings. The examination of the decorations, materials, measurements, and the comparative analysis between buildings, concludes that the remains of the liturgical furnishing of the Great Basilica at Patara, date mostly to the 5th and 6th centuries.