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New discoveries, like the discovery of a monastic complex
which is thought almost certainly to be Nikertia (4.5km north-east of
the ancient city), continue to increase our knowledge of this town.
Nikertia was founded about 370 and played an important role in the
spread of Christianity in Northern Syria, and then again in the
following century (paganism having been defeated) in the doctrinal
battles which marked the detachment of Syria from the influence of
Byzantines. The monks of Nikertia founded numerous daughter-houses
throughout the region. Yet the actual site of their headquarters had
been lost. Today the walls of churches, monasteries and their dependent
buildings can once again be seen on the bare plateau. Sarcophagi, door
lintels and a chancel stone have been unearthed, all bearing the
engraved chrism. The archeologists have also discovered a great
olive-press and even olive stones-signs of the past fertility of these
parts where not even stunted bushes grow nowadays.
The discovery of a hoard of 534 gold coins dating from a much later
period has shown that it is likely that the site was still inhabited 45
years after Aphamea had been conquered by the Arabs (636), and that
Byzantine and Christian institutions persisted here into the second half
of the 7th century. |
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