New Study Uncovers Astronomical Significance at Byzantine Church Complex
Utah Valley University Professor Explores Celestial Alignments at Ḥorvat Beit Loya
Orem, UT, June 3, 2024 – A groundbreaking study led by Assistant Professor Brandon R. Ro from the Architecture & Engineering Design Department at Utah Valley University has unveiled fascinating insights into the celestial alignments of the Byzantine church complex at Ḥorvat Beit Loya in Israel. The research blends archaeoastronomy with historical analysis and suggests that the church may have been dedicated to St. James the Apostle based on its alignment with the sunrise on his feast day.
Study Overview:
The study, titled Archaeoastronomy at the Byzantine Church Complex at Ḥorvat Beit Loya, investigates the astronomical orientations of the church to understand its cultural and religious significance. Key findings reveal that the church aligns with the sunrise on April 30th, which corresponds to the feast day of St. James the Apostle according to Byzantine liturgical calendars.
Key Findings:
Astronomical Alignment: The church’s orientation towards the sunrise on April 30th suggests a deliberate architectural alignment with the feast day of St. James the Apostle.
Cultural and Religious Significance: The alignment indicates a potential dedication of the church to St. James, enhancing our understanding of the relationship between architecture, astronomy, and religious practices in Byzantine Christianity.
Iconographic Evidence: The intricate floor mosaics depicting fishermen apostles, along with the church’s proximity to significant pilgrimage routes and sacred sites, further support the dedication theory.
Conference Presentation and Recognition:
This study was presented at the 2024 Intermountain Engineering, Technology and Computing (IETC) Conference held at Utah State University in Logan, Utah on May 13-14, 2024. It was also nominated as one of 15 finalists for the best paper award, underscoring its significance and the impact of its findings in the academic community.
Broader Implications:
Prof. Ro’s research highlights the interdisciplinary nature of archaeoastronomy which combines anthropology, archaeology, history, religious studies, architecture, and astronomy to uncover the metaphysical meanings behind ancient structures. This study not only sheds light on the architectural practices of the Byzantine era but also contributes to our understanding of how early Christian communities intertwined their faith with celestial phenomena.
Research Context:
Ḥorvat Beit Loya, also known as Khirbet Beit Lei (of Lehi), is an archaeological site located southwest of Jerusalem. The site, active from the 3rd century BCE to the 14th century CE, features a large Byzantine church complex discovered in the 1980s. The complex includes a basilica, mosaic floors, and auxiliary structures, indicating its significance as a religious and communal center during the Byzantine period.
About Brandon Ro:
Brandon R. Ro, AIA, NCARB, ICAA, is an esteemed researcher, architect, and professor at Utah Valley University. He specializes in architectural design, theory, and history. His work integrates architectural design with historical and cultural analysis, offering new perspectives on ancient structures.
For More Information:
For additional details about the study or to schedule an interview with Brandon R. Ro, please contact:
Architecture & Engineering Design Department Utah Valley University Orem, UT, USA Email: brandon.ro@uvu.edu
Full Paper & Citation
Citation—Brandon R. Ro, “Archaeoastronomy at the Byzantine Church Complex at Ḥorvat Beit Loya.” In Proceedings of the 2024 Intermountain Engineering, Technology and Computing (IETC) Conference. Logan, UT: IEEE, 2024.
Abstract— This study investigates the astronomical alignments of the Byzantine church complex at Ḥorvat Beit Loya in Israel to understand its orientation and cultural significance. The site’s historical context, proximity to pilgrimage routes, and church’s function as a Christian center are outlined. Through archaeoastronomical research, potential alignments with celestial phenomena and religious festivals are identified. The findings suggest a significant alignment with the sunrise on the feast day of St. James the Apostle which indicates the possibility of the church being dedicated to him. The study reveals the intricate relationship between architecture, astronomy, iconography, and culture in Byzantine Christianity.
Keywords—Byzantine architecture, astronomical orientation, celestial alignments, Early Christian church, religious festivals
Acknowledgment—I would like to thank Alan Rudd from the Beit Lehi Foundation, Oren Gutfeld and Michal Haber from Hebrew University, and Darin Taylor, Robert Price, Michael Harper, Emily Hedrick, and Paul Cheney from Utah Valley University. Each provided additional resources, support, critical feedback, and encouragement on various aspects of this project. I am also grateful to my UVU students who helped with various aspects of this larger project: Jayne Lee (field measurements/drawings on site), Thomas Cryer, Joseph Laudie, students in ARC 4110 class (digital reconstructions of the church complex), Yan-Ho Ng, Kent Miller (orientation study of churches in Israel/Palestine), and Hailey Packard (ritual study of baptismal rite).
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