Jāmiʿ al-Sittīn—An Early Islamic Mosque near Tel Shiloh

Abstract

The article deals with the history of Jāmiʿh al-Sittīn, an Early Islamic building located south of Tel Shiloh. Based on an analysis of archaeological finds, architectural comparanda and Medieval travelers’ literature, we conclude that in the Early Islamic period, probably by the time of the Abbasid dynasty, a mosque was erected here; somewhat later in the same period, sloping walls were added in order to reinforce the building, possibly to adjust for the dome that was affixed to the roof. In the Mamluk period a vaulted room and courtyard were appended, and the building continued to be in use during the Ottoman period. We identify this building with the ‘Mosque of the Sak na’ (or ‘Dome of the Sak na’, ‘Domus Dei’) which is known from written sources.