Nearly half a century after the last systematic archaeological excavations, archaeologists have returned to the site of St. Andrew in Betiga and rediscovered early Christian mosaics in the trefoil chapel and the central nave of the basilica. The review excavations conducted by the Archaeological Museum of Istria have brought a new perspective on this valuable church and monastic complex near Barbariga, and the site has also been documented using modern laser scanning and photogrammetry methods.
The Archaeological Museum of Istria carried out review archaeological excavations from 25 May to 7 June at the church and monastic complex of St. Andrew in Betiga. The archaeologists' return to this valuable site came nearly 50 years after the Museum's last systematic excavations. The early Christian mosaics in the trefoil chapel and the central nave of the basilica were rediscovered, and following their documentation, conservation and restoration works will follow.
The history of the St. Andrew complex dates back to the early 5th century, when a memorial trefoil chapel was built around the grave of an unknown local saint. During the period from the 5th to the 7th century, a church complex developed, comprising a three-nave basilica, a portico with an atrium and cistern, a baptistery, and a mausoleum, and in the early Middle Ages a monastic community was also active there.
An important part of the research was also the application of modern technologies. Laser scanning and photogrammetry were used to create a 3D model of the site, allowing the complex to be documented in detail before further work on the mosaics continues.
The research in Betiga also marks the beginning of cooperation between the Archaeological Museum of Istria and the Department of Christian Archaeology at the Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg.
The rediscovery of the early Christian mosaics brings back into focus one of the most valuable archaeological complexes in southern Istria and opens the way for further research, documentation, and protection of the site.
The review archaeological excavations were carried out with the participation of Archaeological Museum of Istria curators Emil Kmetič-Marceau and Josip Seličanec.
