Overview

Bibliography

Nitl is the home of the ecclesiastical complex of Saint Serguis, consisting of a double church and a chapel belonging to the Banu Ghassan, Arab foederati (mercenaries) of the Byzantine empire. Nitl is located approximately 10 kilometers from Madaba, and was perhaps the Ghassanid headquarters in the provincia Arabia. The church complex was built in the first half of the sixth century and continued to function until the eighth or ninth century. During the Ottoman period, the ruins of the complex were incorporated into other buildings. A mosque was also built to the south of the churches. A few modern buildings (early twentieth century) were also built over or adjacent to the complex. All the later buildings now lie in ruin.

The ruins of the church complex were noted as early as A. Heber-Percy in 1896, and by many other explorers since then. Excavation of the site, however, did not begin until 1984. The excavations were conducted by M. Piccirillo for the Franciscan Archaeological Institute on Mt. Nebo. After a sudden interruption that lasted several years, they were resumed in 1996 and continued until 1999. Subsequently, the site suffered from vandalism, which is noted in a short excavation campaign in 2006.

The double church consists of a single nave north and south church, sharing a common narthex and courtyard, with a small chapel attached to the south. Mosaic inscriptions on the church floors provide invaluable information on the Banu Ghassan that is not attested in the literary sources. In addition to the patron Saint Serguis – a military saint appropriate to the Banu Ghassan – other persons attested are: Ammonis the mosaicist, the priest Saola, John the Adiutor, the phylarch Tha'laba, and Areta son of al-Areta.

The archaeological strata uncovered at the site, as illustrated in the site plan, date to the following periods:

	Modern Period
	Ottoman Period
	Byzantine Period