The provided text focuses on the Fafertin Church, a significant fourth-century Christian basilica located in the North Syrian Limestone Massif, often referred to as the "Dead Cities." This region, characterized by its well-preserved abandoned settlements, offers crucial insights into Late Antique society. The church at Fafertin is internationally important due to its precise dating to 372 AD—an exceptionally early date for a Christian basilica—established by a contemporary Greek inscription. The document comprehensively analyzes the church's architecture, epigraphy, and historical context, drawing primarily on archaeological surveys conducted before 2010, particularly the meticulous work of Howard Crosby Butler in 1905, which is vital given the structure's subsequent deterioration. It highlights Fafertin as an archetype of the early Syrian basilica, reflecting the region's prosperity, rapid Christianization, and the development of distinct liturgical practices that integrated Christ-centric symbolism with the veneration of martyrs.
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