Sanctuary of Agios Lot

The Sanctuary of Agios Lot is located to the southeast of the Dead Sea overlooking the modern town of Safi in Jordan. It is a Byzantine era (5th - 7th Centuries AD) monastic site that consists of a basilical church erected at the entrance to a natural cave.[1] The spot of construction was thought to have been where Lot sought shelter after Sodom was destroyed.[2]

A rock formation nearby venerated as Lot's wife as a pillar of salt

History

Archaeological finds reveal a long-term settlement regime for the cave the sanctuary is built around. Inscriptions on Byzantine mosaics in the sanctuary date to the 7th century, but other archaeological finds in the cave indicate a sizable Early Bronze Age and Middle Bronze Age presence.[3]

World Heritage Status

This site was added to the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List on June 18, 2001 in the Cultural category.[4]

Notes
  1. Negev, A & Shimon Gibson (2005) p 138
  2. Negev, A & Shimon Gibson (2005) p 138
  3. Negev, A & Shimon Gibson (2005) p 138
  4. The Sanctuary of Agios Lot, At Deir 'Ain 'Abata - UNESCO World Heritage Centre

References
  • Negev, A & Shimon Gibson (2005), Archaeological Encyclopedia of the Holy Land, Continuum International Publishing Group. ISBN 0-8264-8571-5

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