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Great Churches of the World

An Archaeological Survey of Religious Structures

By , About.com Guide

Archaeology and religion have a long history together--many of the earliest investigators into the archaeological past were priests and priest-scholars, and much of what science is today grew out of the religious movement. Hard to believe these days, I must admit.

But over the years, archaeologists have continued our fascination with the scientific pieces of religious belief, this fascination taking many different flavors and investigating most of the religions of the world. This photo gallery is an examination of a few of the more interesting churches in the world ('churches' including synagogues, mosques, temples, and shrines) and why archaeologists are interested in them.

More text-based information on churches and archaeology has been assembled in the inventively named Churches and Archaeology archive.
Images 13-21 of 21
Triumphal Cross, St. Jacobi Cathedral, LubeckTriumphal Cross, St. Jacobi Cathedral, LubeckFresco in St. Priscilla's Catacombs, RomeFresco in St. Priscilla's Catacombs, RomeSt. Peter's Basilica, Rome, at nightSt. Peter's Basilica, RomeSt. Paul's Cathedral, London, EnglandSt. Paul's Cathedral, London, England
Hagia Sophia, Istanbul, TurkeyHagia Sophia, TurkeyAquileia Basilica (Italy)Basilica of Aquileia, Italy Aachen Cathedral Aachen Cathedral, GermanyMosaic at Beth Alpha SynagogueBeit Alpha, Israel
Deir el-Bahri, Hatshepsut's Temple in EgyptTemple of Deir el-Bahri

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