Basilicas with T-shaped Piers

The significance of this study emerged during work on the dissertation topic "Basilicas with Cruciform Piers: Structure and Proportions." Typologically, the Tshaped pier in horizontal section is the closest to the cruciform pier. Insights gained from the proportional analysis of early Christian Georgian basilicas – specifically those of Dzveli Shuamta, Vazisubani, Gurjaani, and Khirsa - necessitated a reassessment of the chronology of these monuments. T-shaped piers are found in several Georgian and Armenian basilicas from the Late Antique and early medieval periods. Thus, in general, T-shaped piers are a distinctive feature of early Christian basilicas in Transcaucasia. This article examines the comparison between Georgian basilicas with cruciform and T-shaped piers, their chronology, and the relationship between Georgian and Armenian T-shaped-pier basilicas. This research PHDF-23-051 has been supported by Shota Rustaveli National Science Foundation of Georgia (SRNSFG).