| As this brief report on the state of research and the
preservation of the building may indicate, a thorough archaeological
examination, documentation, and analysis of the church of Hagia Sophia
at Vize has become a pressing issue. Given the importance of the church
and its precarious state of preservation, a joint archaeological project
has been established by Holger A. Klein of Columbia University and
Franz Alto Bauer of the Deutsches Archäologisches Institut in Istanbul
in 2003. Initial funding for the project was provided by the Department
of Art History and Archaeology at Columbia University and the German
Archaeological Institute in Istanbul. The main goals for the first
field work campaign, which took place in July 2003, was to examine
the fabric of the building, conduct a thorough photographic survey,
establish a catalogue of surviving spolia, and provide accurate plans
and sections for the church
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The principal investigators of the project are currently in the
process of re-applying with the Turkish authorities for permission
to continue last year's survey and to conduct limited archaeological
examinations outside the church. If granted permission, new work
will consist of soundings in two areas west of the narthex and one
area east of the apse. As the earlier ecclesiastical structure and
its relationship with the later church have not yet been properly
studied, it is hoped that the original floor level of this church
as well as its northern and southern extension will be determined.
It is further hoped that limited excavation in this area will clarify
the original entrance situation to the Byzantine church.
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