An early Christian baptistry, covered by layers of earth for 1500 years was uncovered recently by members of the Harvard-Cornell archeological expedition digging in Western Turkey.

Once a Roman shop in the ancient city of Sardis, the baptistry is dominated by two crosses which cover earlier pagan inscriptions on a marble basin. The buildings also contained a marble baptismal font, coins from the Byzantine and Roman Empires, and a torso of Athena.

Leaders of the joint expedition emphasized the importance of the discovery, the most important one this year. Archeologists pinpointed the city, the former capital of the fabled Croesus, only last fall.

The "House of Bronzes," a luxurious residence of an early Christian, is receiving close study by members of the group. They have uncovered the sepulchre of the owner of the residence, in addition to large amounts of furniture and ornaments. One of the prize finds was a marble table with legs shaped like lions.