Jan Bartek – AncientPages.com – It isn’t unusual for archaeologists to uncover submerged historical ruins within the waters of Italy. Nevertheless, these historical constructions are typically not simply discernible. As an illustration, the latest discovery of the Nabataean underwater temple underscores how sure historical ruins are located at depths that render them undetectable from aerial statement.
Submerged warehouses within the ripa Puteolana. Credit score: M. Stefanile et al., Antiquity
The Phlaegrean coast close to Naples, Italy, has been considerably influenced by a collection of geological occasions and the continued uplift and subsidence of the land. Volcanic exercise on this area has formed its panorama and preserved wealthy archaeological proof beneath the present sea degree.
In the course of the Augustan period (31 B.C.-A.D. 14), this space was a first-rate instance of city planning and architectural improvement inside a bustling port district that performed an important position in maritime commerce, particularly in grain distribution. Puteoli’s significance in complicated mercantile networks is mirrored within the structure of its storage amenities. The oldest amenities, courting from the second to first centuries B.C., are situated in Rione Terra, whereas newer ones from the Augustan period are distributed all through town close to the port and main roadways.
Nabataean temple: a) altar A1; b) altar A2; c) slab L1; d) slab L4. Credit score: M. Stefanile et al., Antiquity
Researchers have not too long ago found and examined a submerged Nabataean temple at Puteoli’s port. This discovering is especially distinctive because it represents the one identified Nabataean temple outdoors of Nabataea, which lies between the Arabian and Sinai Peninsulas. Final yr, scientists found an amazing submerged ancient temple with marble altars at the site, and the brand new research sheds extra mild on this fascinating discovery.
The invention varieties a big a part of the broader challenge “Between Land and Sea,” an initiative spearheaded by the Italian Ministry of Tradition and the College of Campania to discover the realm’s underwater treasures. Puteoli, initially established as a Greek colony named Dicaearchia within the fifth century BC, was subsequently annexed by Rome following the First Samnite Battle in 343–341 BC (the Samnites being an historical individuals residing in central Italy).
Owing to its strategic location, this port metropolis developed right into a pivotal commerce hub the place items from throughout the Roman world converged. Notably, grain shipments from Alexandria in Egypt have been very important for sustaining the empire. The surprising discovery of a Nabataean temple is especially intriguing, on condition that this web site has predominantly been thought to be a Roman settlement.
The presence of a Nabataean sanctuary inside the port space clearly signifies {that a} neighborhood from that area actively participated in Puteoli’s industrial actions. This integration is demonstrated by the constructing strategies and supplies utilized in setting up the temple, in addition to the selection to make use of Latin for inscriptions devoted to their supreme deity, Dushara, lord of the mountains and germinating pressure of nature.
The development of this sanctuary was doable throughout a interval when the Nabataeans loved each pleasant relations with Rome and independence of their homeland. This period, which spanned from Augustus to Trajan (AD 98–117), was marked by vital wealth accumulation for the Nabataeans. They have been deeply concerned in Mediterranean commerce, controlling Jap luxurious items visitors from the Indian Ocean alongside desert caravan routes to Gaza’s port and onward to Rome, doubtless by Alexandria and positively by Puteoli.
Orthophoto of the ripa Puteolana. Credit score: M. Stefanile et al., Antiquity
Nevertheless, beneath Trajan’s rule, this favorable state of affairs modified dramatically, with Arabia Petraea changing into a Roman province. This improvement had vital penalties: Rome imposed its authority and authorized framework whereas integrating commerce routes right into a state-controlled community, leaving little room for initiatives by what had turn into a subjugated individuals.
Students have decided that the temple is comprised of two rooms, Room A and Room B. In Room A, two white marble altars have been found, with the bigger altar that includes eight rectangular holes thought to have held sacred stones utilized by the Nabataeans of their non secular practices. Moreover, a considerable marble block bears the Latin inscription “Dusari sacrum,” signifying that the temple was devoted to Dushara, the principal deity of Nabatean worship.
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Puteoli served as a big port for a lot of centuries however suffered assaults by Germanic tribes in 410, 455, and 545. These invasions led to its decline and eventual disrepair. In subsequent centuries, energetic volcanic exercise within the area triggered intensive parts of Puteoli to submerge into the ocean.
The research was revealed within the journal Antiquity
Written by Jan Bartek – AncientPages.com Employees Author