Jan Bartek – AncientPages.com – It isn’t unusual for archaeologists to uncover submerged historic ruins within the waters of Italy. Nevertheless, these historic constructions are generally not simply discernible. As an illustration, the current discovery of the Nabataean underwater temple underscores how sure historic 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 sequence of geological occasions and the continuing uplift and subsidence of the land. Volcanic exercise on this area has formed its panorama and preserved wealthy archaeological proof beneath the present sea stage.
Throughout 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 a vital position in maritime commerce, particularly in grain distribution. Puteoli’s significance in complicated mercantile networks is mirrored within the format of its storage services. The oldest services, courting from the second to first centuries B.C., are positioned 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 just lately found and examined a submerged Nabataean temple at Puteoli’s port. This discovering is especially distinctive because it represents the one identified Nabataean temple exterior 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 gentle on this fascinating discovery.
The invention types a major a part of the broader mission “Between Land and Sea,” an initiative spearheaded by the Italian Ministry of Tradition and the College of Campania to discover the world’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 historic folks residing in central Italy).
Owing to its strategic location, this port metropolis advanced 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 sudden discovery of a Nabataean temple is especially intriguing, on condition that this web site has predominantly been considered 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 business actions. This integration is demonstrated by the constructing methods and supplies utilized in developing 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 drive of nature.
The development of this sanctuary was attainable 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 Japanese 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 scenario modified dramatically, with Arabia Petraea turning 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 change into a subjugated folks.
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 spiritual 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 major 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, lively volcanic exercise within the area brought on in depth parts of Puteoli to submerge into the ocean.
The research was printed within the journal Antiquity
Written by Jan Bartek – AncientPages.com Employees Author