The temple is distinguished by its rectangular design and contains two rooms from which there is access to the internal roads of the “Vicus Lartidianos” area, which was designated for foreigners engaged in trade.
This discovery off the coast of Puteoli, or modern Pozzuoli, is the first known Nabataean temple outside the Middle East, the nomadic Arab trading civilization that came from Jordan.
The Nabataean civilization is famous for “The Treasury”, which is the archaeological structure engraved in the rocks, dating back to the Nabataean civilization in Jordan, and located in the archaeological reserve in the city of Petra in the south of the country, where the movie “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade” was filmed (the third part of the film series Indiana Jones) in 1989.
The scientists stated in a study published in the journal Antiquity: “The presence of a Nabataean sanctuary within the port area confirms the presence of a community from that region participating in commercial activities in Puteoli.” They added, “Building the sanctuary was possible when the Nabataeans enjoyed the freedom and opportunities provided by friendship with Rome and the independence of their motherland.”
Archaeologists identified two underwater chambers, Chamber A and Chamber B, and found that they were built with locally sourced materials.
Each room features Roman-style walls and marble panels engraved with the Latin inscription Dusari sacrum, which means “dedicated to Dushara” (meaning Lord of the Mountains), the main deity in ancient Nabataean religion.
Room A features two white marble altars, one of which once contained sacred stones used in Nabatean worship within eight rectangular cavities.
Room B also includes white marble panels bearing the same Latin inscription, and the altar had three rectangular cavities.
The underwater structure is located about 150 feet from the coast of Pozzuoli, which was a major port for Roman ships transporting trade goods from various parts of the empire.
But centuries of volcanic activity in the area covered the ancient temple in layers of magma until archaeologists rediscovered it while exploring Pozzuoli Bay in search of long-lost treasures.
The discovery was made in 2023 during an underwater archaeological documentation of the port of Pozzuoli, but the team spent the past year further excavations around the underwater temple.
It is believed that the temple was built during the Nabataean period of prosperity and independence, when they were one of the main trading partners of the Romans.
Scientists estimate that the temple was built during the reign of Augustus (31 BC – 14 AD) or Trajan (98 – 117 AD).
The Nabataean Kingdom was an independent political entity from the middle of the third century BC until it was annexed to the Roman Empire in 106 AD.
This ancient Arab civilization controlled thriving trade routes, which transported luxury goods from the Indian Ocean via desert caravans to the Mediterranean, and also stopped at Pozzuoli to promote trade relations.
The Nabataeans practiced a pagan religion influenced by the cultures of the Greeks and Egyptians, as they had many gods who were shaped into sacred stones, and who sat inside the cavities of the altars.
The Nabataeans founded a settlement in Puteoli about 2,000 years ago, and built the largest commercial port in the Roman Mediterranean region.
During its peak, the Nabataean Empire extended across the Middle East to include Jordan, Palestine, Egypt, Syria, and Saudi Arabia.
Things changed radically for the Nabataeans when the Romans took control of Petra, the Nabataean capital.
It is worth noting that a “previously unknown” tomb was recently discovered under the “Treasury” in Petra, containing 12 bodies and artifacts.
Source: Daily Mail
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Interview with Dr. Maria DeLuca, Archaeologist and Lead Researcher on the Nabataean Temple Discovery
Editor: Thank you for joining us today, Dr. DeLuca. Can you tell us a bit about the significance of this recent discovery off the coast of Pozzuoli?
Dr. DeLuca: Absolutely, and thank you for having me. The discovery of this Nabataean temple is groundbreaking not just because it’s the first known Nabataean temple outside the Middle East, but it also highlights the presence of a Nabataean community in a key Roman port engaged in trade. This area, called “Vicus Lartidianos,” was historically significant for foreign traders, and this find provides direct evidence of the Nabataeans’ commercial activities in the Roman world.
Editor: It sounds like the architecture of the temple itself is particularly interesting. What can you tell us about its design?
Dr. DeLuca: The temple features a rectangular design with two distinct chambers—Chamber A and Chamber B—constructed with locally sourced materials. Each chamber has Roman-style walls and elaborate marble panels, which provide insights into the cultural fusion of the time. The Latin inscription “Dusari sacrum” reveals much about their worship practices, as it is dedicated to Dushara, the primary deity of the Nabataeans.
Editor: That’s fascinating. Were there any artifacts found within the temple that give us more context regarding the Nabataeans and their rituals?
Dr. DeLuca: Yes, in Chamber A, we found two white marble altars, which are particularly significant. One altar contained the remains of sacred stones used in rituals, positioned within eight rectangular cavities. Similarly, Chamber B also housed an altar, though with three cavities. These findings indicate the sanctuary’s role in religious practices and the importance of ritualistic offerings to their deity.
Editor: How does this discovery change our understanding of the Nabataean civilization and its relationship with the Roman Empire?
Dr. DeLuca: The presence of the temple in such an important port town suggests that the Nabataeans enjoyed a favorable relationship with the Romans, enabling them to establish a commercial presence far from their homeland. This indicates not only their trading prowess but also their cultural adaptability. The fact that they could construct a temple dedicated to their god in a Roman port speaks volumes about their agency in a time of significant geopolitical changes.
Editor: Given the historical context, what does this temple reveal about trade dynamics in the ancient Mediterranean?
Dr. DeLuca: It underscores the interconnectedness of cultures in the ancient world. Puteoli was a vital hub for goods coming from various parts of the Roman Empire, and the existence of a Nabataean temple here illustrates how trade routes facilitated the exchange of not just goods, but also cultural and religious practices. Such discoveries allow us to better understand how communities engaged with one another across vast distances.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. DeLuca, for sharing your insights. It’s incredible to see how ancient civilizations continue to inform our present understanding of history.
Dr. DeLuca: Thank you! It’s an exciting time for archaeology, and discoveries like this remind us of the rich tapestry of human history.
Dr. DeLuca: The presence of the temple within a bustling Roman port like Pozzuoli reshapes our understanding of the Nabataean civilization. It shows that they not only thrived as an independent trading entity but also maintained significant cultural and religious practices while coexisting with the Romans. The friendship between the Nabataeans and Rome allowed them to establish a lasting presence in this vital trade hub, which was instrumental for the exchange of goods and cultural influences across the Mediterranean.
Editor: Considering the significance of this discovery, what do you foresee as the next steps in your research on this site?
Dr. DeLuca: Our next steps involve extensive archaeological excavation and documentation of the site. We hope to uncover more artifacts that can provide further insights into Nabataean daily life, their trade networks, and interactions with other cultures. Additionally, studying the temple’s construction and the materials used will also help us understand more about their architectural styles and practices. We aim to piece together a more comprehensive picture of their civilization and its influence in this region during that time period.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. DeLuca, for your time and insights on this important discovery. We look forward to following your team’s progress on this fascinating project.
Dr. DeLuca: Thank you for having me!
