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Site Maps |
| Area B (Theater Cavea)
In his exploration of Abila in 1888, Gottlieb Schumacher discovered what he identified as a "large theater." In his report he says that the "configuration of the slope was made use of to form the amphitheater, the seats--of which but few remained--were placed on a masoned foundation." The Theater: American Expedition Area B is made up of several fascinating features. A Byzantine basalt street leads the visitor directly in front of the ruins of Area B, all of which are enveloped by the spectacular theater cavea. The American team has primarily concentrated on two features in this area: the theater cavea, and the Roman plaza area just to the north and east of the cavea. Excavation began in Area B during the summer of 1986 under the supervision of Bastiaan van Elderen. Schumacher had first suggested that this area was the location of a Roman theater in 1888, and he reported that he had seen a few seats. Nelson Glueck, during his survey of the area in 1942, concurred with Schumacher's identification of the area as a theater, but he pointed out that much less of it remained, and he did not see any seats. The staff geologist agreed that that area probably was a theater because the shape and angle of the hillside was not natural. |