 |
 |
|
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. 
 (click on images to enlarge)
So far, archaeologists have found evidence of a Roman theater in every Decapolis city. The absence of a Roman theater at Abila would be highly unusual. A theater likely stood at Area B, but because the Byzantines and Umayyads rebuilt the area, much of the evidence has been removed. The American team excavates with confidence that the eyewitness testimonials and interpretations of Schumacher and Glueck are accurate, yet they also dig with a sober spade, knowing that the theater furniture mentioned by Schumacher has probably been plundered and/or reused by others for building materials, which is not uncommon. It is possible that the Romans built a theater into the hillside with a limestone street running in front. Later the Byzantines closed the theater and constructed a church on the same spot using the stones of the former theater. This assured that the area would never again serve as a theater. The Byzantines then constructed a basalt road in front of the church and over the Roman limestone pavement. 
 (click on images to enlarge)
Basalt Road In front of the theater cavea there is a well-preserved Byzantine basalt road with curbstones. This basalt road was evidently part of an auxiliary decumanus that branched off from the main decumanus east-west street that ran from the Roman bridge on the east up to the western vault, over which the cardo maximus street ran north-south. Roman Complex While exposing more of the mosaic floor located just to the north of the cavea and adjoining the north side of the Byzantine street, the excavators found that a mosaic pavement extended north and east, forming a 12 m by 12 m plaza. This was bordered on the east and north by tightly spaced secondary walls composed of reused basalt column drums and Ionic capitals placed on end. On the east side of the mosaic pavement a double torus base had been placed. However, the mosaic floor had been built around two other column bases, indicating that at the time the floor was laid, there had already been a row of columns for support of some kind of upper structure. |
| Site Navigation: Home > Site Maps > Area B | |
| © 2003. Abila Archaeologoical Project. All images are property of the Abila Archaeological Project.
Home | Webmaster
|