Archeologists excavated another historic ancient temple that was believed to be lost, just off the coast of Puzzuoli, Italy.
The temple was found to be Nabataean and is marked "unusual" by experts compared to similar ancient architecture that is normally in the Middle East.
Per ART News, Puzzuoli was formerly called Puteoli during the reign of the Roman Republic, and was a place where ships carry and trade goods from and to Mediterranean areas. At the same time, the bustling port was home to storehouses that contain grain ancient people exported from Egypt and North Africa. This was during Emperor Augustus' reign, from 31 BCE to 14 CE.
Due to the volcanic eruptions, the Puteoli port got lost in the sea.
Screenshot from Art News Official Report on Nabatean Temple, Photo by M. Stefanile
The Nabataean Temple
The temple was 2,000 years old and can be traced to shortly after the Roman Empire took over the Nabatean Kingdom. The reason for its uniqueness in not being within the Middle East is due to Nabateans moving to different parts of the Roman Empire.
Dedicated to the Nabatean god, Dushara, it came with an inscription in Latin, unlike the traditional Aramaic, again due to Roman influence. At 32 by 15 feet, the temple has two large rooms with marble altars adorned with sacred stones. Both are elements of Nabatean and Roman architectural features.
The Italian Ministry of Culture and the University of Campania surveyed the artifacts and structures in the site and explained that the Nabateans enjoyed a period of freedom and prosperity due to the lucrative trade business that came from Gaza and Jordan, passing through Puteoli. This was during emperors August and Trajan's reigns. Nabateans lost their wealth when the kingdom fell to Trajan's legions in 106 CE. Romans not only controlled the trade networks but it was also being studied if locals intentionally buried the temple in the 2nd century to keep the empire from benefiting from their trade business.
