Pella of the Decapolis — Tabaqat Fahl
Neolithic to Islamic (6000 BCE–1400 CE)·Canaanite / Hellenistic / Roman Decapolis / Islamic·🇯🇴 Jordan Valley, Jordan
About
About Pella of the Decapolis — Tabaqat Fahl
Pella of the Decapolis — Tabaqat Fahl in Jordan Valley, Jordan is a Neolithic to Islamic (6000 BCE–1400 CE) ancient-city attributed to Canaanite / Hellenistic / Roman Decapolis / Islamic. Decapolis city with Bronze–Iron tell and Roman Odeon, west of Jordan River, refuge for Jerusalem Christians 70 CE. Smith excavations: Chalcolithic, 3rd millennium fort, Mycenaean tomb, Roman Odeon 500 seats, Umayyad mosque.
Why it mattersKey Levantine tell with multi-period stratigraphy informing chronology of the Jordan Valley
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Stratigraphic sequence
- 02Biblical identification debated
Theories
- 01Border fortress model
- 02Trade route control
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c. 6000 BCE
- Period
- Neolithic to Islamic (6000 BCE–1400 CE)
- Culture
- Canaanite / Hellenistic / Roman Decapolis / Islamic
- Purpose
- Decapolis city with Bronze–Iron tell and Roman Odeon, west of Jordan River, refuge for Jerusalem Christians 70 CE
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c. 6000 BCE
Initial construction
c. 1925 CE
Woolley/Petrie survey
On the ground
Structures & features
32.4500° N · 35.6160° E · -100 m · 3 mapped features
Pella of the Decapolis — Tabaqat Fahl — Decapolis Theatre / Agora
theatreRoman theatre or agora
32.4502° N · 35.6161° EPella of the Decapolis — Tabaqat Fahl — Temple Precinct
templeSanctuary area
32.4498° N · 35.6162° EPella of the Decapolis — Tabaqat Fahl — City Wall Gate
gateCity gate and wall circuit
32.4504° N · 35.6158° E