Pella

Why it mattersDecapolis Greco-Roman city with Neolithic–Mamluk continuity; Thutmosis III fortress; 749 quake.

Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.

Built

c.8000 BCE (Natufian)

Period

Neolithic to Mamluk (c.8000 BCE–1500 CE; Decapolis peak 63 BCE–400 CE)

Culture

Neolithic → Canaanite → Hellenistic Decapolis → Roman → Byzantine → Islamic

Builders

Hellenistic Pella founders; Roman Decapolis

Purpose

Settlement and ceremonial centre

Abandoned

1500 CE

Rediscovered

1958 (Funk)

Excavation

Excavated

1. c.8000 BCE

   Natufian–Neolithic village

2. c.1600 BCE

   Middle Bronze walled city

3. 63 BCE

   Pompey Decapolis — Hellenistic Pella

4. 749 CE

   Earthquake destroys Roman city — abandoned Byzantine

• Middle Bronze City Wall and LB Egyptian Fortress

  fortification

  MB glacis (3000 BCE) and Thutmosis III LB fortress with scarab

  32.4503° N · 35.6202° E

• Hellenistic–Roman Decapolis Forum and Odeon

  city

  Roman forum, Odeon and colonnaded street on lower town

  32.4496° N · 35.6204° E

• Byzantine Basilica and 749 Quake Collapse

  church

  Byzantine basilica with mosaic, collapsed by 749 CE earthquake

  32.4506° N · 35.6195° E

• Neolithic Village Terrace (Wadi Hammeh related)

  settlement

  6000 BCE Neolithic houses with Yarmukian pottery

  32.4493° N · 35.6207° E