Pella
Tabaqat Fahl · Pella of Decapolis · Tabaqat Faḥl
Neolithic to Mamluk (c.8000 BCE–1500 CE; Decapolis peak 63 BCE–400 CE)·Neolithic → Canaanite → Hellenistic Decapolis → Roman → Byzantine → Islamic·🇯🇴 Irbid Governorate, Jordan Valley, Jordan
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About
About Pella
Pella (Tabaqat Fahl) is a 4000-year mound and Decapolis Greco-Roman city in Jordan Valley — with Neolithic village (Sha'ar Hagolan–related) through Canaanite–Egyptian fortress (Thutmosis III), mighty Middle Bronze city wall, Hellenistic Pella (Alexander's veterans), Roman Odeon and Byzantine churches. Australian Sydney University excavations (McNicoll, Watson 1979–) revealed EB glacis, LB–Iron migration layers, Roman forum collapse 749 earthquake, and Canaanite temple with ortostat stela.
Why it mattersDecapolis Greco-Roman city with Neolithic–Mamluk continuity; Thutmosis III fortress; 749 quake.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Pella flight of Jerusalem Christians 70 CE?
Theories
- 01Decapolis urban koine
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.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
c.8000 BCE
Natufian–Neolithic village
c.1600 BCE
Middle Bronze walled city
63 BCE
Pompey Decapolis — Hellenistic Pella
749 CE
Earthquake destroys Roman city — abandoned Byzantine
On the ground
Structures & features
32.4500° N · 35.6200° E · -300 m · 4 mapped features
- Middle Bronze City Wall and LB Egyptian FortressfortificationMB glacis (3000 BCE) and Thutmosis III LB fortress with scarab32.4503° N · 35.6202° E
- Hellenistic–Roman Decapolis Forum and OdeoncityRoman forum, Odeon and colonnaded street on lower town32.4496° N · 35.6204° E
- Byzantine Basilica and 749 Quake CollapsechurchByzantine basilica with mosaic, collapsed by 749 CE earthquake32.4506° N · 35.6195° E
- Neolithic Village Terrace (Wadi Hammeh related)settlement6000 BCE Neolithic houses with Yarmukian pottery32.4493° N · 35.6207° E
Gallery