Beit Ras/Capitolias

Transliterated Name	Source	Name
Beit Ras	Arabic	بييت راس
Capitolias	Ancient Greek	Καπιτωλιάς
Bet Reisha	Aramaic

Introduction

Capitolias, located by the modern town of Beit Ras in Jordan, was one of the cities of the Decapolis. After the Muslim conquest, the town name was changed to Beit Ras, similar to its original Aramaic name Bet Reisha. (C. J. Lenzen in Meyers et al, 1997) A hiatus in occupation at the site has yet been found, but a gradual decrease in size and change in use from public space to private space seems to [have begun] as early as the tenth century CE. (C. J. Lenzen in Meyers et al, 1997)

Identification and Excavations

from C. J. Lenzen in Meyers et al (1997)

Beit Ras, a site located in northwestern Transjordan, 5 km (3 mi.) north of Irbid (map reference 680 X 105). Beit Ras was known as Capitolias from the first through the seventh centuries CE and was a member of the Decapolis confederation. Following Islamic hegemony over the region (c. 636 CE), the original Aramaic name, Beit Ras, was reinstituted. To date, no stratified deposits earlier than the first century CE have been excavated, although survey has provided some data earlier than the Roman period. These data, primarily pottery, were found on the ras, the highest point (about 600 m) in the immediate vicinity of the site, which may indicate the use of the ras as a lookout post prior to the formation of the city.

F. Kruse and H. L. Fleischer (1859), commenting on Ulrich J. Seetzen's travels and explorations (1806) were the first to identify Beit Ras with Capitolias. J. S. Buckingham (1816), Selah Merrill (1881), Gottlieb Schumacher (1890), Nelson Glueck (1951) and Siegfried Mittmann (1970) all visited the site and recorded certain of it's elements. G. Lankester Harding, director of antiquities for the area during the British Mandate, noted the site's importance. The Jordanian Department of Antiquities has conducted salvage excavations there, particularly in the necropolis, during the last thirty years. Systematic archaeological research was begun in 1983 with an intensive survey of the site and its immediate vicinity; excavation, begun in 1985, continues. Because the village is inhabited, research combines archaeological strategies with ethnohistorical research, oral history, and text interpretation, with the aim of elucidating all of the site's past.

In antiquity, the site was walled. The excavated portion of the wall, built in the second century CE of local limestone ashlar blocks, consists of three gates that face north. The gates were altered in the following five centuries, perhaps because of seismiturbation. In the early eighth century CE, one gate was turned into a tower. A walled acropolis has been excavated on the ras, evidencing the same constructional techniques and alterations throughout the site's occupational periods as the city wall.

Two levels of a three-tiered marketplace, known from literary sources, has been excavated north of the main decumanus, known from the city's oral history. The upper level consists of nine vaults that face north, bounded by vaults that face east and west. The region's natural bedrock was used to construct the marketplace. The rear wall of the vaults is continuous. One vault is a Roman barrel vault; the others were periodically reconstructed throughout Beit Ras's history. The vaults' interior and exterior are covered by utilitarian tesselated pavements. Marble facing found inside the vaults suggests that the upper level of the marketplace was used for selling finished products. This second story evidences the same construction. The vaults were altered considerably in the thirteenth/fourteenth century.

The city's main church has been excavated across from the first level of the vaults. Built on the remains of an earlier Roman structure, this construction dates to the mid-fifth century. It is likely that it was turned into a mosque in the early eighth century. A three-tiered water installation (ablution pool?) was built against the juncture of the church's central and southern apses. The entire area of the vaults and church remained public space until the tenth century CE, when the space was used for domestic and minor industrial activities.

An intricate water system served the city from its inception in 97/98 CE and subsequentiy. The absence of springs in the vicinity made the city dependent on rainwater and water brought from a distance. Part of a low aqueduct system was surveyed west of the city, outside the city wall. Inside the city, a well-engineered channel run-off system cut into the bedrock debouched into large cisterns. A reservoir was built on the south side of the city and periodically refurbished throughout the city's history.

The archaeological research to date indicates that Beit Ras/Capitolias was a planned Roman city, probably established for military reasons, and that it flourished in the period between the first and tenth centuries. Excavation has yielded quantities of pottery comparable to that at other Decapolis cities. No hiatus in occupation at the site has yet been found, but a gradual decrease in size and change in use from public space to private space seems to begin as early as the tenth century.

Ancient Theater Glossary

Textual Glossary

from whitman.edu

Illustrations of Individual Components

Aditus

from whitman.edu

Aditus maximus

from whitman.edu

Cavea

from whitman.edu

Gradus

from whitman.edu

Orchestra

from whitman.edu

Praecinctiones

from whitman.edu

Proscaenium

from whitman.edu

Pulpitum

from whitman.edu

Scaenae

from whitman.edu

Scaenae frons

from whitman.edu

Scalae

from whitman.edu

Versurae

from whitman.edu

Vomitoria

from whitman.edu

Capitolias at The Princeton Encyclopedia of Classical Sites

from The Princeton Encyclopedia of Classical Sites

Maps, Aerial Views, and Plans

Maps

Fig. 2 Town Plan from

Figure 2

City plan of Capitolias/Beit-Ras (modified after Al-Shami, 2005).

Al-Tawalbeh et. al. (2020)

Al-Tawalbeh et. al. (2020)

Aerial Views

Beit Ras/Capitolias in Google Earth

Beit Ras/Capitolias

click on image to explore this site on a new tab in Google Earth

Plans

Theater

Normal Size

Fig. 4 Major parts

Figure 4

Major parts of a Roman theater. It is mostly the shape of Beit-Ras/Capitolias theater at the time of construction. Modified after Fayyad and Karasneh (2004), Karasneh and Fayyad (2005), and Sears (2006), and our field observation.

Al-Tawalbeh et. al. (2020)

of a Roman Theater from Al-Tawalbeh et. al. (2020)
Fig. 5 Archaeoseismic Plan

Figure 5

Theater plan and the position of the observed damage features. Most of the locations' damage features are marked in the drawing.

Al-Tawalbeh et. al. (2020)

of the Capitolias Theater from Al-Tawalbeh et. al. (2020)

Magnified

Fig. 4 Major parts

Figure 4

Major parts of a Roman theater. It is mostly the shape of Beit-Ras/Capitolias theater at the time of construction. Modified after Fayyad and Karasneh (2004), Karasneh and Fayyad (2005), and Sears (2006), and our field observation.

Al-Tawalbeh et. al. (2020)

of a Roman Theater from Al-Tawalbeh et. al. (2020)
Fig. 5 Archaeoseismic Plan

Figure 5

Theater plan and the position of the observed damage features. Most of the locations' damage features are marked in the drawing.

Al-Tawalbeh et. al. (2020)

of the Capitolias Theater from Al-Tawalbeh et. al. (2020)

West of the Theater

Normal Size

Fig. 1 PCMA project

Figure 1

Trenches excavated by the PCMA project (C) in relation to the Vaults area (A) and the Theater (B) (PCMA Beit Ras Project/R. Bieńkowski)

Mlynarczyk (2017)

Excavation area map from Mlynarczyk (2017)
Fig. 2 Map of area excavated

Figure 2

Sector investigated by the PCMA Project: top, results of the electrical resistivity survey (2014); bottom, extent of trenches excavated in 2015–2016 in relation to the results of the electrical resistivity survey (PCMA Beit Ras Project/interpretation of survey results J. Ordutowski; plan J. Ordutowski [2014] and M. Burdajewicz [2015–2016])

Mlynarczyk (2017)

(sectors N, S, and SS) in 2015 and 2016 from Mlynarczyk (2017)
Fig. 6 Detailed plan
Figure 5

Trench in Areas 1-S and 1-S(W). Key
- light grey — floors
- hatched — mosaic floor of the winery
(PCMA Beit Ras Project/drawing M Drzewiecki [2015], drawing and digitizing M Burdajewicz [2015-2016]

Mlynarczyk (2017)
of Sector S excavation from Mlynarczyk (2017)

Magnified

Fig. 1 PCMA project

Figure 1

Trenches excavated by the PCMA project (C) in relation to the Vaults area (A) and the Theater (B) (PCMA Beit Ras Project/R. Bieńkowski)

Mlynarczyk (2017)

Excavation area map from Mlynarczyk (2017)
Fig. 2 Map of area excavated

Figure 2

Sector investigated by the PCMA Project: top, results of the electrical resistivity survey (2014); bottom, extent of trenches excavated in 2015–2016 in relation to the results of the electrical resistivity survey (PCMA Beit Ras Project/interpretation of survey results J. Ordutowski; plan J. Ordutowski [2014] and M. Burdajewicz [2015–2016])

Mlynarczyk (2017)

(sectors N, S, and SS) in 2015 and 2016 from Mlynarczyk (2017)
Fig. 6 Detailed plan
Figure 5

Trench in Areas 1-S and 1-S(W). Key
- light grey — floors
- hatched — mosaic floor of the winery
(PCMA Beit Ras Project/drawing M Drzewiecki [2015], drawing and digitizing M Burdajewicz [2015-2016]

Mlynarczyk (2017)
of Sector S excavation from Mlynarczyk (2017)

Phasing

Theater

Timeline

from Al-Tawalbeh et. al. (2020)

Figure 12

Timeline of the main phases, the two main phases of major destruction, which could be earthquake events and the candidate earthquakes that affected Beit-Ras and surrounding region. Historical chronology of Jordan from Early Roman to Umayyad modified after Stager et al. (2000).

JW: 233 and 245 earthquake dates are spurious. 130 CE earthquake is questionable and may be a duplicate of the Incense Road Earthquake (listed on the timeline as 114 CE). This is why this archaeoseismic evidence represents an earthquake not reported in the historical record but discovered by archaeoseismic means.

Al-Tawalbeh et. al. (2020)

Phasing Table

from Al-Tawalbeh et. al. (2020)

Phase	Comments
The foundation of Capitolias and the construction of the theater	According to Lenzen and Knauf (1987), based on numismatic and epigraphic evidence, the city reached its peak of prosperity in the latter half of the second century and the first half of the third century A.D., and the evidence of the coins suggests that the city certainly existed when coins were minted at Capitolias in A.D. 97/98 (Spijkerman, 1978). - Al-Tawalbeh et. al. (2020:5-6) The good economic position of the city promoted the construction of a theater—usually a project of decadal duration - possibly as early as the coins were minted (i.e., at the end of the first century A.D.). The theater was built against a hill slope, a typical engineering solution until the end of the second century A.D. (Sear, 2006). According to Frezouls (1959), many theaters were built in the region throughout the first to third centuries. - Al-Tawalbeh et. al. (2020:6)
1st damage and construction	It can be understood that the original theater was heavily damaged by an earthquake, where the perimeter corridor, the ambulacrum, the staircases, and the scaenae were damaged beyond repair, whereas the lateral portions of the cavea survived, including the eastern arched gate of the aditus maximus. Subsequent restoration was made using stones of inferior quality for the scaenae. The staircases and the eastern stage gate were rebuilt (still visible today), whereas the ambulacrum was not. Instead, the gate to the aditus maximus was walled up and marked with a dedicatory inscription. All these were built before A.D. 261—the date of the inscription. A subsequent earthquake cracked the ashlars of the gate, causing stone spalling and breaking off. Finally, the basalt stone portion of the wall is evidence for a later local damage and repair at an unknown time (Fig. 9f Figure 9 External view of the eastern orchestra gate leading from the outside into the aditus maximus. Above the gate arch, there are two rows of ashlars of the former vault of the ambulatorium. Upon the collapse of the passage, the gate was walled up, allowing access to the theater via a smaller stone door below (in the lower part). A carved inscription from A.D. 261 dates the walling up event. About a meter to the right, there is a different wall, made of chalky limestone of lighter color, and has irregular contact with the original wall. The wall suture clearly indicates that the lighter chalk wall was attached to the darker limestone wall later, as a repair structure. Repair on the left by basalt cubes was carried out after the wall with the inscription was built. Al-Tawalbeh et. al. (2020) ). - Al-Tawalbeh et. al. (2020:6-7) The ambulacrum was never restored, while the scaenae was rebuilt, but from stones of inferior quality. The idea that the ambulacrum collapsed previously is further evidenced by the walling up with chalk limestone masonry on four of the six vomitoria. This was probably done at the same time as when the eastern gate was walled up. - Al-Tawalbeh et. al. (2020:7)
Conversion of use	Observations strongly indicate that after the first collapse and subsequent reconstruction as a theater, the building was transformed into an amphitheater - Al-Tawalbeh et. al. (2020:7)
2nd collapse and abandonment	It is likely that after the conversion into an amphitheater, at least one other earthquake was responsible for deformation seen in the scaenae wall (i.e., tilting, shifted stones, dropped keystones, stones rotations). The scaenae itself is strongly tilted toward the north, so much so that two-thirds of the original height collapsed and is missing, and leaving behind only a 3-5-meter-high truncated wall. This seismic event definitely contributed to the theater's abandonment, when all damage remained unrepaired (Karasneh et al., 2002). Later, a buttress wall was built to support the tilted scaenae, making it a part of the city wall, in Late Roman-Early Byzantine. The second collapse of the theater certainly occurred, after the conversion into an amphitheater and just before buttressing the scaenae wall system. This succession of events is proven by the severely damaged vomitoria arches, which were left unrepaired. It can be suggested that this final collapse led to a final abandonment of the theater. - Al-Tawalbeh et. al. (2020:8)
2nd restoration phase	conversion into a fortification: The unused theater structure was kept standing by a buttress wall, 1.5 m thick, joining the 1-meter-thick tilted scaenae. This wall encircled both staircases, providing support to the damaged northern facade. Also, there are two walls (part of the city wall) adjacent to the eastern side of the theater (trend northwest-southeast) (Figs. 3 Figure 3 An aerial photograph of the excavated Beit-Ras/ Capitolias theater. Main parts of the theater are indicated. The city wall serves as a buttress in front of the scaena walls and the towers with staircases. The city wall connected with the eastern stage gate and vomitoria gate. Al-Tawalbeh et. al. (2020) Photo taken on 1st October 2015 and photographed by Rebecca Elizabeth Banks (courtesy of Aerial Photographic Archive of Archaeology in the Middle East [APAAME], photo. APAAME_20151001_REB-0193. Creative Commons License CC BY-NC-ND 3.3. East—west length 57 m). and 5 Figure 5 Theater plan and the position of the observed damage features. Most of the locations' damage features are marked in the drawing. Al-Tawalbeh et. al. (2020) ). - Al-Tawalbeh et. al. (2020:8) Mlynarczyk (2017) dated a portion of the city wall that has a width of 2.5 m and is located 140 m west of the theater to not later than second century A.D., based on ceramics embedded in abutting floor levels. We think that this dating is not valid for the portion of the city walls adjacent to the theater, where the buttress wall is 1.5 m thick. At this time, the building was still functioning as designed, as a theater or amphitheater, as proven by the inscription dated A.D. 261 (Bader and Yon, 2018). The original city wall was probably somewhere to the south of the theater at that time. The city wall, which blocks most entrances of the theater, was built later, most likely after the second damaging earthquake. Mlynarczyk's doubts can be accepted on "tentatively dated" and "not easy to be dated" ceramics from the lower two stratigraphic levels (i.e., phases) abutting the wall. However, we agree with her assignment of the upper phase (fifth phase) of the wall as Late Roman (fourth-fifth centuries), and consider this period as terminus ante quem when the wall was constructed. - Al-Tawalbeh et. al. (2020:9)
The landfill	burying phase: Following the final abandonment, the empty space above the cavea, orchestra, and stage was filled up naturally and/or deliberately with sand and debris (Fig. 11 Figure 11 Sand and debris found at the theater during the excavation (after Lucke et al., 2012, modified). Al-Tawalbeh et. al. (2020) ), composed of sand-sized to boulder-sized clasts and containing fragments of ceramics and thin charcoal layers. - Al-Tawalbeh et. al. (2020:10) It is most likely that the sediment burying the theater can roughly be dated as Late Roman, Byzantine, and Umayyad, because it contained a chaotic mixture of ceramics from these ages, including stamped Late Roman pottery (Karasneh and Fayyad, 2004). According to Lucke et al (2012), four ash bands were identified across the fill material. The ¹⁴C dating of these bands indicated that the major part of the sediment was deposited, approximately, between A.D. 521 and 667 (Lucke et al., 2012). This is the period before and during the early years of the Umayyad caliphate (A.D. 661-750). Considering the error of radiocarbon dates measured on old timber (Schiffer, 1986), it is difficult to know exactly how old the living tree and age of dead wood was, when carbonized. This is a terminus post quem for the deposition of the landfill. - Al-Tawalbeh et. al. (2020:10)

Entire Site

from Lenzen (2003)

Phase	Date	Comments
I	c. 1900 CE - present
II	c. 1800-1900 CE
III	c. 1500-1800 CE
IV	c. 900-1500 CE
V	c. 600-900 CE
VI	c. 300-600 CE
VII	foundation to c. 300 CE

Archaeoseismic Survey

Al-Tawalbeh et. al. (2020) examined archeoseismic evidence in 2019 and 2020 at the theater of Capitolias. They documented archaeoseismic evidence from two earthquakes which appear to have damaged the structure - one before 260/261 CE and one after. The 260/261 CE dividing date is based on a dedicatory inscription found in a rebuilding phase where the eastern aditus maximus gate was walled up. There also appears to be archaeoseismic evidence for later earthquakes.

1st earthquake - mid 3rd century CE

Al-Tawalbeh et. al. (2020) bracketed the date of the first earthquake between 97/98 CE and a dedicatory inscription dated to 260/261 CE. Although Al-Tawalbeh et. al. (2020:10) noted that a definitive judgment on the time separating the first earthquake occurrence from its subsequent reconstruction [] is difficult to support, restoration efforts memorialized by the inscription suggests that the earthquake likely occurred close to the 260/261 CE date - within a few decades. Numismatic and epigraphic evidence indicated that the city was fairly prosperous from the later half of the second century CE into the first half of the 3rd century CE and thus capable (and willing) to convert their theater to an amphitheater fairly quickly after the damaging earthquake.

Al-Tawalbeh et. al. (2020) discovered only a few recent earthquakes in the earthquake catalogues near to the 260/261 CE date - in 233, 242, and 245 CE. However, these all appear to be false events propagated from Willis' (1928) first uncorrected catalog which misdated these earthquakes reported by Arab Chronicler As-Soyuti by ~622 years due to a failure to recognize that As-Soyuti's dates were reported in the Islamic calendar (A.H.) rather than the Julian calendar. Ambraseys (2009) reports a possible earthquake in Palmyra, Syria in 233 CE based on an inscription however Palmyra is 310 km. away from the the theater at Capitolias so it is doubtful that an earthquake could have caused heavy damage in both places. Hence, this archeoseismic evidence points towards a previously unrecognized earthquake not reported in the earthquake catalogues and not reported in any extant historical source that I am currently aware of. More details on the false earthquake events propagated from Willis (1928) can be found in in the collapsible panel below.

References

Earthquake Catalog Error Propagation

Earthquake Catalogs that reference earthquakes in 233 CE and 245 CE go back to Willis (1928) whose source was As-Soyuti. Although he later issued a correction, Willis' (1928) initial paper did not recognize that As-Soyuti provided Islamic AH (After Hejira) dates instead of Julian dates hence Willis' (1928) earthquake dates from As-Soyuti are off by ~622 years (too early). Later catalogers copied these erroneous dates. Catalog entries going backwards illustrate this below :

Sbeinati et al (2005)

[019] 233 Damascus: VII.

Parametric catalogues
− Ben-Menahem (1979): 233 A.D., Ml= 6.3,damage in Damascus.
Seismological compilations
− Sieberg (1932): 233 A.D., there was an earthquake in Syria causing destruction of many houses at Damascus.
[020] 242-245 Antioch: VI-VII; Syria: VI-VII; Egypt: III; Iran: III.

Parametric catalogues
− Ben-Menahem (1979): 245, Ml= 7.5, near Antioch (Willis).
Seismological compilations
− Sieberg (1932): 242 or 245, a strong earthquake in Antioch and all over Syria. It was felt in Egypt and Iran.

Ben-Menahem (1979)

233 Damage in Damask. ML = 6.3 Source: Sieberg (1932)
245 Near Antiochia. ML = 7.5 Source: Willis (1927)

Sieberg (1932a)

233. Severe earthquake in Syria only destroys Damascus (Sehweres Erdbeben in Syrien nut Zerstiirungen in Damaskus)

Willis (1928)

220 Antioch; very destructive, lasted forty days Source: As-Soyuti
233 Damascus ; many buildings destroyed Source: As-Soyuti
242 Syria in general ; very violent and extended from Egypt to Persia Source: As-Soyuti
245 Antioch ; excessive, very widespread Source: As-Soyuti

As-Soyuti from Sprenger (1843) - A.H. dates

220 Antiochia was destroyed by an earthquake, which lasted forty days.
224 An earthquake at Fergana, by which 15,000 persons perished.
225 An earthquake at Ahwaz for sixteen days ; it was also felt in Jebal.
233 At Damascus many persons were buried under their houses; the earthquake extended to Antiochia, Mesopotamia, and Mausil. It is supposed that 50,000 persons perished.
232 Several earthquakes, more particularly in the Maghrib and in Syria, where the walls of Damascus and Emessa were destroyed. It was felt at Antiochia and El-Awassim in Mesopotamia and Mausil.
233 On Thursday, the 11th of Rabi-al-Akhar, many buildings were destroyed at Damascus by an earthquake. ^note
234 At Herat, the houses were destroyed.
239 At Tiberias.
240 In the Maghrib, thirteen villages of Kairowan sunk.
242 In Shaban a very violent earthquake. At Tunis about 45,000 persons were buried under their houses; it extended also over Yemen, Khorasan, Fars, Syria, Bastam, Komm Kashan, Rai, el-Damaghan, Nishapur, Taberistan and Ispahan. The mountains fell down, and the earth opened so extensively that men could walk into it ; and in the village El-sud in Egypt, five stones fell from heaven. One stone fell on the tent of a Bedouin and set it on fire. The weight of these stones was ten rotles. In Yemen a hill covered with fields moved from its place and became the property of another tribe.
245 Earthquakes prevailed over the whole earth, and many towns and bridges were destroyed. At Antiochia a mountain fell into the sea, with 1005 houses. It had been covered with about ninety villages. The river disappeared one farsang's distance. Dreadful noises were heard at Tinnis. In Mecca all the springs disappeared. The earthquake extended over Rakka, Harran, Ras el-'Ain, Emessa, Damascus, Rokha, Tarsus, Massissa and Adina. On the shores of Syria, in Laodicea, mountains moved with their inhabitants, and when it had destroyed, El-son, it crossed the Euphrates, and was felt in Khorassan.

QED

Note: Fourmilabs webpage converts between Islamic dates and Julian dates.

2nd earthquake - 3rd-5th century CE

The second earthquake is believed to have tilted the scaenae wall approximately 8 degrees to the north where the upper 2/3 of that wall is now missing. Al-Tawalbeh et. al. (2020:8) suggest this event led to final abandonment of the theater as so much was left unrepaired. Later, an adjacent buttress wall was built providing a terminus ante quem for the second event. They dated this terminus ante quem to the 4th to 5th centuries CE. Sediment infill in the theater provides a second later terminus ante quem based on ceramics of Late Roman, Byzantine, and Umayyad ages and radiocarbon dating of ash bands within the sediment infill which indicated that most of the sediment was deposited between 521 and 667 CE ( Al-Tawalbeh et. al., 2020:10). While their evidence strongly suggests earthquake damage, the dating of the causative event is unfortunately not well constrained.

mid 8th Century CE Earthquake

Maps, Plans, and Photos

Normal Size

Fig. 1 PCMA project

Figure 1

Trenches excavated by the PCMA project (C) in relation to the Vaults area (A) and the Theater (B) (PCMA Beit Ras Project/R. Bieńkowski)

Mlynarczyk (2017)

Excavation area map from Mlynarczyk (2017)
Fig. 2 Map of area excavated

Figure 2

Sector investigated by the PCMA Project: top, results of the electrical resistivity survey (2014); bottom, extent of trenches excavated in 2015–2016 in relation to the results of the electrical resistivity survey (PCMA Beit Ras Project/interpretation of survey results J. Ordutowski; plan J. Ordutowski [2014] and M. Burdajewicz [2015–2016])

Mlynarczyk (2017)

(sectors N, S, and SS) in 2015 and 2016 from Mlynarczyk (2017)
Fig. 6 Detailed plan
Figure 5

Trench in Areas 1-S and 1-S(W). Key
- light grey — floors
- hatched — mosaic floor of the winery
(PCMA Beit Ras Project/drawing M Drzewiecki [2015], drawing and digitizing M Burdajewicz [2015-2016]

Mlynarczyk (2017)
of Sector S excavation from Mlynarczyk (2017)
Fig. 10 Tumbled Blocks

Figure 10

Blocks tumbled from wall W K with part of floor F III above, view facing east (PCM/1 Belt Ras Project/photo J. Mlynarczyk)

Mlynarczyk (2017)

from Mlynarczyk (2017)

Magnified

Fig. 1 PCMA project

Figure 1

Trenches excavated by the PCMA project (C) in relation to the Vaults area (A) and the Theater (B) (PCMA Beit Ras Project/R. Bieńkowski)

Mlynarczyk (2017)

Excavation area map from Mlynarczyk (2017)
Fig. 2 Map of area excavated

Figure 2

Sector investigated by the PCMA Project: top, results of the electrical resistivity survey (2014); bottom, extent of trenches excavated in 2015–2016 in relation to the results of the electrical resistivity survey (PCMA Beit Ras Project/interpretation of survey results J. Ordutowski; plan J. Ordutowski [2014] and M. Burdajewicz [2015–2016])

Mlynarczyk (2017)

(sectors N, S, and SS) in 2015 and 2016 from Mlynarczyk (2017)
Fig. 6 Detailed plan
Figure 5

Trench in Areas 1-S and 1-S(W). Key
- light grey — floors
- hatched — mosaic floor of the winery
(PCMA Beit Ras Project/drawing M Drzewiecki [2015], drawing and digitizing M Burdajewicz [2015-2016]

Mlynarczyk (2017)
of Sector S excavation from Mlynarczyk (2017)
Fig. 10 Tumbled Blocks

Figure 10

Blocks tumbled from wall W K with part of floor F III above, view facing east (PCM/1 Belt Ras Project/photo J. Mlynarczyk)

Mlynarczyk (2017)

from Mlynarczyk (2017)

Discussion

Mlynarczyk (2017) identified archaeoseismic evidence from what they believed to be a mid 8th century CE earthquake from excavations conducted in 2015 and 2016 in an area west of the theater. She presumed that destruction of the city wall was due to this earthquake.

Area 1-S (W) Square 1 (W)

Mlynarczyk (2017:484) described the archaeoseismic evidence as follows:

[Floor] F III rested in part upon quake-related debris of mostly regular limestone blocks tumbled in a northerly direction, doubtlessly from [Wall] W V [Fig. 10 - above]. The blocks lay on a compacted earthen floor F IV, approximately 0.65 m below F III. The ceramic material sealed below [Floor] F IV does not seem to be contaminated and pertains to the late Byzantine to Umayyad period. It is to be assumed, therefore, that the earthquake evidenced by the collapsed blocks was that of AD 749.

Area 1-S Square 9

Mlynarczyk (2017:489) described the archaeoseismic evidence as follows:

The space between [Walls] W II and W III in the northeastern part of the trench was found filled with ashlars tumbled from the wall(s). The collected pottery is evidence of earthquake destruction in AD 749, even if this unsealed debris contained some intrusive material of a later (Abbasid) period. The lack of a floor above this deposit proves that habitation ceased in this particular area after the earthquake. The rubble was left in place without ascertaining the floor on which it rested.

Later Earthquakes

Figures

Fig. 9f - Eastern orchestra gate -
Figure 9

External view of the eastern orchestra gate leading from the outside into the aditus maximus.
1. Above the gate arch, there are two rows of ashlars of the former vault of the ambulatorium.
2. Upon the collapse of the passage, the gate was walled up, allowing access to the theater via a smaller stone door below (in the lower part).
3. A carved inscription from A.D. 261 dates the walling up event.
4. About a meter to the right, there is a different wall, made of chalky limestone of lighter color, and has irregular contact with the original wall.
5. The wall suture clearly indicates that the lighter chalk wall was attached to the darker limestone wall later, as a repair structure.
6. Repair on the left by basalt cubes was carried out after the wall with the inscription was built.
Al-Tawalbeh et. al. (2020)
from Al-Tawalbeh et. al. (2020)

Discussion

Al-Tawalbeh et. al. (2020:14) discussed archaeoseismic evidence for later post abandonment earthquakes

We believe that filling up the cavea and orchestra of the theater happened parallel with the construction of the enclosing wall that essentially put all of the remaining building underground. Underground facilities are significantly less vulnerable to seismic excitation than that above-ground buildings (Hashash et aL, 2001). Understandably, when each wall and arch are supported by embedding sediment (dump in Beit-Ras), the observed deformations of the excavated theater mostly cannot develop unless unsupported. Therefore, evidence of damage due to any subsequent events, such as A.D. 551, 634, 659, and 749, cannot be observed, because the possibility of collapse of buried structures is not plausible. However, potential collapse of other above-ground structures within the site of Beit-Ras cannot be ignored, such as the upper elements of the theater's structures, which were still exposed after the filling of the theater with debris. Several observations indicated that many collapsed elements of the upper parts of the theater were mixed with the debris, as documented in excavation reports by Al-Shami (2003, 2004). Another example suggesting the effect of the later events, such as that of A.D. 749. Mlynarczyk (2017) attributed the collapse of some sections of the city wall of Beit-Ras to this event, based on the concentration of collapsed ashlars and the age of collected pottery from two trenches excavated to the west of the theater structure.

Al-Tawalbeh et. al. (2020:6) also noted the following about the eastern orchestra gate:

The basalt masonry in the upper left (Fig. 9f - see above) suggests a later local collapse and repair phase, where the basalt courses are overlaying the marly-chalky limestone to the left of the walled arched eastern gate.

1st earthquake - mid 3rd century CE

Effect	Location	Image(s)	Description
perimeter corridor, ambulacrum, and scaenae damaged beyond repair	perimeter corridor, ambulacrum, and the scaenae Figure 4 Major parts of a Roman theater. It is mostly the shape of Beit-Ras/Capitolias theater at the time of construction. Modified after Fayyad and Karasneh (2004), Karasneh and Fayyad (2005), and Sears (2006), and our field observation. Al-Tawalbeh et. al. (2020)	Figure 5 Theater plan and the position of the observed damage features. Most of the locations' damage features are marked in the drawing. Al-Tawalbeh et. al. (2020)	It can be understood that the original theater was heavily damaged by an earthquake, where the perimeter corridor, the ambulacrum, the staircases, and the scaenae were damaged beyond repair, whereas the lateral portions of the cavea survived, including the eastern arched gate of the aditus maximus. - Al-Tawalbeh et. al. (2020:6) The ambulacrum was never restored, while the scaenae was rebuilt, but from stones of inferior quality. The idea that the ambulacrum collapsed previously is further evidenced by the walling up with chalk limestone masonry on four of the six vomitoria. This was probably done at the same time as when the eastern gate was walled up. - Al-Tawalbeh et. al. (2020:7)
destruction of the annular passageway (ambulatorium)	ambulatorium Figure 4 Major parts of a Roman theater. It is mostly the shape of Beit-Ras/Capitolias theater at the time of construction. Modified after Fayyad and Karasneh (2004), Karasneh and Fayyad (2005), and Sears (2006), and our field observation. Al-Tawalbeh et. al. (2020)	Figure 5 Theater plan and the position of the observed damage features. Most of the locations' damage features are marked in the drawing. Al-Tawalbeh et. al. (2020)	The first major proposed earthquake may be responsible for the destruction of the annular passageway (ambulatorium), which was followed by a reconstruction that was marked by a A.D. 261 inscription. - Al-Tawalbeh et. al. (2020:10)
Collapsed Staircases	Staircases Figure 4 Major parts of a Roman theater. It is mostly the shape of Beit-Ras/Capitolias theater at the time of construction. Modified after Fayyad and Karasneh (2004), Karasneh and Fayyad (2005), and Sears (2006), and our field observation. Al-Tawalbeh et. al. (2020)	Figure 5 Theater plan and the position of the observed damage features. Most of the locations' damage features are marked in the drawing. Al-Tawalbeh et. al. (2020)	Al-Tawalbeh et. al. (2020:6) dated damage of the staircases to the pre 260/261 CE event

2nd earthquake - 3rd-5th century CE

Effect	Location	Image(s)	Description
tilting of the rebuilt scaenae wall	scaenae wall Figure 4 Major parts of a Roman theater. It is mostly the shape of Beit-Ras/Capitolias theater at the time of construction. Modified after Fayyad and Karasneh (2004), Karasneh and Fayyad (2005), and Sears (2006), and our field observation. Al-Tawalbeh et. al. (2020)	Fig. 8a Figure 8 Deformation of scaena: scaena tilted toward the viewer and is supported by the buttress vertical wall (city wall) out-of-plane shift of blocks of scaena blocks sequentially shifted to the right, in direction of tilting extreme tilt of scaena, segment supported by buttress vertical wall (city wall) Al-Tawalbeh et. al. (2020) Figure 5 Theater plan and the position of the observed damage features. Most of the locations' damage features are marked in the drawing. Al-Tawalbeh et. al. (2020)	The second earthquake activity resulted in tilting of the rebuilt scaenae wall. As a result, the upper two-thirds collapsed, and the vaulted corridors were totally demolished, which were never to be restored again. - Al-Tawalbeh et. al. (2020:14)
collapse of the upper two-thirds of scaenae wall	scaenae wall Figure 4 Major parts of a Roman theater. It is mostly the shape of Beit-Ras/Capitolias theater at the time of construction. Modified after Fayyad and Karasneh (2004), Karasneh and Fayyad (2005), and Sears (2006), and our field observation. Al-Tawalbeh et. al. (2020)	Figure 5 Theater plan and the position of the observed damage features. Most of the locations' damage features are marked in the drawing. Al-Tawalbeh et. al. (2020)	The second earthquake activity resulted in tilting of the rebuilt scaenae wall. As a result, the upper two-thirds collapsed, and the vaulted corridors were totally demolished, which were never to be restored again. - Al-Tawalbeh et. al. (2020:14)
vaulted corridors totally demolished	vaulted corridors Figure 4 Major parts of a Roman theater. It is mostly the shape of Beit-Ras/Capitolias theater at the time of construction. Modified after Fayyad and Karasneh (2004), Karasneh and Fayyad (2005), and Sears (2006), and our field observation. Al-Tawalbeh et. al. (2020)	Figure 5 Theater plan and the position of the observed damage features. Most of the locations' damage features are marked in the drawing. Al-Tawalbeh et. al. (2020)	The second earthquake activity resulted in tilting of the rebuilt scaenae wall. As a result, the upper two-thirds collapsed, and the vaulted corridors were totally demolished, which were never to be restored again. - Al-Tawalbeh et. al. (2020:14)
Shifted blocks and extensional gaps	Figure 4 Major parts of a Roman theater. It is mostly the shape of Beit-Ras/Capitolias theater at the time of construction. Modified after Fayyad and Karasneh (2004), Karasneh and Fayyad (2005), and Sears (2006), and our field observation. Al-Tawalbeh et. al. (2020)	Fig. 8 b&c Figure 8 Deformation of scaena: scaena tilted toward the viewer and is supported by the buttress vertical wall (city wall) out-of-plane shift of blocks of scaena blocks sequentially shifted to the right, in direction of tilting extreme tilt of scaena, segment supported by buttress vertical wall (city wall) Al-Tawalbeh et. al. (2020) Figure 5 Theater plan and the position of the observed damage features. Most of the locations' damage features are marked in the drawing. Al-Tawalbeh et. al. (2020)

mid 8th Century CE Earthquake

Effect	Location	Image(s)	Description
Tumble from a collapsed wall	Tumble originated from Wall WV and is located below Floor F III Figure 5 Trench in Areas 1-S and 1-S(W). Key light grey — floors hatched — mosaic floor of the winery (PCMA Beit Ras Project/drawing M Drzewiecki [2015], drawing and digitizing M Burdajewicz [2015-2016] Mlynarczyk (2017)	Figure 10 Blocks tumbled from wall W K with part of floor F III above, view facing east (PCM/1 Belt Ras Project/photo J. Mlynarczyk) Mlynarczyk (2017)	[Floor] F III rested in part upon quake-related debris of mostly regular limestone blocks tumbled in a northerly direction, doubtlessly from [Wall] W V [Fig. 10 - above]. - Mlynarczyk (2017:484)
Tumble from a collapsed wall	space between [Walls] W II and W III in the northeastern part of the trench Figure 5 Trench in Areas 1-S and 1-S(W). Key light grey — floors hatched — mosaic floor of the winery (PCMA Beit Ras Project/drawing M Drzewiecki [2015], drawing and digitizing M Burdajewicz [2015-2016] Mlynarczyk (2017)		The space between [Walls] W II and W III in the northeastern part of the trench was found filled with ashlars tumbled from the wall(s). - Mlynarczyk (2017:489)

1st and 2nd earthquake combined

Distinguishing Seismic Effects for individual events

Al-Tawalbeh et. al. (2020:14) distinguished seismic effects as follows:

The first major proposed earthquake may be responsible for the destruction of the annular passageway (ambulatorium), which was followed by a reconstruction that was marked by a A.D. 261 inscription. However, a definitive judgment on the time separating the first earthquake occurrence from its subsequent reconstruction, which was evidently concluded in a documentary or celebrational activity, is difficult to support.

The second earthquake activity resulted in tilting of the rebuilt scaenae wall. As a result, the upper two-thirds collapsed, and the vaulted corridors were totally demolished, which were never to be restored again.

Seismic Effects Table

Damage Type	Event	Plan(s)	Figure	Comments
Displaced Arches	?⁴	Figure 4 Major parts of a Roman theater. It is mostly the shape of Beit-Ras/Capitolias theater at the time of construction. Modified after Fayyad and Karasneh (2004), Karasneh and Fayyad (2005), and Sears (2006), and our field observation. Al-Tawalbeh et. al. (2020) Figure 5 Theater plan and the position of the observed damage features. Most of the locations' damage features are marked in the drawing. Al-Tawalbeh et. al. (2020)	6a Figure 6a Damage features within displaced arches: dropped blocks of the flat arch, east door in scaena Al-Tawalbeh et. al. (2020)	The flat arches are seen as the lintel arches above the stage gates (Fig. 6a) (Al-Tawalbeh et. al., 2020:4)¹
Displaced Arches	?⁴	Figure 4 Major parts of a Roman theater. It is mostly the shape of Beit-Ras/Capitolias theater at the time of construction. Modified after Fayyad and Karasneh (2004), Karasneh and Fayyad (2005), and Sears (2006), and our field observation. Al-Tawalbeh et. al. (2020) Figure 5 Theater plan and the position of the observed damage features. Most of the locations' damage features are marked in the drawing. Al-Tawalbeh et. al. (2020)	6b Figure 6b dropped blocks of the flat arch of the eastern stage gate (versura) Al-Tawalbeh et. al. (2020)	The eastern stage gate (versurae), trending north-south, has a flat arch and a stress-releasing segmental arch above, where two stones of the flat arch dropped down almost 3 cm (Fig. 6b) (Al-Tawalbeh et. al., 2020:4)¹
Displaced Arches	?⁴	Figure 4 Major parts of a Roman theater. It is mostly the shape of Beit-Ras/Capitolias theater at the time of construction. Modified after Fayyad and Karasneh (2004), Karasneh and Fayyad (2005), and Sears (2006), and our field observation. Al-Tawalbeh et. al. (2020) Figure 5 Theater plan and the position of the observed damage features. Most of the locations' damage features are marked in the drawing. Al-Tawalbeh et. al. (2020)	6c Figure 6c dropped blocks of the flat arch of vomitorium, small spaces between the stones formed due to the ground shaking Al-Tawalbeh et. al. (2020)	The flat arches of most vomitoria to the cavea also are dropped down (Fig. 6c) (Al-Tawalbeh et. al., 2020:4)¹
Displaced Arches	?⁴	Figure 4 Major parts of a Roman theater. It is mostly the shape of Beit-Ras/Capitolias theater at the time of construction. Modified after Fayyad and Karasneh (2004), Karasneh and Fayyad (2005), and Sears (2006), and our field observation. Al-Tawalbeh et. al. (2020) Figure 5 Theater plan and the position of the observed damage features. Most of the locations' damage features are marked in the drawing. Al-Tawalbeh et. al. (2020)	6d Figure 6d dropped keystone of the stress-releasing segmental arch above eastern stage gate (versura) Al-Tawalbeh et. al. (2020)	The keystone of the segmental arch above is also dropped down —4 cm. (Fig. 6d) (Al-Tawalbeh et. al., 2020:4)¹
Chipped corners and edges of ashlars	?⁵	Figure 4 Major parts of a Roman theater. It is mostly the shape of Beit-Ras/Capitolias theater at the time of construction. Modified after Fayyad and Karasneh (2004), Karasneh and Fayyad (2005), and Sears (2006), and our field observation. Al-Tawalbeh et. al. (2020) Figure 5 Theater plan and the position of the observed damage features. Most of the locations' damage features are marked in the drawing. Al-Tawalbeh et. al. (2020)	7 Figure 7 Chipped corners and edges of stones: (a,b) back part of the western orchestra gate (c) front part of the western orchestra gate (d) some parts of the eastern orchestra gate. The edges of blocks cracked and spalled off. Al-Tawalbeh et. al. (2020)	The orchestra gates display spectacular examples [of chipped corners] (Fig. 7), suggesting seismic intensity of VII or more (Rodríguez-Pascua et al, 2013:221-224). (Al-Tawalbeh et. al., 2020:5)² A subsequent earthquake cracked the ashlars of the gate, causing stone spalling and breaking off. (Al-Tawalbeh et. al., 2020:7)
Tilted and Collapsed Walls	after 260/261 CE	Figure 4 Major parts of a Roman theater. It is mostly the shape of Beit-Ras/Capitolias theater at the time of construction. Modified after Fayyad and Karasneh (2004), Karasneh and Fayyad (2005), and Sears (2006), and our field observation. Al-Tawalbeh et. al. (2020) Figure 5 Theater plan and the position of the observed damage features. Most of the locations' damage features are marked in the drawing. Al-Tawalbeh et. al. (2020)	8 Figure 8 Deformation of scaena: scaena tilted toward the viewer and is supported by the buttress vertical wall (city wall) out-of-plane shift of blocks of scaena blocks sequentially shifted to the right, in direction of tilting extreme tilt of scaena, segment supported by buttress vertical wall (city wall) Al-Tawalbeh et. al. (2020)	Figure 8 shows a deviation of the scaenae wall from the vertical toward the north by 8°. (Al-Tawalbeh et. al., 2020:5)
Tilted and Collapsed Walls	after 260/261 CE	Figure 4 Major parts of a Roman theater. It is mostly the shape of Beit-Ras/Capitolias theater at the time of construction. Modified after Fayyad and Karasneh (2004), Karasneh and Fayyad (2005), and Sears (2006), and our field observation. Al-Tawalbeh et. al. (2020) Figure 5 Theater plan and the position of the observed damage features. Most of the locations' damage features are marked in the drawing. Al-Tawalbeh et. al. (2020)	5 Figure 5 Theater plan and the position of the observed damage features. Most of the locations' damage features are marked in the drawing. Al-Tawalbeh et. al. (2020) 8 Figure 8 Deformation of scaena: scaena tilted toward the viewer and is supported by the buttress vertical wall (city wall) out-of-plane shift of blocks of scaena blocks sequentially shifted to the right, in direction of tilting extreme tilt of scaena, segment supported by buttress vertical wall (city wall) Al-Tawalbeh et. al. (2020)	a vertical buttress wall (portion of the city wall) was erected behind the tilted scaenae wall (Figs. 5 and 8). (Al-Tawalbeh et. al., 2020:5)³
Shifted blocks and extensional gaps	after 260/261 CE	Figure 4 Major parts of a Roman theater. It is mostly the shape of Beit-Ras/Capitolias theater at the time of construction. Modified after Fayyad and Karasneh (2004), Karasneh and Fayyad (2005), and Sears (2006), and our field observation. Al-Tawalbeh et. al. (2020) Figure 5 Theater plan and the position of the observed damage features. Most of the locations' damage features are marked in the drawing. Al-Tawalbeh et. al. (2020)	8 b&c Figure 8 Deformation of scaena: scaena tilted toward the viewer and is supported by the buttress vertical wall (city wall) out-of-plane shift of blocks of scaena blocks sequentially shifted to the right, in direction of tilting extreme tilt of scaena, segment supported by buttress vertical wall (city wall) Al-Tawalbeh et. al. (2020)	A number of out-of-plane extruded and shifted blocks are observed and developed across single or multiple masonry courses (Fig. 8b,c). Such features are typically associated with intervening gaps produced due to shaking directed at high angle to the wall (Kazmer, 2014), suggesting an intensity range of IX-XII (Rodríguez-Pascua et al, 2013:221-224). (Al-Tawalbeh et. al., 2020:5)
Collapsed Staircases	before 260/261 CE and after 260/261 CE	Figure 4 Major parts of a Roman theater. It is mostly the shape of Beit-Ras/Capitolias theater at the time of construction. Modified after Fayyad and Karasneh (2004), Karasneh and Fayyad (2005), and Sears (2006), and our field observation. Al-Tawalbeh et. al. (2020) Figure 5 Theater plan and the position of the observed damage features. Most of the locations' damage features are marked in the drawing. Al-Tawalbeh et. al. (2020)	5 Figure 5 Theater plan and the position of the observed damage features. Most of the locations' damage features are marked in the drawing. Al-Tawalbeh et. al. (2020)	Al-Tawalbeh et. al. (2020:6) notes that the staircases were rebuilt after the first damaging event (before 260/261 CE); presumably with locally derived marly-chalky limestone associated with the rebuild rather than the better quality imported phosphatic limestone associated with original construction. This would indicate that the collapsed staircases presently observed collapsed a second time after another (not necessarily the 2nd) damaging event - location of the collapsed staircases is shown in the bottom left and bottom right of Figure 5.

Footnotes

1 Masonry arches are common above openings in walls, spanning wall openings by diverting vertical loads from above to compressive stress laterally (Dym and Williams, 2010). Dropped arches in a masonry building indicate an EAE having an earthquake intensity of VII or higher (Rodríguez-Pascua et al, 2013:221-224). (Al-Tawalbeh et. al., 2020:5).

2 Chipping of stone corners can occur during ground motion at any structure, especially the ones with well-cut and sharp-edged blocks. This is because a large pressure is applied more on the corners than other parts (Marco, 2008). (Al-Tawalbeh et. al., 2020:5)

3 The normal elevation of the scaenae is presumed to be the same as the colonnade on top of the cavea or even higher (i.e., almost 13 m). Today, only the lower 5.2 m of the scaenae is preserved. Tilted and collapsed archaeological walls suggested an EAE seismic intensity range of IX and higher (Rodríguez-Pascua et al, 2013:221-224). (Al-Tawalbeh et. al., 2020:5)

4 Arches oriented ~N-S are shown in Figure 6 b&d while arches oriented ~E-W are shown in Figure 6 a&c. The two orientations would likely reflect arch damage from two separate events since as noted by Al-Tawalbeh et. al., (2020:10), usually an arch stone drop occurs when ground motion is parallel to the trend of the arches ( Hinzen et al., 2016; Martin-Gonzalez, 2018) or if it is ±45° to their strike ( Rodriguez-Pascua et al., 2011). Since Al-Tawalbeh et. al., (2020:8) note that the severely damaged vomitoria arches were left unrepaired after the second earthquake event, this might suggest that these E-W trending arches were damaged in the second event and the ~N-S trending arches were damaged in the first event. However, Al-Tawalbeh (personal communication, 2021) cautioned that it was not possible to date the arch damage noting, for example, that some arch damage could have occurred after the building of the buttress wall and not be attributable to either the mid 3rd century CE earthquake or the 3rd-5th century CE earthquake. Thus, while the varied orientations of the arches do indicate damage from more than one event, it is not possible to assign a date to that damage at this time. It should also be noted that dropped keystones are also present in ~NW and ~NNW trending arches of the vomitoria which can be observed in the Plan of the Capitolias Theater with damage locations (Fig. 5 of Al-Tawalbeh et al, 2020). This might suggest arch damage in more than two events.

Plan of the Capitolias Theater with damage locations

Figure 5

Theater plan and the position of the observed damage features. Most of the locations' damage features are marked in the drawing.

Al-Tawalbeh et. al. (2020)

from Al-Tawalbeh et. al. (2020)

5 Al-Tawalbeh et. al. (2020:7) notes that a subsequent earthquake cracked the ashlars of the gate, causing stone spalling and breaking off. where the gate is the eastern aditus maximus where the dedicatory inscription is located. The subsequent earthquake is not dated. It is entirely possible however that the spalling occurred during the pre 260/261 CE earthquake.

1st earthquake - mid 3rd century CE

Modified by JW from Fig. 5 of Al-Tawalbeh et. al. (2020)

Deformation Map

Modified by JW from Fig. 5 of Al-Tawalbeh et. al. (2020)

2nd earthquake - 3rd-5th century CE

Modified by JW from Fig. 5 of Al-Tawalbeh et. al. (2020)

Deformation Map

Modified by JW from Fig. 5 of Al-Tawalbeh et. al. (2020)

mid 8th Century CE Earthquake

Modified by JW from Fig. 5 of Mlynarczyk (2017)

Deformation Map

Modified by JW from Fig. 5 of Mlynarczyk (2017)

1st earthquake - mid 3rd century CE

Intensity Estimate from the Earthquake Archaeological Effects (EAE) Chart

Earthquake Archeological Effects chart

Earthquake Archeological Effects (EAE)

Rodríguez-Pascua et al (2013: 221-224)

of Rodríguez-Pascua et al (2013: 221-224)

Effect	Location	Image(s)	Description	Intensity
perimeter corridor, ambulacrum, and scaenae damaged beyond repair - Collapsed Walls and Vaults	perimeter corridor, ambulacrum, and the scaenae Figure 4 Major parts of a Roman theater. It is mostly the shape of Beit-Ras/Capitolias theater at the time of construction. Modified after Fayyad and Karasneh (2004), Karasneh and Fayyad (2005), and Sears (2006), and our field observation. Al-Tawalbeh et. al. (2020)	Figure 5 Theater plan and the position of the observed damage features. Most of the locations' damage features are marked in the drawing. Al-Tawalbeh et. al. (2020)	It can be understood that the original theater was heavily damaged by an earthquake, where the perimeter corridor, the ambulacrum, the staircases, and the scaenae were damaged beyond repair, whereas the lateral portions of the cavea survived, including the eastern arched gate of the aditus maximus. - Al-Tawalbeh et. al. (2020:6) The ambulacrum was never restored, while the scaenae was rebuilt, but from stones of inferior quality. The idea that the ambulacrum collapsed previously is further evidenced by the walling up with chalk limestone masonry on four of the six vomitoria. This was probably done at the same time as when the eastern gate was walled up. - Al-Tawalbeh et. al. (2020:7)	VIII +
destruction of the annular passageway (ambulatorium) - Collapsed Walls	ambulatorium Figure 4 Major parts of a Roman theater. It is mostly the shape of Beit-Ras/Capitolias theater at the time of construction. Modified after Fayyad and Karasneh (2004), Karasneh and Fayyad (2005), and Sears (2006), and our field observation. Al-Tawalbeh et. al. (2020)	Figure 5 Theater plan and the position of the observed damage features. Most of the locations' damage features are marked in the drawing. Al-Tawalbeh et. al. (2020)	The first major proposed earthquake may be responsible for the destruction of the annular passageway (ambulatorium), which was followed by a reconstruction that was marked by a A.D. 261 inscription. - Al-Tawalbeh et. al. (2020:10)	VIII +
Collapsed Staircases - Collapsed Walls	Staircases Figure 4 Major parts of a Roman theater. It is mostly the shape of Beit-Ras/Capitolias theater at the time of construction. Modified after Fayyad and Karasneh (2004), Karasneh and Fayyad (2005), and Sears (2006), and our field observation. Al-Tawalbeh et. al. (2020)	Figure 5 Theater plan and the position of the observed damage features. Most of the locations' damage features are marked in the drawing. Al-Tawalbeh et. al. (2020)	Al-Tawalbeh et. al. (2020:6) dated damage of the staircases to the pre 260/261 CE event	VIII +

The archeoseismic evidence requires a minimum Intensity of VIII (8) when using the Earthquake Archeological Effects chart of Rodríguez-Pascua et al (2013: 221-224).

Al-Tawalbeh et al (2020)'s Intensity Estimate

In the abstract, Al-Tawalbeh et al, (2020) suggests a local Intensity of VIII-IX (8-9) for both the mid 3rd century CE earthquake and the 3rd-5th century CE earthquake. Al-Tawalbeh (personal communication, 2021) estimated intensity of close to IX (9) for the mid 3rd century CE earthquake based on collapse of the ambulatorium.

2nd earthquake - 3rd-5th century CE

Intensity Estimate from the Earthquake Archaeological Effects (EAE) Chart

Earthquake Archeological Effects chart

Earthquake Archeological Effects (EAE)

Rodríguez-Pascua et al (2013: 221-224)

of Rodríguez-Pascua et al (2013: 221-224)

Effect	Location	Image(s)	Description	Intensity
tilting of the rebuilt scaenae wall	scaenae wall Figure 4 Major parts of a Roman theater. It is mostly the shape of Beit-Ras/Capitolias theater at the time of construction. Modified after Fayyad and Karasneh (2004), Karasneh and Fayyad (2005), and Sears (2006), and our field observation. Al-Tawalbeh et. al. (2020)	Fig. 8a Figure 8 Deformation of scaena: scaena tilted toward the viewer and is supported by the buttress vertical wall (city wall) out-of-plane shift of blocks of scaena blocks sequentially shifted to the right, in direction of tilting extreme tilt of scaena, segment supported by buttress vertical wall (city wall) Al-Tawalbeh et. al. (2020) Figure 5 Theater plan and the position of the observed damage features. Most of the locations' damage features are marked in the drawing. Al-Tawalbeh et. al. (2020)	The second earthquake activity resulted in tilting of the rebuilt scaenae wall. As a result, the upper two-thirds collapsed, and the vaulted corridors were totally demolished, which were never to be restored again. - Al-Tawalbeh et. al. (2020:14)	VI+
collapse of the upper two-thirds of scaenae wall	scaenae wall Figure 4 Major parts of a Roman theater. It is mostly the shape of Beit-Ras/Capitolias theater at the time of construction. Modified after Fayyad and Karasneh (2004), Karasneh and Fayyad (2005), and Sears (2006), and our field observation. Al-Tawalbeh et. al. (2020)	Figure 5 Theater plan and the position of the observed damage features. Most of the locations' damage features are marked in the drawing. Al-Tawalbeh et. al. (2020)	The second earthquake activity resulted in tilting of the rebuilt scaenae wall. As a result, the upper two-thirds collapsed, and the vaulted corridors were totally demolished, which were never to be restored again. - Al-Tawalbeh et. al. (2020:14)	VIII+
Collapsed Vaults - vaulted corridors totally demolished	vaulted corridors Figure 4 Major parts of a Roman theater. It is mostly the shape of Beit-Ras/Capitolias theater at the time of construction. Modified after Fayyad and Karasneh (2004), Karasneh and Fayyad (2005), and Sears (2006), and our field observation. Al-Tawalbeh et. al. (2020)	Figure 5 Theater plan and the position of the observed damage features. Most of the locations' damage features are marked in the drawing. Al-Tawalbeh et. al. (2020)	The second earthquake activity resulted in tilting of the rebuilt scaenae wall. As a result, the upper two-thirds collapsed, and the vaulted corridors were totally demolished, which were never to be restored again. - Al-Tawalbeh et. al. (2020:14)	VIII+
Displaced masonry blocks - Shifted blocks and extensional gaps	Figure 4 Major parts of a Roman theater. It is mostly the shape of Beit-Ras/Capitolias theater at the time of construction. Modified after Fayyad and Karasneh (2004), Karasneh and Fayyad (2005), and Sears (2006), and our field observation. Al-Tawalbeh et. al. (2020)	Fig. 8 b&c Figure 8 Deformation of scaena: scaena tilted toward the viewer and is supported by the buttress vertical wall (city wall) out-of-plane shift of blocks of scaena blocks sequentially shifted to the right, in direction of tilting extreme tilt of scaena, segment supported by buttress vertical wall (city wall) Al-Tawalbeh et. al. (2020) Figure 5 Theater plan and the position of the observed damage features. Most of the locations' damage features are marked in the drawing. Al-Tawalbeh et. al. (2020)		VIII+

The archeoseismic evidence requires a minimum Intensity of VIII (8) when using the Earthquake Archeological Effects chart of Rodríguez-Pascua et al (2013: 221-224).

Al-Tawalbeh et al (2020)'s Intensity Estimate

In the abstract, Al-Tawalbeh et al, (2020) suggests a local Intensity of VIII-IX (8-9) for both the mid 3rd century CE earthquake and the 3rd-5th century CE earthquake. Al-Tawalbeh (personal communication, 2021) confirmed an estimated intensity of VIII-IX (8-9) for the 3rd-5th century CE earthquake largely based on the collapse and tilting of the scaenae.

mid 8th Century CE Earthquake

Earthquake Archeological Effects chart

Earthquake Archeological Effects (EAE)

Rodríguez-Pascua et al (2013: 221-224)

of Rodríguez-Pascua et al (2013: 221-224)

Effect	Location	Image(s)	Description	Intensity
Tumble from a collapsed wall	Tumble originated from Wall WV and is located below Floor F III Figure 5 Trench in Areas 1-S and 1-S(W). Key light grey — floors hatched — mosaic floor of the winery (PCMA Beit Ras Project/drawing M Drzewiecki [2015], drawing and digitizing M Burdajewicz [2015-2016] Mlynarczyk (2017)	Figure 10 Blocks tumbled from wall W K with part of floor F III above, view facing east (PCM/1 Belt Ras Project/photo J. Mlynarczyk) Mlynarczyk (2017)	[Floor] F III rested in part upon quake-related debris of mostly regular limestone blocks tumbled in a northerly direction, doubtlessly from [Wall] W V [Fig. 10 - above]. - Mlynarczyk (2017:484)	VIII+
Tumble from a collapsed wall	space between [Walls] W II and W III in the northeastern part of the trench Figure 5 Trench in Areas 1-S and 1-S(W). Key light grey — floors hatched — mosaic floor of the winery (PCMA Beit Ras Project/drawing M Drzewiecki [2015], drawing and digitizing M Burdajewicz [2015-2016] Mlynarczyk (2017)		The space between [Walls] W II and W III in the northeastern part of the trench was found filled with ashlars tumbled from the wall(s). - Mlynarczyk (2017:489)	VIII+

The archeoseismic evidence requires a minimum Intensity of VIII (8) when using the Earthquake Archeological Effects chart of Rodríguez-Pascua et al (2013: 221-224).

Site Effect

There are no obvious indications that this location should be subject to a site effect such as a ridge effect or due to soft ground. In modeling potential causitive earthquakes from the historical record Al-Tawalbeh et al, (2020:11) used the attenuation relationship of Hough and Avni (2009) with the added site effect of Darvasi and Agnon (2019). Their V_S30 values in these simulations ranged from 360-800 m/s.

References

Articles and Books

Al-Shami, A. (2003). Beit Ras Irbid Archeological Project 2002, Ann. Dept. Antiq. Jordan 47, 93-104 (in Arabic).

Al-Shami, A. (2004). Bayt Ras Irbid Archaeological Project 2002, Ann. Dept. Antiq. Jordan 48, 11-22 (in Arabic).

Al-Shami, A. (2005). A new discovery at Bayt-Ras/Capitolias - Irbid, Ann. Dept. Antiq. Jordan 49, 509-519 (in Arabic).

Al-Tawalbeh, M., M. Kazmer, R Jaradat, K. Al-Bashaireh, A. Gharaibeh, B. Khrisat, and A. Al-Rawabdeh (2019). Archaeoseismic analysis of the Roman-Early Byzantine earthquakes in Capitolias (Beit-Ras) theater of Jordan, 7th International Colloquium on Historical Earthquakes and Paleoseismology Studies, 4-6 November 2019, Barcelona, Spain, 19 pp.

Al-Tawalbeh, M., et al. (2020). "Two Inferred Antique Earthquake Phases Recorded in the Roman Theater of Beit‐Ras/Capitolias (Jordan)." Seismological Research Letters: 1-19.

Anastasio, S., P. Gilento, and R. Parenti (2016). Ancient buildings and masonry techniques in the Southern Hauran, Jordan, J. E. Mediterr. Archaeol. Herit. Stud. 4, no. 4, 299-320.

Bader, N., and J. B. Yon (2018). Une inscription du theater de Bayt Ras/Capitolias, Syria 95, 155-168 (in French).

Dodge, H. (2009). Amphitheaters in the Roman East, in Roman Amphitheaters and Spectacula: A 21st-Century Perspective (Papers from an international conference held at Chester), T. Wilmott (Editor), BAR International Series, 16th-18th February, 2007, 29-46.

Dym, C. L., and H. E. Williams (2010). Stress and displacement estimates for arches, J. Struct. Eng. 137, no. 1, 49-58.

Fayyad, S., and W. Karasneh (2004). Archaeological excavation in Beit Ras theater, from 1st season to fifth season, Ann. Dept. Antiq. Jordan 48, 67-75 (in Arabic).

Frezouls, E. (1959). Recherches sur les theatres de l'Orient syrien: Probleme schronologiques, Syria 36, nos. 3/4, 202-228 (in French).

Glueck, N. (1951). Explorations in Eastern Palestine IV, Ann. Am. Schools Orient. Res. 18, 25-28.

Hashash, Y. M. A., et al. (2001). "SEISMIC DESIGN AND ANALYSIS OF UNDERGROUND STRUCTURES." Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology 16: 247-293.

Jaradat, R, K. Al-Bashaireh, A. Al-Rawabdeh, A. Gharaibeh, and B. Khrisat (2019). Mapping archaeoseismic damages across Jordan (MADAJ), 2nd International Congress on Archaeological Sciences in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East, The Cyprus Institute, Nicosia, Cyprus, 12-14 November 2019.

Karasneh, W., K. al-Rousan, and J. Telfah (2002). New discovery in Jordan at Beit-Ras region (ancient Capitolias), Occident Orient 7, no. 1, 9-10.

Karasneh, W., and S. Fayyad (2004). Archaeological excavations at Beit Ras theater, working stages from the first season to the fifth season, Ann. Dept. Antiq. Jordan 48, 67-75 (in Arabic).

Karasneh, W., and S. Fayyad (2005). Beit Ras theater, Ann. Dept. Antiq. Jordan 49, 39-45 (in Arabic).

Lenzen, CJ., Gordon, R.L., and McQuitty, A.M. (1985). Tell Irbid and Beit Ras excavations, 1985. Annual of the Department of Antiquities ofJordan, 29, 151-160

Lenzen, C.J. and Knauf, E.A. (1987). Beit Ras/Capitolias. A preliminary evaluation of the archaeological and textual evidence. Syria, 64(1), 21-46

Lenzen, C.J. (1990). Beit Ras excavations: 1988 and 1989. In Chronique archeologique. Syria, 67(2), 474-476

Lenzen, C.J. (1995). Continuity or discontinuity: urban change or demise? In S. Bourke and J.-P. Descoeudres (eds), Trade, contact, and the movement of peoples in the eastern Mediterranean: Studies in honour of J. Basil Hennessy [Mediterranean Archaeology Supplement 3] (pp. 325-331). Sydney: Meditarch

Lenzen, C.J. (2000). Seeking contextual definitions for places: the case of north-western Jordan. Mediterranean Archaeology, 13, 11-24

Lenzen, C.J. (2002). Kapitolias — Die vergessene Stadt im Norden. In A. Hoffmann and S. Kerner (eds), Gadara - Gerasa and die Dekapolis (pp. 36-44). Mainz am Rhein: Philipp von Zabern

Lenzen, C.J. (2003). Ethnic identity at Beit Ras/Capitolias and Umm al-Jimal. Mediterranean Archaeology, 16, 73—87

Lucke, B., et al. (2012). "Questioning Transjordan’s historic desertification: A critical review of the paradigm of ‘Empty Lands’." Levant 44(1): 101-126.

Mlynarczyk, J. (2018). Archaeological investigations in Bayt Ras, ancient Capitolias, 2015: Preliminary report, Ann. Dept. Antiq. Jordan 59, 175-192.

Retzleff, A. (2003). New eastern theaters in Late Antiquity, Phoenix 57, nos. 1/2, 115-138.

Schiffer, M. B. (1986). "Radiocarbon Dating and the "Old Wood" Problem: the Case of the Hohokam Chronology." Journal of Archaeological Science 13: 13-30.

Sear, F. (2006). Roman Theaters: An Architectural Study, Oxford University Press, New York

Segal, A. (1981). Roman cities in the province of Arabia, J. Soc. Archit. Hist. 40, no. 2, 108-121.

Spijkerman, A. (1978). The Coins of the Decapolis and Provincia Arabia, M. Piccirillo (Editor), Franciscan Printing Press, Jerusalem, Israel, 322 pp.

Stager, L. E., J. Greene, and M. D. Coogan (2000). The archaeology of Jordan and beyond: Essays in honor of James A. Sauer, J. Am. Orient. Soc. 121, no. 4, 690-691.

Hinzen, K. G., et al. (2016). "Quantifying Earthquake Effects on Ancient Arches, Example: The Kalat Nimrod Fortress, Dead Sea Fault Zone." Seismological Research Letters.

Martín-González, F. (2018). "Earthquake damage orientation to infer seismic parameters in archaeological sites and historical earthquakes." Tectonophysics.

Rodriguez-Pascua, M., et al. (2011). "A comprehensive classification of Earthquake Archaeological Effects (EAE) in archaeoseismology: Application to ancient remains of Roman and Mesoamerican cultures." Quaternary International 242: 20-30.

Excavation Reports

Mlynarczyk, J. (2017). Beit Ras/Capitolias: An archaeological project 2014-2016, Pol. Archaeol. Mediterr. 1, no. 26, 475-506.

Websites

Beit Ras/Capitolias: an archaeological project 2014–2016 website

Beit Ras/Capitolias excavation website

Bibliography from Meyers et al (1997)

Works by the nineteenth-century explorers and travelers mentioned in this entry are not listed below. These works are available only in university or other specialized libraries.

Glueck, Nelson. Explorations in Eastern Palestine, Vol. 4. Annual of the American Schools of Oriental Research, 25/28. New Haven, 1951.

Lenzen, C. J., et al. "Excavations at Tell Irbid and Beit Ras, 1985." Annual of the Department of Antiquities of Jordan 29 (1985): 151—159.

Lenzen, C. J. "Tall Irbid and Bait Ras. " Archivfur Orientforschung 33 (1986): 164-166.

Lenzen, C. J., and E. Axel Knauf. "Tell Irbid and Beit Ras, 1983- 1986." Liber Annuus/StudiiBibliciFranciscani 36 (1986): 361-363.

Lenzen, C. J., and E. Axel Knauf. "Beit Ras-Capitolias: A Preliminary Evaluation of the Archaeological and Textual Evidence." Syria 64 (1987): 21-46.

Lenzen, C. J., and Alison M . McQuitty. "Th e 1984 Survey of the Irbid/ Beit Ras Region." Annual of the Department of Antiquities of Jordan 32 (1988): 265-274.

Lenzen, C.J. "Beit Ras Excavations, 1988 and 1989." Syria 67 (1990): 474-476.

Lenzen, C. J. "The Integration of the Data Bases—Archaeology and History: A Case in Point, Bayt Ras. " In Bilad al-Sham during the Abbasid Period; Proceedings of the Fifth Bilad al-Sham Conference, vol. 2, edited by Muhamma d Adnan al-Bakhit and Robert Schick, pp . 160-178. Amman, 1992.

Lenzen, C. J. "Irbid and Beit Ras: Interconnected Settlements between c. A.D. 100-900." In Studies in the History and Archaeology of Jordan, vol. 4, edited by Ghazi Bisheh, pp. 299-307, Amman, 1992.

Wikipedia page for Capitolias

from wikipedia