Joukowsky and Basile (2001:50), using a different phasing than Joukowsky (2009), discussed archeoseismic evidence from the early 2nd century CE at the Great Temple.
Dated to the mid-second century, Nabataean-Roman Phase IV follows a minor collapse when the uppermost course of the propylaea stairs was built to provide access to the Lower Temenos, and when the Lower Temenos east cryptoportico, which may have seen collapse, was filled in.
Joukowsky (2009) attributed the Phase IX earthquake to the southern Cyril Quake of 363 CE.
Although Joukowsky (2009) attributed seismic destruction to the 551 CE Beirut Quake, the epicenter of this earthquake was too far from Petra (almost 400 km.) to have caused such damage. The Inscription at Areopolis Quake is a more likely candidate.
Joukowsky (2009) listed a series of major collapses
in the Islamic Period.
minor collapse when the uppermost course of the propylaea stairs was built(Joukowsky and Basile, 2001).
Damage to Propylaeum West(Joukowsky, 2009)
Repairs to Lower Temenos(Joukowsky, 2009)
Baroque Room Collapse(Joukowsky, 2009)
Collapse of the Propylaeum(Joukowsky, 2009)
Collapse of the Lower Temenos West Triple Collonade(Joukowsky, 2009)
West Cryptoporticus Collapse(Joukowsky, 2009)
Further Collapse(Joukowsky, 2009)
East Triple Collonade Collapse(Joukowsky, 2009)
West Entry Stairs Collapse(Joukowsky, 2009)
Temple East Porch Column Collapse(Joukowsky, 2009)
Series of Major Collapsesin the Islamic Period (Joukowsky, 2009)
Effect | Description | Intensity |
---|---|---|
Displaced Walls | minor collapse when the uppermost course of the propylaea stairs was built(Joukowsky and Basile, 2001). |
VII+ |
Displaced Walls | Damage to Propylaeum West(Joukowsky, 2009) |
VII+ |
Displaced Walls ? | Repairs to Lower Temenos(Joukowsky, 2009) |
VII+ |
Collapsed Walls | Baroque Room Collapse(Joukowsky, 2009) |
VIII+ |
Effect | Description | Intensity |
---|---|---|
Displaced Walls | Collapse of the Propylaeum(Joukowsky, 2009) |
VII+ |
Fallen Columns | Collapse of the Lower Temenos West Triple Collonade(Joukowsky, 2009) |
V+ |
Collapsed Vaults | West Cryptoporticus Collapse(Joukowsky, 2009) |
VIII+ |
Effect | Description | Intensity |
---|---|---|
Fallen Columns | East Triple Collonade Collapse(Joukowsky, 2009) |
V+ |
Folded Step and kerbs | West Entry Stairs Collapse(Joukowsky, 2009) |
VI+ |
Fallen Columns | Temple East Porch Column Collapse(Joukowsky, 2009) |
V+ |
Articles and Books
Joukowsky, M. S. and J. J. Basile (2001). "More Pieces in the Petra Great Temple Puzzle." Bulletin of the American Schools of Oriental Research(324): 43-58.
Joukowsky, M. S. 2009. Surprises at the Petra Great Temple: a retrospective. Studies in the History and
Archaeology of Jordan X: 291–310.
Korzhenkov, A. et.al., 2016, Следы землетрясений в затерянном городе (Earthquake trails in a lost city), Nature 43
Excavation Reports
Joukowsky, M. S., et al. (1998). Petra Great Temple, Volume 1
Joukowsky, M. S. (2007). Petra Great Temple, Volume 2 Oxbow Books.
Joukowsky, M. S., et al. (1998). Petra Great Temple, Volume 3
Websites
Petra Great Temple Site Bibliography
The Petra Great Temple Database Project
The Petra Great Temple Excavation Web Page - Brown University
Petra Great Temple Excavations on Open Context
Petra Great Temple Excavation Trenches on Open Context
Figure | Image | Description | Source |
---|---|---|---|
5a |
![]() ![]() Great Temple Damaged during the earthquake, the Roman columns of the Great Temple, reinforced by an additional wall Korzhenkov et al (2016) |
support wall | Korzhenkov et al (2016) |
5b |
![]() ![]() Great Temple "drums" of columns destroyed during an early earthquake Korzhenkov et al (2016) |
re-used building elements | Korzhenkov et al (2016) |
7 |
![]() ![]() Great Temple Destroyed columns of the Great Temple. Given that they were not dismantled, the collapse occurred after the earthquake of 632 and the occupation of the territory by the Arabs. JW: Terminus Post Quem for Column collapse is speculative Korzhenkov et al (2016) |
Collapsed Column | Korzhenkov et al (2016) |