Ar-Rasafeh had a long history of occupation until its abandonment in the 13th century in the aftermath of the Mongol invasions (Sack and Gussone, 2016). At various times, it was a fortification of the Limes Arabicus, a Christian pilgrimage site for the veneration of Saint Sergius, and a residence for Umayyad Caliph Hisham bin Abd al-Malik.

Plans

Discussion

Sack et al (2010) wrote the following about the constructions and destruction of Basilica B

The begin of the building of Basilica B is known to have taken place in spring 518 and thus the last months of the reign of Kaiser Anastasius (491-518)(10). The date of its completion is not certain, but was probable in the reign of Justin I (518-527). It can be assumed that Basilica B was soon so severely damaged by an earthquake that it was not rebuilt and thus abandoned. From the chronological relations to other buildings in Resafa, in which spolia from Basilica B were used, it can be deduced that the destruction probably took place before the middle of the seventh century and certainly before the building of the Great Mosque was begun in the second quarter of the eighth century. Several parts of Basilica B were further used for some time. After the abandoned parts of the basilica were removed, some houses were erected in their place. The ceramic finds and the typological comparison with other ground plans suggest that some of these buildings were inhabited up to the abandonment of the city in the 13th century.

Intagliata (2018:112) also reports on seismic damage in Resafa

Al-Rusafa was greatly refurbished after Hisham b. `Abd al-Malik took the caliphate in 724. A transept-type mosque, 56 x 40m in size, was constructed occupying part of the courtyard of Basilica A, therefore linking the new Muslim place of worship to the existing Christian sacred topography. The building makes extensive use of spolia from the ruined Basilica A, which had experienced destructions by an earthquake not long after its construction. Material from the same building was also reused for the construction of a nearby suq, likely contemporary with the mosque, in the western courtyard of Basilica A (Sack 1996; Ulbert 1986; 1992).

Plan and Photos

Discussion

Al Khabour (2016) notes that the Basilica of St. Sergius (Basilica A) suffered earthquake destructions but did not supply dates. The apse displays fractures that appear to be a result of earthquakes or differential subsidence (see Fig. 2 in Photos). Sack et al (2010:307) reported that from the building of the church [Basilica A first built in the 5th century CE] up to the abandonment of the city in the 13th century, earthquakes and the building ground weakened by underground dolines [aka sinkholes] have caused considerable damage.

Hof (2019) reports that the Great Cistern and water system at Resafa was maintained in the second quarter of the 8th century [CE] and from then on appears to have fallen into disrepair. Catharine Hof (personal communication, 2022) provided the following observations regarding archaeoseismicity at Resafa.

Resafa lies too far away from major earthquake ‘centres’ like the Jordan-fault or even the somewhat endangered Palmyrides. Nevertheless, the damages on the buildings seem to indicate shaking as a cause of damage. But all archaeological evidence has shown, that the different buildings suffered their specific damages at different times. The theory now is, that very slight intensities of remote earthquakes (e. g. maybe the legendary large event from 749?) do reach Resafa, more as slight shiverers rather than actual shakes and far too weak to destroy the entire city in one event. To a certain degree we can assume that intensities at Resafa would not exceed IV MMI. But the sum of those minor events sooner or later would show a locally destructive effect. These shakes must have occurred more or less constantly through history.

JW: Seismic Hazard is likely higher than Catherine thinks.

Hof (2018) characterized Resafa as a poor building ground with fissures in the bedrock and sink holes.

Although Redwan et. al. (2002) report the following:

8th Century AD

A strong earthquake occurred in Ar-Rasafeh transferring its houses to ruins.

this appears to be an error. Redwan et. al. (2002)'s reference appears to be an earlier version of an earthquake catalog later published by Sbeinati et al (2005). Sbeinati et al (2005)'s final catalog does not contain a reference to Ar-Rasafeh.

Catharine Hof (personal communication, 2022) provided the following information on the probable source of the error

In the older literature one can read of a large earthquake in the (mid or late) eighth century. This can be traced back to an early statement by the first excavation director Johannes Kollwitz (1959). This alleged earthquake has led to a typical case of circular reasoning, because it had made its way into more recent catalogues (Sbeinati – Darawcheh – Mouty 2005, 387: [053]). Sbeinati's source (Klengel 1985) is a ‘photobook’ of Syria, which gives no evidence. So, there is neither written source nor archaeological evidence for an (extraordinary or large) earthquake at Resafa in the 8th century.

• from Wikipedia