ROMAN NYMPHAEUM IN PHILADELPHIA, SOUTH LEVANT: NEW EXCAVATION DATA

Abstract

The Nymphaeum structure is considered one of the most important historical buildings still standing in the heart of Decapolis City Philadelphia (Modern Philadelphia Capital of Jordan, Amman). The Nymphaeum has been dated to the second century AD, during the Roman period consists of two floors: a ground floor which was built above an old water course; and the second floor consisting of three large apses decorated with two rows of niches designed to host statues. The structure remained in use into the late Byzantine and early Islamic periods. The current paper highlighted new discovered architectural features at the Nymphaeu. These new features have added a number of facts regarding the building techniques and materials as well as the site function and its uses.