Submerged 2,000-year-old temple from 'Indiana Jones' era found off Italy

Artifacts found since the 18th century hinted at a buried temple, but its precise location remained a mystery. (Image: M. Stefanile)

Archaeologists have stumbled upon remarkable ancient altars and inscribed marble slabs off the coast of Naples, Italy. These discoveries are believed to be the remains of a temple dating back 2,000 years. The temple was constructed by Nabataean immigrants from Arabia, the kingdom known for its impressive rock-carved structures, like the "Treasury" featured in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.

The site of the temple lies submerged near Pozzuoli, a town rich in volcanic history, located about 10 miles east of Naples. It was once a bustling Roman harbour known as Puteoli. Ancient traders docked here, bringing vital goods such as grain into the Roman Empire.

A study published in the journal Antiquity reveals that volcanic activity has altered Pozzuoli's coastline over the centuries. This has submerged and preserved around 1.2 miles of Roman-era buildings, including warehouses associated with the ancient port.

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Artifacts found since the 18th century hinted at a buried temple, but its precise location remained a mystery. In 2023, researchers mapping the seafloor finally identified two submerged rooms. The walls of these rooms measured approximately 32 feet by 16 feet. Inside one room, two white marble altars leaned against the wall. Each altar featured rectangular recesses, likely once home to sacred stones.

The Nabataeans: Traders of Luxury

Notably, each room contained a marble slab inscribed with "Dusari sacrum," meaning "consecrated to Dushara." Dushara was the main god in the ancient Nabataean religion. Michele Stefanile, a maritime archaeologist, told Live Science that the building blends Nabataean worship with Roman architecture and Latin inscriptions.

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The Nabataean Kingdom thrived from northern Arabia to the eastern Mediterranean. By the late first century A.D., they controlled a lucrative trade network dealing in luxury goods. The famous Treasury at Petra, their capital, was constructed during this period.

A Glimpse into Roman and Nabataean Beliefs

Steven Tuck, a Roman historian, explained that Puteoli was a hub for trade. It was the second-largest city in Roman Italy, attracting traders like the Nabataeans. As a result, they brought their religious practices to the bustling harbour.

Archaeologist Laurent Tholbecq remarked that finding a temple dedicated to Dushara in Puteoli is not surprising. The Nabataeans flourished due to the Roman expansion in the region until Trajan’s reign.

After the annexation of Nabataea into the Roman Empire in A.D. 106, the Nabataeans lost control over their trade routes. This disruption likely contributed to the temple's abandonment. Stefanile and his team discovered that the temple was intentionally buried in the second century A.D. with concrete and broken pottery.

"After Trajan's conquest, the Nabataeans may have left," Stefanile concluded, highlighting the temple's historical significance. This remarkable discovery offers insight into the rich cultural tapestry of ancient trading communities.