Qanawat (Qanatha)
| Qanawat is another late Roman and Byzantine site. It was once a member of the Decapolis which included at various times Philadelphia (Amman), Gerasa (Jerash), Gadara, (Umm Qais) and Pella, all of which are now in Jordan. Qanawat’s architectural remains include a temple (dedicated to Helios) and a nymphaeum. One of the most interesting buildings is known as the Seraglio. It appears to have originally been a combination of temples, which was later converted to a basilica in the Byzantine period. In addition there are the conduits and water systems from which its name is derived. | |
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Peripteral Temple at Kanawat, from the south-west. 20 - 23rd September, 1875 (PEF/P/1666) |
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This photograph was taken by the professional photographer T.R. Dumas of Beirut at Kanawat for the short-lived American Palestine Exploration Society (APES)during their survey in Lebanon, Syria and to the East of the Jordan River . In a catalogue of photographs published by Selah Merrill in the APES, 4th Statement, January 1877 (New York), the following description of the image appears "34. Peripteral Temple at Kunawat, from the south-west. This temple, called peripteral because surrounded by columns, is about a quarter of a mile west of Kunawat, and is one of the most beautiful and striking objects in the East, as seen when approached either from the west or north. The portico faced the east and consisted of a double row of Corinthian columns, six in each row. The temple stands on a platform about twelve feet high, beneath which are vaults. The bases of the columns had inscriptions, most of which are now mutilated and nearly or quite illegible". (PEF/P/1666) |
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