Periodic Reporting for period 1 - WaterDecor (Water for the People, Décor for the City: Nymphaea and Public Fountains in Iudaea/Syria-Palaestina and Provincia Arabia from the Roman until the Byzantine Periods (ca. 1st BCE-7th CE))
Periodo di rendicontazione: 2023-11-01 al 2025-10-31
The Project WaterDecor “Water for the People, Décor for the City: Nymphaea and Public Fountains in Iudaea/Syria-Palaestina and Provincia Arabia from the Roman until the Byzantine Periods (ca. 1st BCE-7th CE)” analyses how these water management installations were built across this vast semi-arid geographical area and evaluates cultural, social, and economic implications. Through a historical perspective and the record of past societies, this project embraces the EU’s challenges in the field of climate action and resource efficiency, bringing awareness to the importance of conscious water use. Furthermore, in line with the strategic framework for the EU’s cultural policy and the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP), this research promotes international cultural relations with southern neighbours (Israel, Syria, Jordan, Palestine, Lebanon).
Roman monumental civic fountains were both utilitarian edifices that augmented a community’s access to freshwater and grand architectural forms well suited to competitive display and civic and state glorification, which make them ideal examples for the study of the complex negotiation of patronage, identity, and status in the Roman Empire. My study endeavors to reconstruct the social, political, and cultural expectations embodied in public fountains.
The overall goal of WaterDecor is to assess how fountains and nymphaea, which are large water-consuming structures, were built during the Roman and Byzantine periods, managed, and affected by climate changes. The chosen geographical area examined is especially large because of the persistent changes of borders and administrative status of the Levant over the centuries; furthermore, researching a vast geographical region allows for comparisons of solutions found in areas that are different in terms of their geology, climate, and ethnic composition.
This research addresses three specific objectives:
1. to carry out a collective study of nymphaea/public fountains;
2. to investigate the urban and socio-cultural contexts;
3. to examine effects and consequences of climate changes.
These large water-consuming structures were urban endpoints of the water distribution system, and many factors conditioned their construction: e.g. natural topography, urban demand and needs, financial resources, and local culture. In this regard, this project aims at investigating the urban-social context and implies two aspects: a) the actual location of fountains within the urban settlement, which varies according to technical or practical needs and project’s scale; b) the sociocultural environment, which affects and influences constructions and their maintenance. In this regard, this study seeks to investigate not only the consumer, but also religious practices (e.g. the use of water during ceremonies in sanctuaries, as in the Jupiter sanctuary in Baalbek), and the social profile of sponsors, who commissioned the construction or the repair of hydraulic installations. In fact, this type of infrastructure was a form of euergetism aimed at pleasing the population and strengthening the sponsor’s social or political role. In this respect, nymphaea were ostentatious monuments and, although expensive to build, they could provide their donors with an excellent opportunity for self-advertisement.
WaterDecor project foresees examining the effects and consequences of climate changes on these hydraulic installations. Goals are: a) to verify whether or not in the Roman Levant, the construction boom of water-flow infrastructures during the 2nd and early 3rd century CE is somehow connected to a greater abundance of water, comparable to the boom in Northern Africa and Asia Minor; b) to examine to what extent the period of extensive drought Anatolia and Levant between the 4th-5th century CE affected these hydraulic infrastructures. And in fact, archaeological investigations have so far shown economizing adaptations to water infrastructure (e.g. in Jerash, Bosra, Apamea) in Late Antiquity and the proliferation of cisterns for collecting water. This is also a crucial aspect in terms of social control and government because the shortage of drinking water caused rebellions and riots, as happened in Caesarea Maritima in the time of Justinian I (527-565).
Roman monumental civic fountains were both utilitarian edifices that augmented a community’s access to freshwater and grand architectural forms well suited to competitive display and civic and state glorification, which make them ideal examples for the study of the complex negotiation of patronage, identity, and status in the Roman Empire. My study endeavors to reconstruct the social, political, and cultural expectations embodied in public fountains.
The overall goal of WaterDecor is to assess how fountains and nymphaea, which are large water-consuming structures, were built during the Roman and Byzantine periods, managed, and affected by climate changes. The chosen geographical area examined is especially large because of the persistent changes of borders and administrative status of the Levant over the centuries; furthermore, researching a vast geographical region allows for comparisons of solutions found in areas that are different in terms of their geology, climate, and ethnic composition.
This research addresses three specific objectives:
1. to carry out a collective study of nymphaea/public fountains;
2. to investigate the urban and socio-cultural contexts;
3. to examine effects and consequences of climate changes.
These large water-consuming structures were urban endpoints of the water distribution system, and many factors conditioned their construction: e.g. natural topography, urban demand and needs, financial resources, and local culture. In this regard, this project aims at investigating the urban-social context and implies two aspects: a) the actual location of fountains within the urban settlement, which varies according to technical or practical needs and project’s scale; b) the sociocultural environment, which affects and influences constructions and their maintenance. In this regard, this study seeks to investigate not only the consumer, but also religious practices (e.g. the use of water during ceremonies in sanctuaries, as in the Jupiter sanctuary in Baalbek), and the social profile of sponsors, who commissioned the construction or the repair of hydraulic installations. In fact, this type of infrastructure was a form of euergetism aimed at pleasing the population and strengthening the sponsor’s social or political role. In this respect, nymphaea were ostentatious monuments and, although expensive to build, they could provide their donors with an excellent opportunity for self-advertisement.
WaterDecor project foresees examining the effects and consequences of climate changes on these hydraulic installations. Goals are: a) to verify whether or not in the Roman Levant, the construction boom of water-flow infrastructures during the 2nd and early 3rd century CE is somehow connected to a greater abundance of water, comparable to the boom in Northern Africa and Asia Minor; b) to examine to what extent the period of extensive drought Anatolia and Levant between the 4th-5th century CE affected these hydraulic infrastructures. And in fact, archaeological investigations have so far shown economizing adaptations to water infrastructure (e.g. in Jerash, Bosra, Apamea) in Late Antiquity and the proliferation of cisterns for collecting water. This is also a crucial aspect in terms of social control and government because the shortage of drinking water caused rebellions and riots, as happened in Caesarea Maritima in the time of Justinian I (527-565).
The first step was the creation of the most complete database to date of fountains and nymphaea across the region. Sixty-one monuments have been identified and documented, including famous examples at Apamea, Bosra, Baalbek, and Gerasa, as well as smaller and often overlooked fountains in rural towns and sanctuaries. The database records information about each monument’s location, structure, decoration, and hydraulic system, and is being transferred to e-Dvara, an open digital platform hosted by the University of Udine. This tool will allow researchers and the public to explore ancient water monuments online.
The project has also focused on fieldwork and case studies, most notably at Gerasa (modern Jerash, Jordan). Here, an extensive architectural survey and archaeological excavations were launched in collaboration with the Department of Antiquities of Jordan. These investigations are revealing how the monument was built, modified, and reused from the Roman period to the early Islamic era. Samples of plaster and mortar have been collected and are now undergoing laboratory analysis to understand ancient building materials and water management techniques.
Research on ancient texts and inscriptions has complemented the archaeological work. This study has clarified the social and political importance of fountains as symbols of civic identity and generosity. It also re-evaluated some well-known monuments – for example, the “nymphaeum” of Amman was shown not to be a true hydraulic structure, while some extra-urban examples appear to have functioned as sanctuaries dedicated to water rather than as public fountains.
The project’s training activities have been equally successful. At the University of Bern, the researcher took specialised courses in Rabbinical and historical sources, attended seminars, and developed new skills in text interpretation and cultural history. Technical training in GIS and data management at the University of Udine improved the ability to visualise and analyse archaeological information digitally. Further courses on European research management are scheduled for the second phase of the fellowship, supporting the preparation of a future ERC Consolidator Grant proposal
The project has also focused on fieldwork and case studies, most notably at Gerasa (modern Jerash, Jordan). Here, an extensive architectural survey and archaeological excavations were launched in collaboration with the Department of Antiquities of Jordan. These investigations are revealing how the monument was built, modified, and reused from the Roman period to the early Islamic era. Samples of plaster and mortar have been collected and are now undergoing laboratory analysis to understand ancient building materials and water management techniques.
Research on ancient texts and inscriptions has complemented the archaeological work. This study has clarified the social and political importance of fountains as symbols of civic identity and generosity. It also re-evaluated some well-known monuments – for example, the “nymphaeum” of Amman was shown not to be a true hydraulic structure, while some extra-urban examples appear to have functioned as sanctuaries dedicated to water rather than as public fountains.
The project’s training activities have been equally successful. At the University of Bern, the researcher took specialised courses in Rabbinical and historical sources, attended seminars, and developed new skills in text interpretation and cultural history. Technical training in GIS and data management at the University of Udine improved the ability to visualise and analyse archaeological information digitally. Further courses on European research management are scheduled for the second phase of the fellowship, supporting the preparation of a future ERC Consolidator Grant proposal
The WATERDECOR project has generated a series of tangible and intangible results that significantly advance knowledge of water management, architecture, and cultural interaction in the ancient Mediterranean. The main outcomes can be grouped under four complementary areas: scientific innovation, methodological development, training and career impact, and societal value.
Scientific results
The project produced the first comprehensive, GIS-based database of fountains and nymphaea in the Roman and Byzantine Levant. This open-access digital resource records 61 monuments, offering systematic data on architecture, decoration, chronology, and hydraulic engineering. It constitutes a new reference tool for scholars and heritage institutions working on water architecture and urbanism in antiquity.
Archaeological research at Gerasa (Jerash) yielded new evidence on construction phases, hydraulic systems, and decorative programs, while the archaeometric analyses of mortars and plasters (carried out in collaboration with the Italian National Research Council) are clarifying ancient building technologies and repair practices.
In addition, the study of epigraphic, literary, and Rabbinical sources has redefined our understanding of the social and religious significance of fountains, identifying them as key spaces of civic representation, ritual interaction, and political communication.
Altogether, these results contribute to a new interpretative model linking water architecture to cultural identity, environmental adaptation, and social cohesion in the ancient world.
Methodological and digital innovation
By combining archaeological fieldwork, textual analysis, environmental data, and GIS visualisation, WATERDECOR demonstrates an interdisciplinary and replicable research approach. The digital platform developed during the project (e-Dvara) integrates spatial, visual, and textual data, allowing for advanced comparative analysis and public engagement. This model can be easily adapted to other research fields, supporting data-driven studies in cultural heritage and environmental archaeology.
Training and career development
The fellowship has substantially enhanced the researcher’s professional profile. Training in Rabbinical studies at the University of Bern and in GIS and data management at the University of Udine provided advanced technical and interpretative skills. Project management and ERC training have laid the foundation for a future ERC Consolidator Grant proposal, ensuring long-term sustainability and leadership in the field. The researcher’s appointment as a tenure-track professor at the University of Udine and the direction of the archaeological mission at Gerasa further demonstrate the impact of the project on career consolidation and international visibility.
Scientific results
The project produced the first comprehensive, GIS-based database of fountains and nymphaea in the Roman and Byzantine Levant. This open-access digital resource records 61 monuments, offering systematic data on architecture, decoration, chronology, and hydraulic engineering. It constitutes a new reference tool for scholars and heritage institutions working on water architecture and urbanism in antiquity.
Archaeological research at Gerasa (Jerash) yielded new evidence on construction phases, hydraulic systems, and decorative programs, while the archaeometric analyses of mortars and plasters (carried out in collaboration with the Italian National Research Council) are clarifying ancient building technologies and repair practices.
In addition, the study of epigraphic, literary, and Rabbinical sources has redefined our understanding of the social and religious significance of fountains, identifying them as key spaces of civic representation, ritual interaction, and political communication.
Altogether, these results contribute to a new interpretative model linking water architecture to cultural identity, environmental adaptation, and social cohesion in the ancient world.
Methodological and digital innovation
By combining archaeological fieldwork, textual analysis, environmental data, and GIS visualisation, WATERDECOR demonstrates an interdisciplinary and replicable research approach. The digital platform developed during the project (e-Dvara) integrates spatial, visual, and textual data, allowing for advanced comparative analysis and public engagement. This model can be easily adapted to other research fields, supporting data-driven studies in cultural heritage and environmental archaeology.
Training and career development
The fellowship has substantially enhanced the researcher’s professional profile. Training in Rabbinical studies at the University of Bern and in GIS and data management at the University of Udine provided advanced technical and interpretative skills. Project management and ERC training have laid the foundation for a future ERC Consolidator Grant proposal, ensuring long-term sustainability and leadership in the field. The researcher’s appointment as a tenure-track professor at the University of Udine and the direction of the archaeological mission at Gerasa further demonstrate the impact of the project on career consolidation and international visibility.