New light on the ‘cothon’ at Motya

Isserlin, B. S. J.

doi:10.1017/s0003598x00069477

Cited by 7 publications

(3 citation statements)

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“…1956, 1958, 1970). A synthesis of the results was published by the director of the expedition, Benedikt Isserlin, in Antiquity 50 years ago (Isserlin 1971b). Isserlin revised Whitaker's interpretation, arguing that the feature was a type of dry dock for the careening or repair of ships (Isserlin 1973, 1974a; Isserlin & Du Plat Taylor 1974: 57).…”

Section: The ‘Kothon’: Its Exploration and Interpretationmentioning

confidence: 99%

The sacred pool of Ba'al: a reinterpretation of the ‘Kothon’ at Motya

Nigro

2022

Antiquity

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The Phoenician island-city of Motya, off the west coast of Sicily, has long been a focus of archaeological research. Earlier excavations identified a large rectangular basin interpreted, by analogy with Carthage, as a ‘kothon’ or artificial inner harbour. Recent investigations of this feature, however, lead the author to a new interpretation. Rather than a harbour, the so-called ‘Kothon’ is revealed as a sacred freshwater pool at the centre of a monumental circular sanctuary hosting three large temples. The pool, watched over by a statue of Ba'al, also served as a surface for observing and mapping the movement of stars, as emphasised by the alignment of structures and features positioned around the sacred enclosure.

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Section: The ‘Kothon’: Its Exploration and Interpretationmentioning

confidence: 99%

The sacred pool of Ba'al: a reinterpretation of the ‘Kothon’ at Motya

Nigro

2022

Antiquity

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“…There is no indication how high the water table is above sea level nor how far the sarcophagus continues below the waterlogged ground. Isserlin (1963) reports on a survey by a group of divers. It is suggested that the causeway to the north of the island which is now submerged in 30-40 cm of water may have been originally built with its upper surface out of the water.…”

Section: Sicilymentioning

confidence: 99%

Archaeological Evidence for Eustatic Change of Sea Level and Earth Movements in the Western Mediterranean During the Last 2,000 Years

Flemming

1969

Geological Society of America Special Papers

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The change of relationship of Greek, Roman, and Phoenician cities in the Western Mediterranean to sea level in the last 2000 years is used to analyze eustatic change and earth movements.A survey of the literature on archaeological evidence for eustatic change reveals that selections from the field data have been used to prove everything from eustatic constancy to oscillations of 25 ft every 600 years. In order to arrive at a solution of greater reliability, fresh criteria for the identification of coastal ruins are outlined, together with rigorous methods for establishing the original relation of the ruins to sea level and for rejecting uncertain data. Because of the interaction of eustatic change and local earth movements, a study is made of the distribution of vertically displaced cities which would be expected from various hypothetical combinations of these factors. This is followed by an analysis of the effect on the results of uneven distribution of cities along the coast, and a summary of the actual spacing of 179 cities around the Western Mediterranean.The 179 cities are then considered individually and definite conclusions reached on 54, with relevant but inconclusive data on another 67. There are 2 cities uplifted; 27 proven fixed relative to sea level; and 26 submerged. The submerged cities are sunk to depths varying from 0.5-10 m. The depth of submersion is not a function of the age of the site, and they are all grouped in tectonic zones or on deltas. One site only is anomalous, near Cannes, France, with submersion of 0.5 m in a relatively stable zone.It is concluded that there has been no net eustatic change in the last 2000 years; that all submerged sites are due to earth movement; and that tectonic movements in the basin are predominantly downward.

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“…The city was surrounded by a massive fortification that followed the contours of the island's coastline, and was marked by four gates, which were oriented roughly according to the cardinal points. At the centre was a road that linked a causeway, which provided access to the mainland via a gate in the north (Porta Nord), to the Cothon, once considered a port and dry dock (Isserlin 1971) and now interpreted as a sacred pool at the south of the island (Nigro 2009a). Isserlin and du Plat Taylor analysed aerial photography and conducted resistivity surveys to locate this street, thought to serve as the site's spinal axis (Figure 1).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%