| Caesarea |
| The Eastern Circus |
| A plan for the conservation and development and the preparation of a donor’s file. |
| Orderer | The Government Tourism Corporation |
| Duration | March 2001 |
| Implemented by: |
Arch. Shachar Puni
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The eastern circus is situated along the eastern fringes of Byzantine Caesarea, in what is currently an agricultural area belonging to Kibbutz Sdot-Yam. The area is today detached from its archaeological context, can barely be seen from the national park and is surrounded by cultivated fields. There is no proper access to the site. Although the site is located in an area planted with wheat; the lines of the circus are clearly apparent along the topography and the trees planted along the circus’ perimeter call accentuate its plan.
The purpose of this work was to prepare a plan for the development, conservation and presentation of the site to the public.
The eastern circus of Caesarea was built in the 2nd century CE and was also used in the Byzantine period, at which time its plan was modified, particularly the design of the meta (a tall tapering feature at the end of the central divider in a Roman circus). This circus is mentioned by Eusebius (4th century CE), in sources from the 5th century CE, in the Tosefta and in Crusader sources. Guérin, Conder and Kitchner make reference to the obelisk and the conical stones. In the 1970’s J.H. Humphrey conducted surveys and excavations in the circus, and in 1999-2000 an excavation was carried out in the vicinity of the southern meta, on behalf of the Antiquities Authority, under the direction of Joseph Porat.
The Romans used the circus for entertainment purposes and chariot races were held there. It is presumed to have been 450 m long by 90 m wide. The installation includes an arena, surrounded by cavea (spectator seating) in the center of which is a spina (a central divider), c. 1.5 m high by c. 6 m wide. Euripi (elongated pools) were built the length of the spina. In the center of the spina stood an obelisk and at either end were metae on which conical columns stood. Running the length of the spina were ornaments, some of which were found in the excavation.
The cultivation and repeated clearance of stones from the area caused extensive damage to the site. In the wake of the excavation at the site, conservation measures were implemented in the vicinity of the obelisk in order to prevent further deterioration in its physical condition.
As part of a complicated engineering project the different sections of the obelisk were reconnected and the obelisk was returned to its original location in the circus’ arena. Within the framework of the project to raise the obelisk into an upright position, its base was reconstructed, as was a section of the spina.
The proposed plan calls for the conservation of the spina and the development of the architectural elements situated the length of it; renovation of the circus’ outline, arena and cavea; and the arranging of access and egress to and from the site, according to the following phases:
Phase 1:
1. Completing the work called for in the project to raise the obelisk.
2. Cleaning and the preliminary arrangement of the area where the cavea are located.
3. Arranging an initial approach and signage.
Phase 2:
1. Preserving the remains of the spina and returning the various elements along the spina and meta to their original locations (anastylosis).
2. Cleaning and the creation of a perimeter strip around the outside of the cavea as part of the approach system.
3. Exposing as much of the arena’s outline as possible.
4. Setting up a path around the spina.
This phase will be implemented after an archaeological excavation has been conducted along the spina.
Phase 3:
Reconstruction of the meta and along the spina.
Phase 4:
1. Exposing the line of the arena along the entire length of the circus.
2. Preserving the remains of the cavea in accordance with the outcome of the excavation there.
Phase 5:
1. Leveling and arranging the arena.
2. Installing starting positions and modern bleachers.
3. Connecting the infrastructures with the rest of the Caesarea site.
The site is of great archaeological, historic and cultural value. It is a ‘classic’ example of a Roman entertainment facility used for racing horses. Many of its elements, especially the spina, are very well preserved compared with that of similar installations elsewhere in the world.
Developing the site will contribute to understanding the lifestyle in the Roman period and understanding Caesarea of the same period.
To view the figures, click on the figure caption
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