The archaeologists located this and other reservoirs to supply water to the city.(Photo: J.C. Meyer)Researchers solve mystery of Palmyra
Norwegian archaeologists have solved one of the great puzzles of the Roman Empire: Why was the vibrant city of Palmyra located in the middle of the Syrian Desert?
Palmyra at dawn. Image: Zeledi (Wikimedia, used under a CC BY-SA 3.0)
In ancient Roman times A.D., Palmyra was the most important point along the trade route linking the east and west, reaching a population of 100 000 inhabitants. But its history has always been shrouded in mystery: What was a city that size doing in the middle of the desert? How could so many people live in such an inhospitable place nearly 2 000 years ago? Where did their food come from? And why would such an important trade route pass directly through the desert?
Norwegian researchers collaborated with Syrian colleagues for four years to find answers.
“These findings provide a wealth of new insight into Palmyra’s history,” says project manager Jørgen Christian Meyer, a professor at the University of Bergen.
General view of Palmyra. Image: Diemert (Wikimedia, used under a CC BY-SA 3.0)
New research using modern archaeological methods
The Bergen-based archaeologists approached the problem from a novel angle – instead of examining the city itself, they studied an enormous expanse of land just to the north. Along with their Syrian colleagues from the Palmyra Museum and aided by satellite photos, they catalogued a large number of ancient remains visible on the Earth’s surface.
“In this way,” explains Professor Meyer, “we were able to form a more complete picture of what occurred within the larger area.”
The team detected a number of forgotten villages from ancient Roman times. But what finally solved the riddle of Palmyra was the discovery of the water reservoirs these villages had utilised.
The archaeologists located this and other reservoirs to supply water to the city.(Photo: J.C. Meyer)
Not a desert
Professor Meyer and his colleagues came to realise that what they were studying was not a desert, but rather an arid steppe, with underground grass roots that keep rain from sinking into the soil. Rainwater collects in intermittent creeks and rivers called wadi.
The archaeologists gathered evidence that residents of ancient Palmyra and the nearby villages collected the rainwater using dams and cisterns. This gave the surrounding villages water for crops and enabled them to provide the city with food; the collection system ensured a stable supply of agricultural products and averted catastrophe during droughts.
Local farmers also cooperated with Bedouin tribes, who drove their flocks of sheep and goats into the area to graze during the hot season, fertilising the farmers’ fields in the process.
Bedouin still living in the Syrian Desert served as a rich source of information for the archaeologists. (Photo: J.C. Meyer)
Safe trade route
Palmyra’s location also had a political base with an important east-west trade route, not under the control of the Romans to the west or the Persians to the east. Local lords demanded high fees for passage and this practice of ‘extortion’ translated into a tremendous opportunity for the Palmyrians; they joined forces with the Bedouin to provide security, beasts of burden and guides through the desert.
“Tradesmen from Palmyra made the most of the city’s unique location to build up a comprehensive trade network,” says the professor.
Arable land in this time of need
The solution to the mystery of Palmyra can also teach us something today. As the world seeks arable land to feed its billions, we can learn from the Palmyrians’ experience. If they were able to cultivate the desert soil almost 2 000 years ago, surely we can do the same with all the available modern aids and methods.
“Occasionally an enormous amount of rain falls in the desert,” says Professor Meyer. “Anyone can see how green the desert becomes after the rain. The Palmyrians must have realised the potential of this type of land, which covers large areas of our planet.”
Panorama of Palmyra. Image: Yvonnefm (Wikimedia, used under a CC BY-SA 3.0)
Source: The Research Council of Norway
More Information :
- Palmyrena. City, Hinterland and Caravanetrade between the Occident and the Orient
- Jørgen Christian Meyer
- Extensive database of photos from the survey area
- Palmyra. Italian-Syrian Archaeological Mission of the University of Milan
- Burns, Ross (1999). Monuments of Syria. London and New York: I.B. Tauris. pp. 162–175.
- Isaac, Benjamin (2000). The Limits of Empire – the Roman Army in the East (revised ed.). Oxford: Clarendon Press.
