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Sebastia
Palestine
Date of Submission: 02/04/2012
Criteria: (ii)(v)
Category: Cultural
Submitted by:
Permanent Delegation of Palestine to UNESCO
Coordinates: N32 17 E35 11
Ref.: 5718
Description
Sebaste, identified with ancientSamaria, is the capital of the northern kingdom during the Iron Age II inPalestineand a
major urban centre during the Hellenistic and Roman periods. A series of excavations were carried out in the site
between 1908-1910 byHarvardUniversity, under the direction of G.A. Reisner and C.S. Fisher, and in 1931-35 by a Joint
expedition under the direction of J. Crowfoot. Small excavations were also carried out by the Jordanian Department of
Antiquities in 1967.
According to the biblical tradition, Omri purchased the hill from a man named Shemer and made it his capital.Samariawas
captured by the Assyrians in 722 BC during the reign of Sargun II. After the conquest, the city became the centre of the
AssyrianprovinceofSamaria.
The excavations uncovered part of the city on the acropolis surrounded by two walls. Within this walled area, several
buildings were uncovered, consisting of a monumental building with square rooms and a central courtyard. This building
probably functioned as part of the royal quarter. One of the major discoveries in this building is the ivory collection that
was found in one room. Under Persian ruleSamariaremained a provincial capital for centralPalestine. In 332
BC,Samariawas captured by Alexander the Great. Massive fortification around the acropolis was added, including a
circular tower. The city was completely destroyed by John Hyrcanus in 107 BC.
After Pompey in 63 BC, the city became part of theprovinceofSyria. Augustus gave it to Herod, the latter renamed it
Sebaste (in Greek Sebastos is Augustus) in honour of the emperor. A large building program was carried out by Herod,
including the basilica, the forum, the stadium and an aqueduct. Septimus Severus gave it the status of colonia in AD 200.
Severus built a large basilica and a colonnaded market street running from the west to the eastern gate, consisting of 600
columns. A theatre belonging to the early 3rd century was uncovered on the northern slope of the acropolis.
During the Byzantine period, Sebaste was the seat of a bishop. The city was linked with the tradition of John the Baptist,
whose tomb was located in the city by popular Christian and Islamic tradition. A Byzantine church was erected on the
southern slope of the city and a Crusader church was built in the centre of the present town. The Mamluk, Ottoman and
present town ofSebaste, still preserving the ancient name, is located on the eastern part of the Roman city, indicating a
strong element of cultural continuity.
Geographic location:
The site of Sebaste-Samaria (Arabic form of Sebastia, Sabastyeh) is located ca. 10 km northwest of Nablus, and
occupies a hill about 439 m above sea level. It is located on a strategic point on the junction of two main historical routes,
the northern Nablus road to Jenin and the western route from the Jordan valley to the coast. It commands the
surrounding fertile agricultural area.
Justification of Outstanding Universal Value
Samaria (Sabaste) was the capital city of the northern kingdom during the Iron Age II and has continued to be an
important administrative centre of the region. Local Christian and Islamic traditions locate the tomb of John the Baptist in
Sebastia. Churches and a mosque were built there dedicated to John the Baptist, prophet Yahia, inaugurating this
religious tradition which still continues.
Criteria met:
criterion (ii) The city exhibits an important interchange of human values characterized by a distinct landscape (terrace
type of landscape composed of mainly olive, apricot and fig trees).
criterion (v) The city is an example of a traditional human settlement, which is representative of different cultures from the
Iron Age, Persian, Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, Islamic periods to the present time, within a cultural area, which
resulted in a mixture of various archaeological and cultural contexts.
Statements of authenticity and/or integrity
The site is largely in a ‘natural’ state, part of a working landscape of settlement and farming. Only small areas are displayed,
and they are not well presented. The excavations have been left as found, showing impressive if largely unintelligible
remains, but on the hilltop they need conservation attention and the area is quite dangerous for visitors. The site is, however,
not developed and is currently under the Israeli control. Nevertheless, the site attracts many tourists because of its historical
importance.
Comparison with other similar properties
The site, especially the Roman City, has features in common, both generally and in particular, with the sites of Caccaria,
Nablus, Jerash in Jordan, Tyre or Baalbeck in Lebanon, and Cesarea.