The marbles of the basilica of Ascalon: another example of the Severan building projects

Abstract This paper presents the research conducted on origin of white marble architecture basilica Ascalon (Israel). The is located in civic centre Roman city and it one relatively few known monumental buildings Palestine. various construction phases are dated from first century BC to third AD. As Israel has no sources marble, this explores that was used for several architectural elements such as bases, columns, capitals, figurative pilasters identify their provenance. methodology includes petrographic studies, chemical isotopic analyses, analyses inclusion fluids extractable salts (crush-leach analyses) marble. results demonstrate imported highlights wide extent connectivity interregional trade region. Some main building materials programme originate famous supra-regional quarries Prokonnesos Thasos, different island Lesbos. similarities between Severan contemporary Leptis Magna also discussed paper. In combination with absence a built-up port ancient Ascalon, these provide important information economy Palestine, transportation networks, logistical organisation large-scale programmes.