Geological conservation of the Temple of the Winged Lions (Jordan)

Since 2009, the Department for the Geological Survey of Italy has been supporting the Department of Antiquities of Jordan (DOA), ACOR (American Centre of Research) and the Petra Archaeological Park (PAP) for the restoration and conservation of the Temple of the Winged Lions (TWL), in the UNESCO site of Petra.

The TWL, whose name derives from the winged lions that surmounted the capitals of the temple columns, is one of the most important monuments of Petra. The temple is located along the Colonnade Street, in the centre of the archaeological main area of Petra. Built in 27 BC, the temple was a sanctuary dedicated to Atargatis, goddess of fertility and spouse of Dushara, the main divinity of the Nabataeans. The temple, as most of the monuments located in this area of Petra, was destroyed by the 363 BC violent earthquake.

ISPRA has carried out numerous field surveys implementing geophysical prospections and engineering geological investigations aimed at assessing critical situations due to climate-driven, geological and human-induced causes that have impacted on the conservation state of the temple. These investigations and the results of a topographic monitoring have resulted in the assessment of the geomechanical characteristics of the sandstone materials, local stratigraphy and general stability of the site. The geoelectrical prospections (2-D and 3-D) have detected areas with potential archaeological remains and geo-structural elements that determine the presence of underground water or humidity which cause salt efflorescence and consequent damage to the temple stone elements. All such evidences have been considered in the TWL management plan for future restoration interventions. The technical support of ISPRA in the forthcoming project phases will be devoted to interventions of landscaping, drainage of superficial waters and consolidation of the most vulnerable parts of the monuments.