Close Menu
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    Saturday, July 12, 2025
    961
    Instagram Facebook LinkedIn TikTok
    • Breaking News
    • Guides
    • Food & Drink
    • Listicles
    • Join the Team
    • Whatsapp
      • 961
      • 961 News
    Advertise with Us Get the App
    961
    Home»Magazine
    Sapienza University of Rome Expedition to Motya/Antiquity
    3 Mins Read

    An Ancient Phoenician Pool Has Been Discovered To Be Aligned With The Stars

    By Jack MetriApril 25, 2022Updated:April 25, 2022
    Facebook WhatsApp Copy Link

    Located off the coast of Sicily on the Phoenician Island city of Motya, an artificial lake was found to be one of the largest sacred pools in the ancient Mediterranean 2,500 years ago.

    The lake was thought to be a military harbor that was involved in military trade.

    However, its true purpose was recently revealed. New research proved it to be the center of a sacred religious sanctuary that also aligns with the stars.

    Sapienza University of Rome Expedition to Motya/Antiquity

    Known today as San Pantaleo, an idyllic spot for tourists, Motya was a very active port during the first millennium B.C.

    Motya was destroyed in an attack by Carthage and rebuilt in 550 B.C. along with the sacred pool. Carthage was a nearby Phoenician city along the North African coast and was Rome’s main rival.

    When researchers discovered this pool in the 1920s, they decided that it must be an artificial harbor like Kothon in Carthage.

    However, this basin was as large as an Olympic swimming pool and was surprisingly not connected to the sea. Instead, it was supplied by three natural springs, something deemed as divine favor in ancient times.

    Sapienza University of Rome Expedition to Motya/Antiquity

    The Phoenicians used this sacred religious complex to connect to the traditional beliefs of their homelands.

    The basin also allowed the Phoenicians to study the changing positions of the stars and planets, which were crucial to their prominent ships’ navigation.

    AUB professor of archeology, Helene Sader, noted that sacred pools were a key part of many temples in the Phoenician homelands, which correspond with our modern-day Lebanon. 

    Lorenzo Nigro; Antiquity Publications Ltd

    The influence of the Phoenician civilization was immense.

    Their numerous inventions helped spread their influence greatly across the Mediterranean and beyond; from pioneering navigation by the stars to introducing innovations like the alphabet, the glass, olive oil and wine, the vivid “royal purple” dye, ships building skills, and temples engineering skills, among others.

    They reached as far as Canada and carried to the world along with their seafaring their advanced knowledge in various fields. Some became famous emperors and some are hailed as historical legends to date, with their teachings being still implemented in universities and law institutions.

    Their civilization was prosperous and lasted for over 7,000 years. Some of their cities are still inhabited to date by their descents.

    Related: 10 Historical Legends You Didn’t Know Were Actually Phoenicians.

    Phoenician
    Share. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit Email

    For You

    caracalla one thousand and one nights

    Caracalla Just Added More Dates For “One Thousand and One Nights” & You Def Don’t Want To Miss It!

    Low-Cost Lebanese Airline 961

    We Might Finally Be Getting A Low-Cost Lebanese Airline – Here’s What We Know

    lebanon jounieh cyprus by ferry 961

    You’ll Soon Be Able To Travel Between Lebanon & Cyprus By Ferry

    lebanese beer brands almaza beirut beer 961

    Lebanese Beer Brands Are Publicly Throwing Shade, And It’s Getting Frothy

    lufthansa beirut 961

    You Can Now Fly To Beirut Again On Lufthansa & Swiss Airlines

    saint levant aub outdoors 2025 961

    Saint Levant Is Officially Headlining AUB Outdoors 2025!

    lebanon jounieh cyprus by ferry 961

    You’ll Soon Be Able To Travel Between Lebanon & Cyprus By Ferry

    20 Celebrities You Probably Didn’t Know Had Lebanese Roots

    April 22, 2019
    caracalla one thousand and one nights

    Caracalla Just Added More Dates For “One Thousand and One Nights” & You Def Don’t Want To Miss It!

    July 5, 2025

    Lebanon’s Shawarma Is Going Viral in The Philippines

    April 21, 2019
    Lebanese boutiques

    25 Boutiques In Lebanon To Find Your Dream Evening Dress This Wedding Season

    June 9, 2024

    20 Typical Lebanese Slang Expressions

    April 21, 2020
    lebanese beer brands almaza beirut beer 961

    Lebanese Beer Brands Are Publicly Throwing Shade, And It’s Getting Frothy

    June 7, 2025
    Low-Cost Lebanese Airline 961

    We Might Finally Be Getting A Low-Cost Lebanese Airline – Here’s What We Know

    June 18, 2025

    12 Things To Do In The Traditional Lebanese Town Of Hammana

    July 28, 2022
    arabic words

    30 Beautiful Arabic Words You Probably Want To Learn

    April 22, 2020
    961 Logo
    Facebook WhatsApp TikTok Instagram

    Popular Topics

    • Guides
    • Eat & Drink
    • Listicles
    • Lebanon News
    • Diaspora
    • Explained

    961

    • About
    • WhatsApp Channel
    • News WhatsApp Channel
    • Corrections Policy
    • Ownership & Funding

    Services

    • Advertise
    • Careers
    • App Waitlist
    • Contact Us
    • Newsletter
    961™ | All Rights Reserved ©2025
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

    We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.