Observations on the Temple of Serapis, at Pozzuoli, near Naples, with remarks on certain causes which may produce Geological Cycles of great extent

Abstract

The Facts and observations which I have thrown together in the following paper were collected during the month of June 1828, in company with Mr. Head*. They relate to a monument of ancient art, which is perhaps more interesting than any other to the geologist. I shall first state the facts which came under my own observation, without assuming that they have not been previously noticed, though not aware of their having yet been collected into one point. I shall then suggest an explanation of the singular phænomena which the temple presents, and afterwards briefly sketch those more general views to which I have been led by reflecting on the causes that appear to have produced the alternate subsidence and elevation of the temple of Serapis. In the year 1749, the upper portions of three marble columns that had been nearly concealed by underwood, were discovered, in the neighbourhood of the town of Pozzuoli. In the following year excavations were made, and ultimately it was found that they formed part of a large temple which was supposed to have been dedicated to the god Serapis. The temple is situated about a hundred feet from the sea, and its form will be better understood by the accompanying view (see Plate I.), taken with a camera lucida, and by the ground plan (fig. 1 ) which is copied from that in the work of the Canonico Jorio. The most remarkable circumstance which first attracts the attention of the observer is the state