The Evolution of Madīnat az-Zahrāʾ as Capital City of the Umayyad Caliphate

Abstract

Madīnat az-Zahrāʾ served as the capital of the Umayyad caliphate between 940 and 1016 CE. The site has been the subject of archaeological excavations for more than a century. The aim of a new project conducted by the Junta de Andalucía and the German Archaeological Institute is the investigation of the ›Plaza de Armas‹, located to the east of the main palace area. The present paper provides an overview of the current state of knowledge regarding the development of the site. Four phases are identified and analyzed regarding the overall design of the site and its function. During Phase I, a vast garden palace was constructed as a private residence of the caliph (940 CE). During Phase II, a mosque, administrative buildings and workshops were added outside the palace walls and the site thus turned into a capital city (944–948 CE). During Phase III, these new structures were incorporated into an overarching scheme, which now also incorporated large stables and houses for soldiers (950–957 CE). Finally, during Phase IV structures for controlling access to the palace were enhanced (ca. 980 CE).