<P> Pella would see its greatest power and growth during the Byzantine era . During this time, the city constructed hundreds of monasteries, and the influx of Christians into the region meant that the residential and commercial areas were also built up . It was during this time that Pella reached its greatest size . It has been recorded that Pella was one of the first Jordanian cities to initiate a Christian bishop, around the year 451 AD . The city is the site of the battle between Byzantine troops and Muslim invading forces in 635 CE (13 AH) at the Battle of Fahl . Just below the ancient site is a mosque which commemorates the death of one of the Companions of the Prophet Mohammed, who fell in battle here during the Battle of Fahl in January 635 AD . </P> <P> The city proper was destroyed by the Golan earthquake of 749 . A small village remains in the area . Only small portions of the ruins have been excavated . </P> <P> The University of Sydney and the Jordanian Department of Antiquities have been conducting excavations at Pella since 1979 . In recent years, led by Stephen Bourke, the focus has been on the site's Bronze Age and Iron Age temples and administrative buildings . A Canaanite temple was uncovered from 1994 to 2003 . In May 2010 Stephen Bourke announced the discovery of a city wall and other structures, dating back to 3400BC, indicating that Pella was a formidable city - state at the same time the cities of Sumer were taking shape . </P>

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