For decades, the location of the Sun Temple of the controversial Emperor Elagabalus has remained a mystery since he ascended to the Roman throne at the young age of 14 in 218 AD. A mysterious inscription found at the base of a column in the Great Mosque of Homs, Syria, could potentially unveil key details regarding this ancient structure. The scientific study detailing this discovery was published in the archaeology journal Shedet by Professor Maamoun Saleh Abdulkarim, an expert in archaeology and history at the University of Sharjah.

There has long been speculation within the archaeological community that the rectangular structure of the mosque might conceal remnants of the main pagan temple of the city formerly known as Emesa. Emesa was a significant Roman provincial capital and a civic and commercial center that was largely influenced by the solar cult worshipped during that time. The potential link between the mosque and the temple could provide insights into the religious transitions that occurred in the region and the influence of Roman paganism on Islamic architectural sites.

Professor Abdulkarim argues that the carved message they found constitutes a decisive advancement in clarifying the origins of this Muslim enclave. The discovery strengthens the hypothesis that the mosque stands upon significant historical and cultural layers, marking a convergence between Islamic and Roman heritages. If further investigations confirm this connection, it may reshape our understanding of the historical landscape of Homs and its importance during the Roman era.