Near Eastern Institute

Nabataean Petra

January 2nd, 2010 Posted in Recent Articles

Petra is one of the most amazing places that can be visited in the Near East. Petra is a Greek word that means cleft in the rock. Petra, located in southern Jordan, has been included in the New Seven Wonders of the World. This site was introduced to the Western World in 1812 by Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt. The location of Petra is such that it controlled the main commercial routes which passed through it to Gaza, Bosra, Damascus, Aqaba ,Leuce come on the Red Sea, and across the desert to the Persian Gulf. It is said that settlements in Petra began near the eighteenth dynasty of Egypt.

Wadi Musa:

Petra Visitors Center:

Bab el-Siq (can you spot the donkey in this picture?):

The examination of tombs can be said as the best evidence in order to know about the date of the earliest Nabataean settlement. There are two types of tombs, which may be distinguished: the Nabataean and the Greco-Roman. Usually, The Nabataean type starts from the simple pylon-tomb with a door set in a tower crowned by a parapet ornament.  Then after passing through different phases, the full Nabataean type is reached with all the native features and simultaneously exhibiting characteristics that are partly Egyptian and partly Greek. Some signs of Roman ways of constructions can be found but native style is almost rare to find. At the end of the 2nd century BCE, when the kingdom of Ptolemaic and Seleucid were near to end, the Nabataean kingdom came to the front.

Djinn Blocks:

A Greek inscription indicates that a Nabataean family built the Djinn Blocks (Tower Tombs) in the 1st century AD.

Bab as-Siq:

A bilingual inscription (Nabataean and Greek) mentions burials made by Abdmanku, son of Akayus, son of Shullay for himself and for his children and their heirs in the time of Maliku (40-70 AD).

Triclinium and Obelisk Tomb:

The Obelisk or “Nefesh” Tomb in the Bab Al-Siq was carved by the Nabataeans in the 1st century AD, slightly earlier than the bottom story classical style Triclinium (banquet hall). At the top are four pyramids or “Nefesh” as well as a niche with a statue in bas-relief, symbolic representations of the five people buried in the tomb.

Wadi al-Mudhlim:

Wadi al-Mudhlim is a natural tectonic gorge formed by flash floods. It reaches Sadd al-Ma’jin, a rotunda carved with several votive niches and ends at the Tomb of Sextius Florentinus.

The Dam:

The dam was built by the Nabataeans to divert the flash floods of Wadi Musa to Wadi al-Mataha through the tunnel.

Entrance to the Siq:

Al-Siq is 1207 meters long and 3-16 meters wide. It is a natural gorge of spectacular geological formation, which the Nabataeans widened in parts by carving out the rock.

Paved in the 1st century BC, the Siq served as the Nabataeans’ religious processional passageway into Petra.

Ancient remains in situ at the entrance signify that there once stood a monumental arch. Excavations have uncovered relief sculptures of a camel caravan and numerous niches with betyles carved in relief and sculpted monolithic stones dedicated to Nabataean gods, in particular al-Uzza, the goddess of fertility.

Water channels:

The Nabataeans and Romans sustained their sophisticated civilization through skillful water management that included advanced hydraulic systems to control the flow of water. On either side of the Siq are water channels with basins. The southern channel is hollowed out of the rock and was originally covered by sandstone and limestone slabs to prevent evaporation and contamination. The northern channel was made of interlocking terracotta pipes, parts of which can still be seen in situ.

The Siq:

Before the arrival of Christianity in Petra, The Nabataeans worshipped the Arab gods and goddesses. Christianity came here in the 4th century CE, nearly 500 years after the establishment of Petra as a trade center while Islam conquered Petra in 629–632. According to Arab tradition, Petra is the place where Moses struck a rock with his staff and water came forth and it is the place where Moses’s brother, Aaron is buried, this place is now famous with the name of Jabal Haroun or Mount Aaron. At the head of Petra, there is a site, which in Arab world called as The Wadi Musa or “Wadi of Moses”. It is said that Petra was declined under Roman rule and the major reason of decline at that time was a change in sea-based trade routes. However, the earthquake of 363 in Petra brought a lot of destruction for buildings and water management system. In December 2006, The Jordan Times reported that about 59,000 people visited Petra in October and November 2006 and on 7 July 2007; Petra was included in New Seven Wonders of the World.

Siq Niches:

Siq – Sabinos Alexandros Station:

This master of religious ceremonies came from Dar’a (now in Syria) to celebrate the cult of Dhu-Sharah. He carved the domed baetyl of the god (right) and represented his image standing on two bulls (left).

Siq Path:

Siq Striations:

Al-Khazna (Pharaoh’s Treasury):

No one can forget the experience of seeing the Treasury for the first time while it reveals itself through the cracked rock as you get closer and closer.

It is the most perfect facade in Petra.

It is situated at the end of the Siq with a height of 39.5 m. The lower level is decorated with six Corinthian capitals that are spanned by a frieze of griffins and vases among scrolls. A vegetation goddess is carved in the central tempanon.

Although the original function is still a mystery, the Khazna is believed by many archaeologists to be the mausoleum of King Aretas IV (9BC-40AD).

Recently, three Nabataean tombs were uncovered below the Khazna. They belong to the end of the first century BC.

The upper order consists of a central kiosk decorated with the relief of Isis and flanked by dancing Amazons and Victories. The kiosk is crowned by a capital supporting a funerary urn that was supposed to conceal Pharaoh’s treasures according to local tradition.

Inside the Treasury:

Outer Siq:

Outer Siq – Street of Facades:

The Outer Siq at the exit of the Siq has a row of monumental Nabataean tombs carved in its southern cliff face. The facades are crowned with corner crowsteps, pilasters and cavettos.

Tomb of the 17 Tombs:

Tomb 67:

Tomb 67 is remarkable for its upper cave, probably used to store the tools of the workers. A legend stating that a thief took refuge in this cave is told by the local Bedouins. A water channel of the Roman-Byzantine period closed the entrance to the tomb, which was partially removed during the excavations in 1999 to reveal 20 pyramidal funerary stelae. One of them is inscribed with the Nabataean name “Amliou.”

Tomb 70:

Tomb 70 is free-standing and has corner pilasters adorned with floral scrolls. The crowstep frieze was added at the top of the monument. A water channel, which was supported by a conduit wall built with undressed boulders, passed through the funerary chamber.

Tomb 825:

Tomb 825 is a Nabataean funerary monument topped by side half crowsteps and an Egyptian cavetto. Seventeen shaft tombs and a valuted recess in the back wall were prepared for burials. Funerary stelae are inscribed in Nabataean: nefesh Zayd Qawmw bin Yaqum, Yaqum bin Zayd Qwmw.

The Tomb of Unayshu:

Tomb 813 is the tomb of Unayshu. It is named after the minister of Queen Shaqilat II, the wife of King Maliku II and mother of King Rabel II. She assumed regency when her son was still a minor in 70-76 AD. An inscription in the name of “Unayshu” was found in this tomb in the 19th  century. The facade is decorated with half-crowsteps and corner pilasters. Eleven funerary niches occupy the chamber. A courtyard with porticoes extends in front of the tomb and a triclinium is carved in the northwestern corner. Several inscriptions were found in the tomb bearing the name of Maliku II (40-70 AD) and his wife Shaqilat II.

Theater:

The Theater at Petra is carved at the foot of the High Place of Sacrifice and consists of three rows of seats separated by passageways. Seven stairways ascend the auditorium. The monument was carved in the mountainside during the reign of King Aretas IV (4 BC-AD 27). The Romans rebuilt the stage and back wall. The Theater can accommodate 4000 spectators.

Royal Tombs:

Royal Tombs – Urn Tomb:

Remnants of columns:

Nymphaeum of the City of Petra:

The Nymphaeum was a semi-circular public fountain near the junction of Wadi Musa and Wadi al-Mataha. Six Nabataean columns decorated the facade. It received water from a tank on the opposite side of the valley. Now it is shaded by a juniper tree that is 450 years old.

Wadi al-Mataha:

City of Petra:

Colonnaded Street:

The Colonnaded Street was originally constructed by the Nabataeans and later refurbished after the Roman annexation. Its starts at the monumental steps of the Upper Market. A monumental dedication dates the market to the year AD 114, during the reign of Trajan. There were shops that opened onto the street on its southern side.

Petra’s Great Temple Complex:

Brown University’s excavations of Petra’s vast temple complex and adjoining areas spread over 11,523.95 square meters (37,808.24 square feet). The Temple Precinct itself measures 7560 square meters (24,803.15 square feet). The Petra Great Temple is among the most spectacular architectural wonders of Petra. Founded over two millennia ago, the Great Temple complex was abandoned until its rediscovery by Brown University archaeologists in 1992. Excavations of the complex commenced in 1993 and restoration continues today.

The Great Temple represents one of the major archaeological and architectural components of metropolitan Petra. It is the largest freestanding building yet excavated in the city. Located to the south of the Roman Street and southeast of the Temenos Gate, this precinct is comprised of a Propylaeum (formal entry), a Lower Temenos (a sacred enclosure), and east and west stairways which in turn lead to the Upper Temenos-the sacred enclosure for the Temple proper. In general, the temple precinct is oriented northeast-by-southwest. Nabataean temples are typically oriented according to the terrain. The area designated for construction was leveled, and the temple was placed above the street, connecting the precincts, the major thoroughfare of the central city and the Wadi Musa (a dry watercourse). If the Great Temple was 19 meters in height as is believed, the temple would have stood some 34 meters above the Colonnaded Street.

The entry to the monumental Petra Great Temple complex, the Propylaeum, is situated just south of the street, to the east of the Qasr al-Bint Temenos Gate. Extending across the front of the temple precinct, the Propylaeum is divided into two equal sections, one in the east and one in the west, by the Propylaeum Central Staircase ascending from the Roman Street below.

Early central stairway:

Beneath the Forecourt dposits are the remains of the Central Staircase with 22 stairs remaining. A fine, white stucco step bedding suggests that originally they were clad in either marble or limestone. Most likely they served as the original approach to the temple and went out of use with the construction of the Lower Temenos Retaining Wall. They were blocked off and covered over in Site Phase IV (first centruy BC to first centruy AD) when the Lower Temenos Retaining Wall was constructed.

Monumental Gateway:

The Monumental Gateway leads to the sacred temenos (holy enclosure) and was rebuilt during the Roman period on the remains of a Nabataean monumental gate.

The Temenos of Qasr al-Bint:

The Temenos of Qasr al-Bint measures 180 meters by 100 meters. Benches were built along the southern temenos wall. A dedication to the statue of King Aretas IV was inscribed into the lower row of seats by Abdo, the seer. The exedra at the northwestern end of the temenos wall is dated to AD 167/8.

The Qasr al-Bint monument is almost square (27.9 meters by 27.62 meters) and is set on a podium. It was the main temple of Petra and is still standing to a height of 23 meters. It is approached by a flight of 26 marble steps. Four Corinthian columns between pilasters decorated the northern facade and were covered with stucco. The rear of the sanctuary is occupied by three compartments: the middle one protects the altar platform that housed the baetyls of gods and goddesses, and the two others were supplied with balcony terraces. It is believed that al-’Uzza/Aphrodite and Ba’al Shamin were the main gods of this temple. The temple is dated to the first half of the 1st century AD.

Temenos Wall: