Petra Tour: High Place of Sacrifice
One of the most beautiful tours in Petra leads to the high sanctuary on the Jabal al-Madhbah, passing the so-called obelisks, and down into Wadi Farasa East.
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The High Place of Sacrifice on the approximately 65 m long plateau of the Jabal al-Madhbah consists of several installations for cultic practices. Most likely, Dushara, the main god of the Nabataeans in Petra, was worshipped here.
The recessed area in front of the altar, measuring approximately 14.5 m x 6.5 m, and often referred to as the courtyard, was a triclinium for ritual banquets where the participants lay on the three outer edges. At the south-western corner the border is missing, because that is where the slope begins. The area is lowered towards the south-eastern corner (left in the photo), where the rainwater drains off through a 20 cm wide gutter.
The 10 cm high and 152 x 77 cm large platform in the middle probably served to prepare the food for the sacred meal.
The centre of the site of worship is the west facing altar with the so-called god throne (mōtab), on which one or more betyls would have been placed. More about this, on the following pages.
© Photos, text: Haupt & Binder
One of the most beautiful tours in Petra leads to the high sanctuary on the Jabal al-Madhbah, passing the so-called obelisks, and down into Wadi Farasa East.