Khirbet et-Tannur
Nabataean temple ruins atop of Jabal et-Tannur north of Tafila. Important pilgrimage place from the 2nd century BC to mid-4th century AD.
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Nabataean, 1st half of the 2nd century A.D.
Width 2.47 cm
Khirbet et-Tannur
Jordan Museum, Amman
On the wall of the inner temenos (sacred area) enclosure inside the temple, this relief decorated the tympanum (semi-circular decorative wall surface over an entrance) above the main portal to the altar area.
The female figure is often referred to as the representation of the Atargatis. But according to Robert Wenning, the attributes appearing here do not fit to this goddess of northern Syrian origin. Starting from the head with a face covered with leaves and flowing hair, branches with flowers spread downwards, symbolizing life-giving water. Therefore, the representation is characteristic for water-associated figure types of that time. It could be a personification of the spring Ayn La'ban, which is mentioned in an inscription from Khirbet et-Tannur dated 8 or 7 BC. The name continues to our days in the name of Wadi al-La'ban, the river valley that runs between Jebel et-Tannur and Khirbet edh-Dharih, which is located about 7 km away.
According to Judith McKenzie's reconstruction, this tympanum relief was framed at the top by a semicircular arch. The eagle relief, which is on display in the Nabataean Hall of the Jordan Museum (see next page), is said to have been positioned at the top of this frame, just above the figure's head.
© Photo, text: Haupt & Binder
Nabataean temple ruins atop of Jabal et-Tannur north of Tafila. Important pilgrimage place from the 2nd century BC to mid-4th century AD.
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