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The Arab Nabaṭu, who comprised various nomadic tribes and clans, expanded into the territory of present-day Jordan from the middle of the 1st millennium BC (see History). World famous is their capital Petra. However, Nabataeans evidences can also be seen in other places in Jordan. Here are some of them with localizations and links to our special presentations of the most important archaeological sites:
Where today the popular seaside resort on the Red Sea and the only seaport of Jordan is located, the Nabataeans once had their settlement Ayla with a harbor.
© Photo: Rolf Cosar, Creative Commons 4.0
The magnificent beauty of the landscape of Wadi Rum is world-famous and has been used as filming location for numerous blockbusters. At the former outpost of a busy trade route, the ruins of a large temple, a palatial residence and a luxurious Nabataean bath complex can also be explored.
Founded by the Nabataeans in the 1st century BC, the settlement between Wadi Rum and Petra is considered one of the most interesting sites in Jordan because of the Nabataean, Roman, Byzantine and early Islamic remains. A complex system of water supply dates from Nabataean times.
In the lower part of our photo, you can see the Bab as-Siq, which leads past numerous rock tombs to the Siq, the deep gorge through which you enter the valley of Petra. Behind it rises the Jabal al-Khubtha of light sandstone.
The legendary capital of the Nabataeans is one of the most fascinating destinations in the world. Our comprehensive web guide offers a wealth of thoroughly researched information as well as curated photo tours that show highlights, hidden gems, hiking trails off the beaten path, and provide historical, religious, and cultural context.
At the once major base of long-distance Nabatean trade about 6 km north of the center of Petra, interesting rock structures and well-preserved fragments of a unique Nabatean ceiling painting can be seen in a gorge.
From Siq al-Barid in Al-Beidha you can drive on a winding road over the mountains down to Wadi Arabah and then towards the Dead Sea where the Nabataeans cultivated palms for dates and balsam plants for perfume oil, and collected valuable salt and bitumen.
You can see the following Nabataean remains in that wider region, among others:
A 31 x 22 m and 4 m deep reservoir from Nabataean times stored water for drinking as well as for mining and agriculture. It was fed from springs via an aqueduct.
The museum displays Nabataean exhibits from the cemetery at Khirbet Qazone, which include well-preserved textiles and the mummified body of a Nabataean.
From Petra / Wadi Musa continuing north via the King's Highway:
The summit plateau of the sandstone rock was a fortified retreat especially of the Edomites and Nabataeans. The first written record of the Nabataeans reports the raid of Greek troops in 311 BC on their camp atop the mountain of Sela.
The prominent sanctuary with probably one of the best preserved and restored temples of the Nabataeans can already be seen from the King's Highway. Figure reliefs from its once 15 m high facade are exhibited in the Jordan Museum in Amman. From the ancient village right next to it, one can recognize the pilgrims' hostel, a residential villa, a monumental tomb and Byzantine houses, among others.
On the summit of Jabal et-Tannur was a place of pilgrimage where the Nabataeans celebrated seasonal rituals and banquets. Only the foundation walls of the former temple complex remain, but the arduous climb is worth it just for the magnificent view.
This is said to have been one of the largest Nabataean sites. A tall freestanding piece of a facade in a field of rubble only suggests the extent of the two upper temples. The southern temple (photo) from the 2nd/3rd century AD can usually be visited.
The archaeological site right next to the main road is dominated by a Nabataean-Roman temple with additions and alterations of later periods. The city, called Areopolis in Greek, was once an important administrative center, as evidenced by capitals, columns, the ruins of the church, a large water reservoir, and more.
East of the main road stood a large Nabataean temple complex, which was scavenged by the villagers to build their homes. The thick column stumps of the portico and massive ashlars of the walls indicate how magnificent the temple with its square floor plan and tripartite cella may have been. Some fragments of the roof structure decorated with floral reliefs are lying around the site.
From the King's Highway eastward, it is only a few kilometers to two archaeological sites on the northern edge of Wadi Mujib:
Research has confirmed that the place is Aroër, which is mentioned in the Bible as being "on the banks of the Arnon" (Wadi Mujib). The Nabataean trading post that existed here was destroyed by the Romans. From the remains of a fortified complex on a hill, one has a wonderful view of the deeply cut river valley and the Mujib Dam.
The extensive site includes a small, but quite well preserved or restored Nabataean temple. Irrigation systems and burial sites of the Nabataeans were also found there. At this archaeological site on the edge of the Wadi Mujib one can see remains of settlements from the Bronze and Iron Ages.
From the detour to Arair and al-Lahun, one returns on the same road to Dhiban at the King's Highway:
On the ancient settlement mound there, the foundations of a Nabataean temple have been uncovered, whose basic structure was probably as similar as that of the much larger Qasr al-Bint, the main temple at Petra. In addition, Iron Age, Roman Nabataean, and Byzantine wall remains overlap on the mound.
The Nabataean hall of the museum displays exhibits from various sites, including figure reliefs and sculptures from temples, a copy of a floor mosaic from Wadi Musa, everyday objects, ceramics, water pipes.
The towering walls of black basalt stone of often multi-storied houses and 16 churches built on top of Nabataean and Roman structures testify to the former magnitude of the late antique city, 80 km northeast of Amman. Several inscriptions on stone blocks have survived from the Nabataeans who founded the site in the 1st century AD.
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