Petra Tour: Al-Khazneh
The most famous monument in Petra, the 39-meters-high mausoleum for a Nabataean king or queen, carved deep into the rock face during the first half of the 1st century AD.
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The Nabataean adaptation of Corinthian capitals is closely oriented on Alexandrian models. From a ring with a semicircular profile rise a double row of serrated acanthus leaves which are curled over at the top. The finely worked tendrils in the central fields between the corner volutes vary in each capital and incorporate different flower shapes (see our detailed photo above).
The abacus (cover plate, upper end of a capital) consists of a square basic form with bevelled corners that are drawn outwards. The edges are horizontally structured by a staggered profile. A pine cone framed by serrated leaves protrudes from the middle of the curved long sides. These bosses are broken off at the front sides of four of the capitals and only the inner ones remain. Also this shape is reminiscent of the Nabataean horn capitals.
© Photo, text: Haupt & Binder, Universes in Universe
The most famous monument in Petra, the 39-meters-high mausoleum for a Nabataean king or queen, carved deep into the rock face during the first half of the 1st century AD.