Dates of Excavation: June to mid-August
Description of Excavation
The Great Temple represents one of the major archaeological and architectural components of central Petra. Located to the south of the Colonnaded Street and southeast of the Temenos Gate, this 7560 m2 precinct is comprised of a Propylaeum (monumental entryway), a Lower Temenos, and monumental east and west Stairways which in turn lead to the Upper Temenos-the sacred enclosure for the Temple proper.
Previous excavation within the complex have uncovered a local canalization system below the Lower Temenos, Asian elephant head-decorated capitals, and thousands of architectural fragments, coins, limestone facial frieze elements, lamps, Roman glass, and ceramics which include figurines, Nabataean bowls, small cups, and juglets. Elaborate floral friezes and acanthus-laden limestone capitals suggest the temple was constructed in the beginning of the last quarter of the first century BCE by the Nabataeans who combined their native traditions with the classical spirit. The structure was enlarged later in the Nabataean period in the first century CE. The Great Temple was in use until some point in the fifth century CE, the Byzantine period.
Period of Excavation: Nabataean
Directors: Martha Sharp Joukowsky, Director, Brown University; Joseph Basile, Associate Director
Contact Person: Martha Sharp Joukowsky, Box 1921, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912 USA
Web site: http://www.brown.edu/Departments/Anthropology/Petra/
Accepting students/volunteers? CLOSED