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Petra - Katute

The rubbish dumps known as "Katoote"

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Copyright UCL Institute of Archaeology


Names
Transliterated Name Source Name
el-Katute Arabic يلءكاتوتي‎‎
Introduction
Introduction

El-Katute is a lesser-known archaeological area within the urban landscape of Petra that has attracted attention for its substantial architectural remains. Excavations carried out in 1958 and/or 1959 led to the identification of what was interpreted as a monumental structure, indicating that the area once hosted a building of considerable scale and significance within the city’s built environment ( Parr 1960).

Although the precise function of the structure at el-Katute remains uncertain, its monumentality suggests a role beyond purely domestic use and points to participation in Petra’s broader civic, ceremonial, or administrative framework. The site therefore contributes to understanding the diversity and complexity of Petra’s urban fabric, particularly in areas outside the city’s most intensively studied monumental zones.

Petra - Introduction Webpage

Maps, Aerial Views, and Photos
Maps, Aerial Views, and Photos

Maps

Normal Size

  • Fig. 1 - Location Map from
    Figure 1

    JW:Map of Petra. Katute is middle left

    Parr (1960)
    Parr (1960)
  • Fig. 1a - Location Map from
    Figure 1a

    The location of the site (McKenzie 1990: Map 7)

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    Jordan et al. (2016)
    Jordan et al. (2016)

Magnified

  • Fig. 1 - Location Map from
    Figure 1

    JW:Map of Petra. Katute is middle left

    Parr (1960)
    Parr (1960)
  • Fig. 1a - Location Map from
    Figure 1a

    The location of the site (McKenzie 1990: Map 7)

    Click on image to open in a new tab

    Jordan et al. (2016)
    Jordan et al. (2016)

Aerial Views

Normal Size

  • Fig. 1b #1 Aerial View of
    Figure 1b #1

    Aerial View of site (F. Berger/D. Jordan)

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    Jordan et al. (2016)
    site from Jordan et al. (2016)
  • Fig. 1b #2 Aerial View of
    Figure 1b #2

    Aerial View of excavation areas (F. Berger/D. Jordan)

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    Jordan et al. (2016)
    excavation areas from Jordan et al. (2016)
  • Fig. 1b #3 Aerial View of
    Figure 1b #3

    Aerial View of geophysical survey areas (F. Berger/D. Jordan)

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    Jordan et al. (2016)
    geophysical survey areas from Jordan et al. (2016)
  • Approximate location of Katute in Google Earth
    Approximate location of Katute in Google Earth

    click on image to explore this site on a new tab in Google Earth

Magnified

  • Fig. 1b #1 Aerial View of
    Figure 1b #1

    Aerial View of site (F. Berger/D. Jordan)

    Click on image to open in a new tab

    Jordan et al. (2016)
    site from Jordan et al. (2016)
  • Fig. 1b #2 Aerial View of
    Figure 1b #2

    Aerial View of excavation areas (F. Berger/D. Jordan)

    Click on image to open in a new tab

    Jordan et al. (2016)
    excavation areas from Jordan et al. (2016)
  • Fig. 1b #3 Aerial View of
    Figure 1b #3

    Aerial View of geophysical survey areas (F. Berger/D. Jordan)

    Click on image to open in a new tab

    Jordan et al. (2016)
    geophysical survey areas from Jordan et al. (2016)
  • Approximate location of Katute in Google Earth
    Approximate location of Katute in Google Earth

    click on image to explore this site on a new tab in Google Earth

Photos

Normal Size

  • Panorama at Katute photo by
    Panorama at Katute

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    Photo by Jefferson Williams - 22 Jan. 2026
    JW

Magnified

  • Panorama at Katute photo by
    Panorama at Katute

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    Photo by Jefferson Williams - 22 Jan. 2026
    JW

Archaeoseismic Chronology
Nabatean Periods and Monarchs

Nabataean monarchs and their regnal dates Figure 2.3

List of the Nabataean monarchs and their regnal dates

Dolinka (2006)


1st century CE Destruction

Discussion

Discussion

References
Notes by JW

Parr (1960:129) reports a partial destruction of interior walls from a building outside of the "monumental structure" at Katute. A tentative 71 CE terminus ante quem for the date of destruction is suggested from numismatics.

Parr, P. J. (1960:129), reported the following from excavations at Trench I in Katute:

Only in two restricted areas, both outside the building, have the original floors been reached, and until more evidence is forthcoming the date of its construction must remain uncertain. But from the secondary surfaces within the building, some of them laid down after the partial destruction of the interior walls, a series of coins gives a firm date for the latest occupation of the structure. Of eight coins so far studied, two are of Malichus II and Shaqilath II (c. A.D. 40-71), five are of Rabbel II and Gamilath (A.D. 71-106, but late in the period, since Gamilath is Rabbel's second consort), and one is of Rabbel with either Shaqilath or Gamilath, this being uncertain. The significance of these coins is increased when it is noted that four of Rabbel II and Gamilath come from the same layer of make-up beneath one of the secondary floors. There can be little doubt, therefore, that the building was in use at the end of the 1st century A.D., and probably right up until the Roman conquest of A.D. 106, though the apparent lack of Roman Imperial coins suggests that it soon feel out of use then. Judging from the fact that the secondary surfaces from which the coins come in some cases seal the first destruction levels of the building, a date in the first half of the 1st century A.D. for its construction is not, perhaps, unlikely. An earlier date than this for the rebuilding of the main wall is precluded by the discovery of a coin of Aretas IV and Shaqilath I (c. 9 B.C-A.D. 40) in a level immediately underlying the construction level associated with that rebuilding.

Parr (1960)

Only in two restricted areas, both outside the building, have the original floors been reached, and until more evidence is forthcoming the date of its construction must remain uncertain. But from the secondary surfaces within the building, some of them laid down after the partial destruction of the interior walls, a series of coins gives a firm date for the latest occupation of the structure. Of eight coins so far studied, two are of Malichus II and Shaqilath II (c. A.D. 40-71), five are of Rabbel II and Gamilath (A.D. 71-106, but late in the period, since Gamilath is Rabbel's second consort), and one is of Rabbel with either Shaqilath or Gamilath, this being uncertain. The significance of these coins is increased when it is noted that four of Rabbel II and Gamilath come from the same layer of make-up beneath one of the secondary floors. There can be little doubt, therefore, that the building was in use at the end of the 1st century A.D., and probably right up until the Roman conquest of A.D. 106, though the apparent lack of Roman Imperial coins suggests that it soon feel out of use then. Judging from the fact that the secondary surfaces from which the coins come in some cases seal the first destruction levels of the building, a date in the first half of the 1st century A.D. for its construction is not, perhaps, unlikely. An earlier date than this for the rebuilding of the main wall is precluded by the discovery of a coin of Aretas IV and Shaqilath I (c. 9 B.C-A.D. 40) in a level immediately underlying the construction level associated with that rebuilding.

Archaeoseismic Effects
1st century CE Destruction

Effect Location Image(s) Description
Displaced Walls a building outside of the "monumental structure" at Katute partial destruction of the interior walls - Parr (1960)

Archaeoseismic Intensity Estimates
1st century CE Destruction

Effect Location Image(s) Description Intensity
Displaced Walls a building outside of the "monumental structure" at Katute partial destruction of the interior walls - Parr (1960) VII +
The archeoseismic evidence requires a minimum Intensity of VII (7) when using the Earthquake Archeological Effects chart of Rodríguez-Pascua et al (2013: 221-224).

Notes and Further Reading
References

Articles and Books

Jordan, David, Mahler, Uwe, Mustafa, Kocak, Berger, Frederick, and Thierry-Hildenbrand (2016) Geophysical Prospection at Petra: Methodical Research within the 2012 al-Katutah Campaign Studies in the History and Archaeology of Jordan 12, Department of Antiquities of Jordan

Koçak, M., Mahler, K.-U., Berger, F., Jordan, D., & Thierry-Hildenbrand, B. (2013) . The 2012 al-Katutah excavations in Petra: Methods and preliminary results . In N. I. Khairy & Th. M. Weber (Eds.), Studies on the Nabataean Culture 1 (pp. 47–58). Amman, Jordan: The University of Jordan Press.

Parr, P. J. (1960). "Excavations at Petra, 1958–59." Palestine exploration quarterly 92(2): 124-135.

Websites

List and brief descriptions of places mentioned in the 1929 Petra Excavation Fund Diary - includes a photo of Katute - from petra1929.co.uk

1929 Petra Excavation Fund Diary entries for Katute - from petra1929.co.uk

Wikipedia pages

List of Nabataean kings