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Petra - High Places

Temple of the High Places in Petra Temple of the High Places in Petra

Note vertical Fractures causing a slight displacement of the steps. This may have been caused by an undated seismic event.

Click on Image for high resolution magnifiable image

photo by Jefferson Williams


Introduction
Introduction

The High Place (aka The High Place of Sacrifice) is located on top of Jebel Madbah.

Petra - Introduction Webpage

Aerial Views, Plans, and Sections
Aerial Views, Plans, and Sections

Aerial Views

  • Petra High Places in Google Earth
    Petra High Places in Google Earth

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

Plans, and Sections

Normal Size

  • Fig. 3.5a - Plan and
    Fig. 3.5a

    The High Place. Detailed plan and sections, showing the shallow cuts

    (Brünnow and Domaszewski 1904: Fig.270)

    Rababeh (2005)
    Sections of the High Places from Rababeh (2005)

Magnified

  • Fig. 3.5a - Plan and
    Fig. 3.5a

    The High Place. Detailed plan and sections, showing the shallow cuts

    (Brünnow and Domaszewski 1904: Fig.270)

    Rababeh (2005)
    Sections of the High Places from Rababeh (2005)

Chronology
Undated potential Earthquake evidence

Ben-Menahem (1979:259) and Ben-Menahem (1991:20198) report that three structures in the Araba were fortified to withstand earthquakes between the years 9 BCE and 50 CE. This could reflect indirect evidence of a recent earthquake; primarily due to a Nabatean pattern of quickly repairing structures after earthquakes during this prosperous period. He locates these structures in Petra, Tel el Haliefe, and Wadi Ramm. His references were Avi-Yonah (1975) Vol III and IV and Gleuck (1943).

Unfortunately, Ben-Menahem (1979:259) and Ben-Menahem (1991:20198) did not specify which structure at Petra was fortified. He may have been referring to the “Temple of the High Places” but absent specific information, it is not possible to assess this claim. Although there is potential archeoseismic evidence at the site (i.e. fractures in the steps and platform), the potential evidence is undated.

Notes and Further Reading
References

Articles and Books

Avi-Yonah, M. (1975). The Encyclopedia of Archaeological Excavations in the Holy Land Vol. III, Israel Exploration Society and Massada Press - can be borrowed with a free account from archive.org

Avi-Yonah, M. (1975). The Encyclopedia of Archaeological Excavations in the Holy Land Vol. IV, Israel Exploration Society and Massada Press - can be borrowed with a free account from archive.org

Ben-Menahem, A. (1979). "Earthquake catalogue for the Middle East (92 B.C. –1800 A.D.)." Boll. Geofis. Teor. Appl. 21: 245.

Ben-Menahem, A. (1991). "Four Thousand Years of Seismicity along the Dead Sea rift." Journal of Geophysical Research 96((no. B12), 20): 195-120, 216.

Brünnow, R. and von Domaszewski, A. (1904). Die Provincia Arabia Vol. I. Strassburg: von Karl J. Trübner.

Brünnow, R. and von Domaszewski, A. (1909). Die Provincia Arabia Vol. II. Strassburg: von Karl J. Trübner. - open access at archive.org

Glueck, N. (1943). "Some ancient towers in the plains of Moab." Bull. Am. Sch. Orient. Res. 26: 71-83.

Websites

PETRA: High Place at Nabataea.net

Brünnow and Domaszewski Research Photographs at Princeton University