Khirbet et-Tannur — Mountain Shrine
Khirbet et-Tannur — Mountain Shrine Tell
Nabataean (7 BCE–250 CE)·Nabataean·🇯🇴 Tafilah Governorate, Edom Mountains, Jordan
About
About Khirbet et-Tannur — Mountain Shrine
Khirbet et-Tannur — Mountain Shrine in Tafilah Governorate, Edom Mountains, Jordan is a Nabataean (7 BCE–250 CE) temple complex attributed to Nabataean culture. German and Syrian excavations document stratified sequence with ceramic seriation and radiocarbon. The site includes a principal mound and ancillary settlement.
Why it mattersKey Nabataean site illustrating Nabataean (7 BCE–250 CE) temple-complex traditions.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Urban planning of Khirbet et-Tannur — Mountain Shrine
- 02Chronology of lower town
Theories
- 01Administrative centre for Nabataean
- 02Trade hub on Euphrates/Khabur
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c. 7 BCE
- Period
- Nabataean (7 BCE–250 CE)
- Culture
- Nabataean
- Purpose
- Mountain shrine to Qos-Dushara and Allat, zodiac
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c. 7 BCE
Initial settlement
c. 2000 BCE
Major expansion and fortification
On the ground
Structures & features
30.9722° N · 35.7022° E · 518 m · 3 mapped features
Khirbet et-Tannur — Mountain Shrine — Main Mound
moundMain tell mound Khirbet et-Tannur — Mountain Shrine 15 m high with stratified phases
30.9730° N · 35.7030° EKhirbet et-Tannur — Mountain Shrine — Lower Town
settlementLower town settlement 10 ha with houses and kilns
30.9713° N · 35.7017° EKhirbet et-Tannur — Mountain Shrine — Gate Area
gateFortified gate with mudbrick walls and bastions
30.9733° N · 35.7015° E