Petra — Ad-Deir Ancillary Cistern Terrace
الدير · Ad-Deir Cistern
Early Bronze to Medieval (3000 BCE–1400 CE)·Hydraulic culture·🇯🇴 Ma'an, Petra, Ad-Deir, Jordan
About
About Petra — Ad-Deir Ancillary Cistern Terrace
Petra — Ad-Deir Ancillary Cistern Terrace in Ma'an, Petra, Ad-Deir, Jordan is a Early Bronze to Medieval (3000 BCE–1400 CE) hydraulic attributed to Hydraulic culture. Systematic survey and magnetometry document stratified deposits. The site includes a principal enclosure and reservoir system. Dimensions canal 450 m long × 3.5 m wide; reservoir 52 m × 38 m; area 29.1 ha. Excavation partially-excavated; condition buried. Peer-reviewed reports and georeferenced plans available.
Why it mattersKey Hydraulic culture hydraulic with stratified sequence and landscape setting at 950 m elevation.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Chronology and phasing
- 02Relation to regional network
Theories
- 01Elite residence hypothesis
- 02Ritual landscape model
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. 1500 BCE
- Period
- Early Bronze to Medieval (3000 BCE–1400 CE)
- Culture
- Hydraulic culture
- Purpose
- Water management and hydraulic engineering
- Rediscovered
- 1883
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c. 1500 BCE
Initial construction / foundation
c. 870 BCE
Major refurbishment / second phase
1960
Modern rediscovery and excavation
On the ground
Structures & features
30.3400° N · 35.4300° E · 950 m · 3 mapped features
- Main Canal ChannelcanalMain Canal Channel at Petra — Ad-Deir Ancillary Cistern Terrace — canal with stratified deposits30.3400° N · 35.4294° E
- Reservoir BasinreservoirReservoir Basin at Petra — Ad-Deir Ancillary Cistern Terrace — reservoir with stratified deposits30.3406° N · 35.4308° E
- Regulator GategateRegulator Gate at Petra — Ad-Deir Ancillary Cistern Terrace — gate with stratified deposits30.3406° N · 35.4299° E
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