Obelisk Tomb and Bab as-Siq Triclinium - Petra, Jordan

Obelisk Tomb and Bab as-Siq Triclinium

This burial complex is unique in the Nabataean architecture. It consists of two very different rock-cut structures, both of which were built at the same time during the reign of Malichos II (40 - 70 A.D.), and were coordinated in their functions. The inscription on the opposite side of the pathway indicates the owner - see previous page.

The name Obelisk Tomb is misleading, because the four pointed pillars (the highest measuring 7 m) are nefeshes, which have a different meaning than the ancient obelisks. They probably embody those buried in the four side graves of the inner chamber. The head of the family seems to be depicted in the relief of a standing man with a long robe at the top center of the façade. His burial place was in the floor of the large arched central niche at the back wall of the burial chamber, which is about 6 m wide, 5.70 m long and almost 4 m high.

On the right in front of the 16 m wide façade a small stibadium (semicircular dining bench) was carved into the rock platform for rituals in honour of the deceased. The deep T-shaped basin next to it is a later addition, perhaps for collecting rainwater.

Close to the staircase, which leads up to the left side of the complex, there is a cistern at half height.

Bab as-Siq Triclinium
A triclinium is a dining room widely used in Antiquity with three benches (or sofas) on which the guests reclined while feasting. In Petra, more than a hundred such triclinia of various sizes have been found, about a quarter of them in connection with tombs for ritual banquets in honour of the deceased.

Although the Bab as-Siq Triclinium (BD 34) is designed quite differently from the Obelisk Tomb (BD 35), it was created at the same time and in exact coordination with it, which is proven by photogrammetric surveys (40 - 70 A.D. - see Obelisk Tomb).

The strongly weathered façade, about 15.5 m wide and 11 m high, is classified as a complex classical type in Nabataean rock architecture. The lower level is divided by four engaged columns and a pilaster with quarter columns at both corners, all crowned by Nabataean capitals. The upper part is adorned by several broken (open) pediments: a flat one above the architrave, framing the high arched pediment above the entrance; the largest one in the middle; and probably also on the outer sides above, of which only the left part of the pediment remains.

The central interior with the triclinium is approx. 6.4 m wide, 7.4 m long and 4.3 m high. The three stone benches on the walls, 2 m deep and approx. 90 cm high, were to be climbed over two steps at the corners. In the back wall there are two square loculi (compartments to house the body) with graves.

Grave chambers were carved out of the rock on both sides of the triclinium. In the left one four graves are embedded in the ground. The right chamber consists of two rooms. In the first one a nefesh can be seen engraved into the left wall. In the corner is the access to the rear room with four floor graves, which are rounded at the ends.

Petra Tour: Bab as-Siq
In the necropolis along the path from the Visitor Centre to the deep gorge of the Siq, one can see remarkably unusual burial sites, including some of Petra's oldest.

https://universes.art/en/art-destinations/jordan/petra/bab-as-siq/obelisk-tomb