Athena Review Image Archive ™
Petra: The Corinthian Tomb in the East Ridge
Petra: Facade of the Corinthian Tomb in the East Ridge (photo: Bell Archive A-422)
Petra is located in southwestern Jordan. The site represents a unique complex of ancient temples and tombs carved into the sides of cliffs, dating from the Nabataean, Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine periods.
This March,1900 photo by Gertrude Bell shows the facade of the 2nd century AD Nabataean rock-cut tomb named (somewhat inaccurately) the Corinthian Tomb. In 1828 an early explorer, Leon de Laborde, identified its capitals as Corinthian, whereas both capitals and facade are now considered to be in the Late Hellenistic, Alexandrian style.
The Corinthian Tomb's upper storey, with a rounded, central tholos between a discontinued pediment, is comparable to that on the Khaznet Faroun (Treasury). In the lower storey, several entrances and blank walls occur between eight engaged columns. Between the lower and upper levels is a third, truncated, order with short columns. At far right is a portion of the Silk Tomb.
The Gertrude Bell Archive is located at Newcastle University.
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