Travel Great Temple of Petra: Travel the largest structure of ancient Petra

By Asad Russel –

About the Great Temple, Petra, Jordan:
The Great Temple in Petra is one of the largest Nabatean complex, which dating from the 1st century BC and is a structure of two level. By the archaeologists of Brown University in 1992 it was discovered, still today this side who are excavating.

The history of the Great Temple:
At the site what is found according to the style of fragment, the archaeologist tries to date this site and they think in 1st century BC at the last quarter was built the Great Temple. Until 5th century when started the Byzantine period the temple continued to be used. As indicates its name, to be a temple is assumed generally this structure, and of Petra to the principal deity probably it was dedicated. But within the complex of a bouleuterion or a small theater by the discovery archaeologist found more information of that period in Petra and that was a popular assembly with the valuable written records, and it was actually a huge palace with the large assembly hall the possibility opens. Until 1992 under the rubble and dust remained hidden this temple, by the archaeologists of Brown University it was rediscovered then. In 1993 began the work of excavation and restoration and still going on.

At the Great Temple what to see:
In Petra uncovered still now among the freestanding building the Great Temple is the largest one, about 7,560 square meters the area it covers. Above the Colonnaded Street about 25 meters this temple rises, through the center of this ancient city runs the main street. About 19 meters or 57 feet rose the temple itself indicates the evidence of archaeological. A Lower Temenos consists the complex, by the steep staircase was accessed, and the temple proper which contains the Upper Temenos. With the stones of hexagonal shape is paved the Lower Temenos and on the west and east side was enclosed by the colonnades which are astonishing and about 96 to 120 columns it contained.

Into an exedra or a small apse lead the colonnades each of them. In the temple especially an important role seems to have played the West Exedra, several times it was reconstructed and with the several artifacts like the ceramics, coins and lamps was full. Of an elephant a carving was discovered here and it surprised the archaeologists, because in Petra it is unique, it was in the West Exedra on a capital. Just behind the East Exedra was found a large cistern. The temple proper or the assembly hall flanking of the west and east walkways consists the Upper Temenos. There is the theatron or the puzzling odeon in this area at the center, with the seats of five rows which is a semi-circular shape place of the assembly. About this important structure of ancient time more information will reveal the ongoing excavation and on its purpose and use more light will shed. The Great Temple is a ruin temple site perhaps a palace of Nabateans style and by the UNESCO the Great Temple was announced as a World Heritage Site.    

Posted by : Unknown 6:13 PM Tags : Travel Destinations

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