Another structure that attracted our attention was ST 26, built at the very edge of a promontory protruding towards the city centre (figs. 15. 16). This is the structure that was partially excavated by Morton in the early 1950s and, therefore, the same that had been interpreted by Bennett as being a Nabataean temple. After verification it turned out that the rectangular structure previously recorded is only part of a more substantial building, continuing on at least three sides (N, S, W), while towards E the steep cliff made a further extension impossible.
Fig. 15: Umm al-Biyara, detail of plan showing ST 26 (plan: G. Teltsch and W. Kennedy)Fig. 16: Overall view of ST 26 (bottom) with view over Petra and Wadi Mousa (photo: S. G. Schmid)
However, the regularly cut off rock that was previously interpreted as steps suggests instead the positioning of a major wall, using the classical Nabataean technique of a zigzag-like contact between the built and the rock-cut parts of walls. Within the main structure, i. e. the one already mapped by the British in 1965, parts of the original floor slabs still are visible in situ. In the SE part of that room, a rectangular structure built of two ashlars and measuring 66 x 80 cm stands directly on the floor slabs (fig. 17).
Fig. 17: Floor slabs with pillar in ST 26 (photo: S. G. Schmid)
This structure is likely to be the lowest layer of a rectangular pillar. Perfectly aligned to it but a few metres to the W stands an ashlar of a similar construction. Within this structure several fragments of Nabataean horned pilaster capitals were found; another one of the same type and with the same dimensions (21 cm of height) was collected from the rubble of the same building sloping down the cliff on the S side (fig. 18). The pilaster capitals are likely to have decorated the back walls of the supposed courtyard. It would be very interesting to know whether this courtyard was left open towards the city centre (E), and, therefore, making it a terrace with a truly spectacular view, or whether it was surrounded on all four sides with walls. Needless to say, this kind of structure has nothing whatsoever to do with a Nabataean temple.
Fig. 18: Nabataean horned pilaster capital from ST 26 (photo: S. G. Schmid)
Like the previously discussed structure 20, from ST 26 too come some hints regarding its ancient interior decoration. Several fragments of a yellowish limestone with small shell inclusions were found, belonging to very carefully cut slabs (fig. 19a top). These slabs are of excellent quality and show a nice natural decoration pattern once they are wet, due to the shell inclusions. From the area of Morton’s trench several fragments of marble slabs were collected (fig. 19), belonging to different white and coloured marbles, indicating a luxurious interior decoration for ST 26 as well.
Fig. 19: Lime stone and marble slab fragments from ST 26 (photo: S. G. Schmid)
