In 2004 the cleaning of the rocky outcrop of the Soldier Tomb’s complex was begun. In 2005 this area was completely exposed (fig. 2. 3; cf. fig. 1 for location), revealing a small room measuring 6.0 m x 4.6 m, built in a careless technique by reused stones and containing an important amount of the so-called Ayubid-Mamluk pottery, dating to the 11th to 13th centuries AD.
Fig. 2: Wadi Farasa East, Medieval wall on rocky outcrop in NE corner of the complex (photo: S. G. Schmid)
During the Nabataean period, the entire rock plateau probably formed one single room, with some of the rock carvings for the positioning of the built lateral walls still visible. From this room an opening in the sandstone, probably related to a natural crack but enlarged by human activities leads downwards into another room, completely cut into the rock. Excavation of this room was begun from the SE side, i. e. from the northern portico.
Fig. 3: Medieval room on rocky outcrop in NE corner of the complex (photo: S. G. Schmid)
From this area, two openings give access to the rock cut room (fig. 4). So far, only about half of the sandy fill was cleaned, not revealing any information as for the function and use of this room, measuring 3.6 m x 3.5 m.
Fig. 4: Wadi Farasa East, entrance to rock cut room in the NE corner of the complex (photo: S. G. Schmid)
