by Stephan G. Schmid, Zbigniew T. Fiema and Bernhard Kolb
IV. General observations
Although the survey of the NEPP area is not yet completed, some general observations can be added in order to underline the importance of the site. Besides the fact that some important and huge structures were identified during our 2011 and 2012 season, some additional points can be made about the area.
The NEPP area, located between the Wadi Mousa and the Wadi Mattaha, at the W foot of the el-Khubta massif, is one of the most privileged areas within the entire city of Petra For some additional elements and observations see. Schmid – Bienkowski – Fiema – Kolb in press. . As we have pointed out in 2011, it is directly served by one of the six fresh water aqueducts. Further, the highly performing water catchment system of the el-Khubta massif brings in additional water in huge quantities. In regard to water management, the NEPP area is the best served one of Petra, with the most direct access to important cubic meters of spring and collected rain water.
Also in terms of geostrategics the NEPP area turns out to be outstanding. The site clearly dominates the entire city centre, being located high up the main communication axes. From the top of the area one has an excellent view deep into the outer Siq, all along the Wadi Mousa and the colonnaded street, up to the Qasr el-Bint and el-Khabis. The argument of the visibility also works in reversed directions: The NEPP area is visible from all over the city centre; it clearly is the most remarkable part of it. Further, this part of the city forms a separated unit, due to its situation between the two wadis and the el-Khubta massif. This would mean improved security and possibility to defense the area, strengthened by the fact that there is a kind of „emergency exit“ through the ceremonial stairs leading to the el-Khubta high place. That there must have been some material wealth displayed in the NEPP area becomes clear from the architectural elements partially discussed above, including decorated architraves, metopes, triglyps and the like. Further, already a first look at the survey pottery shows that there is a considerable quantity of what must be considered pottery of a certain elite. For example, in two seasons of the NEPP we probably collected more terra sigillata on the surface as was found in about ten excavation season at az-Zantur (fig. 20) For terra sigillata from az-Zantur see Schneider 1996. .
All these arguments make it more than likely that the buildings within the NEPP area are out of the common constructions, most probably related to the top of the Nabataean hierarchy. The overall situation, namely an entire area of the city centre separated from the rest of the city and pointed out by numerous privileges and advantages, such as water supply, visibility etc., strongly recalls the situation of the basileia, the royal quarters, in Hellenistic capitals such as Alexandria in Egypt, Antioch on the Orontes, Aï Khanoum in modern Afghanistan and others more See in general terms Hoefpner and Brands 1996; Held 2002. . Therefore, it seems perfectly realistic that the NEPP area could be identical with the Nabataean royal quarters.
