by Stephan G. Schmid, Zbigniew T. Fiema and Bernhard Kolb
III. 2013 survey season – structure 5
This is probably the most enigmatic structure at the site and, in addition, rather poorly preserved (figs. 6–9). It appears that this area might originally have featured an outcrop of bedrock possibly marking the site and this situation was utilized to build a very high structure which, intentionally, would have been visible from every possible place, not only in the NE Petra but in the entire Petra valley. The ground plan of the structure is unclear mainly due to the great mass of very large, often well-dressed ashlars, tumbled all around. But it appears that the high bedrock was „hidden“ by a series of consecutive and progressively higher terracing walls and that the building could have been polygonal in plan.
Fig. 6: Overall plan of Structure 5 (plan: J. Falkenberg and M. Holappa)
Apparently, the building would have been crowned by a small quadrangular (?) structure, probably solid (fig. 7). Notably, the connection of Structure 5 with water is apparent. There is one large water conduit and at least three water basins or pools to the west of the structure, partially masonry-built, partially rock-hewn (fig. 8). Furthermore, several blocks in the tumble represent a type characterized by the presence of a slightly concave surface, very smooth as if „polished“ by running water. All that seems to indicate that Structure 5 was, in fact an entirely solid, stepped towering monument, with water provided to the top from which it cascaded down to the pools/basins.
Fig. 7: Structure 5, central construction from S (photo: S. G. Schmid)
This interpretation is underlined by a series of basins – rectangular constructions showing thick layers of hydraulic mortar – descending the slope to the South of Structure 5 (fig. 9). It might be that this monument carried a more „native“ and symbolic, (not unlike Nabataean „high places“) meaning, rather than purely utilitarian. Symptomatic is also the central location of Structure 5 within the high ground of the NE Petra. Perhaps, if the NEPP area was indeed a Nabataean royal residence quarter, as postulated below, this aspect of Structure 5 might also have helped the native population of Petra to closer identify itself with the otherwise Hellenized royal residence quarter. In the same manner in which the Jabal as-Shara brought water to the entire region, Structure 5 within the presumed royal quarters would have brought water into the city centre.
Fig. 8: Structure 5, water basins in the NE part of the structure (photo: S. G. Schmid)Fig. 9: Alignment of water basins following the slope underneath Structure 5 (photo: S. G. Schmid)
