Khirbet et-Tannur

Khirbet et-Tannur (Arabic: خربة التنور) is an ancient Nabataean temple situated on top of Jebel Tannur, in today's Jordan. Based on the cults statues iconography, whether the temple was dedicated to the fertility goddess Atargatis and Zeus-Hadad, or perhaps other gods of their own in that form is not yet certain.[1] The only inscription which mentioned a deity was in reference to the Edomite god Qos, who was the equivalent of the Arab god Quzah, the god of the sky. [2]

Not to be confused with Khirbat al-Tannur, a Palestinian depopulated village.
Nabataean depiction of Atargatis from Khirbet et-Tannur that was placed on the inner temenos enclosure entrance

History
Nabataean sculpture of Eagle wrestling with Serpent, Khirbet et-Tannur

The remains of Khirbet et-Tannur consist only of the temple complex on isolated mountain top, which indicate a site solely functioning as a religious high place similar to those in other Nabataean regions.[3] While no dating is established, the temple went through three different phases. the earliest phase of the temple is usually dated around 7/8 BC on the account of an inscription engraved on a small stone block.[4] The final phase was dated by Glueck judging from the temple's sculptures and architectural principles to about the first quarter of the second century AD. [5] A study of ceramics, animal bones and charred plant remains has shown social memories were created through various eating and drinking practices.[6]

References
  1. Khirbet Et tannur (reconstruction of the complex p.76) Judith S. Mckenzie, Sheila Gibson and At. Reyes
  2. "Starcky 1968 p. 209"
  3. Glueck 1937c, p. 364
  4. The religious life of Nabataea p. 244-245
  5. Mckenzie et al. 2002a p.53.
  6. Kamash, Zena (2018-10-03). "'Sweet and Delicious, he who Tastes it will Go Back to it': Food, Memory and Religion in the Roman Middle East". Theoretical Roman Archaeology Journal. 1 (1): 7. doi:10.16995/traj.146. ISSN 2515-2289.

Further reading
  • 2013. J. McKenzie, J. Greene, A.T. Reyes, et al., The Nabataean Temple at Khirbet et-Tannur, Jordan,Volume 1. Architecture and Religion, Annual of the American Schools of Oriental Research 67.[1]
  • 2013. J. McKenzie, J. Greene, A.T. Reyes, et al., The Nabataean Temple at Khirbet et-Tannur, Jordan,Volume 2. Cultic Offerings, Vessels, and Other Specialist Reports, Annual of the American Schools of Oriental Research 68.
  1. Nehmé, Laïla (2015). "Review of: The Nabataean Temple at Khirbet et-Tannur, Jordan. Volume 1: Architecture and Religion. Volume 2: Cultic Offerings, Vessels, and Other Specialist Reports. Final Report on Nelson Glueck's 1937 Excavation. Annual of the American Schools of Oriental Research, 67-68". Bryn Mawr Classical Review. ISSN 1055-7660.
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