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Meda’in Saleh has 131 tombs spread out over 13.4 kilometers. The city proper as a siq, walls, towers, water conduits, and cisterns. We are trying to collect pictures, maps and other descriptions of this site. If you can help us please email us.

One of the interesting things about Meda’in Saleh is that many of the tombs have inscriptions which describe who built the tomb, who is buried there, and who can use the tomb. Inscriptions like this are common on other Nabataean burial sites, but very few have been found in Petra. Some have wondered if the inscriptions in Petra were painted onto white plaster, which would have crumbled over history. Others have wondered if perhaps there never were any in Petra.

A wall of tombs. Picture from Free-minds.org. Used with permission. www.free-minds.org

A wall of tombs. Picture from Free-minds.org. Used with permission. www.free-minds.org


Right: A street of tombs and facades.  Picture from Free-minds.org. Used with permission. www.free-minds.org

Right: A street of tombs and facades. Picture from Free-minds.org. Used with permission. www.free-minds.org


Note the unfinished tomb on the mountain. Did the wealthy Nabataeans leave Meda'in Saleh in a hurry just at they left Petra?

Note the unfinished tomb on the mountain. Did the wealthy Nabataeans leave Meda'in Saleh in a hurry just at they left Petra?


Picture from Free-minds.org. Used with permission. www.free-minds.org

Picture from Free-minds.org. Used with permission. www.free-minds.org



Inside one of the tombs. Note the shelves that could have been used for storing the bones of family members.

Inside one of the tombs. Note the shelves that could have been used for storing the bones of family members.


Assyrian crow steps adorn this tomb.

Assyrian crow steps adorn this tomb.


Crow-step tomb high on the side of the mountain.

Crow-step tomb high on the side of the mountain.


General view of area C

General view of area C


General view of area F

General view of area F


This tomb seems to be unfinished. Notice that the lower part of the tomb was either never finished, or else it has been totally worn away.

This tomb seems to be unfinished. Notice that the lower part of the tomb was either never finished, or else it has been totally worn away.



Inside tomb 117

Inside tomb 117


Inside Tomb 43

Inside Tomb 43


Inside of one tomb, it seems that someone was cutting blocks out of the floor for use somewhere else.

Inside of one tomb, it seems that someone was cutting blocks out of the floor for use somewhere else.



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