Near the south end of Petra, close to the jinn rocks that mark the southern side of the Sacred Area are a series of tombs seldom visited by tourists.
In one tomb there are twelve graves cut into the floor. In that tomb are two reliefs, but one has to step over the pits in the floor and turn around to see them. In the first relief two 1.53 m and 1.62 m long snakes crawl from bottom to top across the wall. The right snake has grabbed the rear leg of a quadruped animal which has its tail stretched upwards, while the left snake approaches its head. Are these snakes the guardians of the graves or do they represent evil?
The second, smaller relief shows an approximately 50 cm long horse with clearly recognizable bridles, which carries a high cube. Is this cube a person, some cargo, or a square block idol? It is thought that such idols representing the divine were carried by the Nabataeans in processions.
It was not until 1907 that the German researcher Gustaf Dalman was made aware of the tomb. Therefore it was not included in the earlier catalogue of Brünnow & von Domaszewski, and for this reason registered only as D 47 today.
Looking south from beside Habis Mountain. This is our starting place for the hike to the southern end of the Sacred Area.
Along the way we pass some very colorful rocks, as well as tombs and caves in the base of Um Al Biyara Mountain.
Eventually we reach the southern tombs, a magnificent set of caves and tombs cut into the white rocks across the end of the valley.
There is lots of places to explore here, including several djinn rocks, as seen in the distance. The snake monument is in a cave here.
Looking at the caves from above with a large block in the background marking the border of the sacred area.
The top of this Jinn Rock is very weathered, like a hunchbacked person. Dan Gibson has wondered if this was the location of صَلَح ٱلْحُدَيْبِيَّة where the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah was signed.
This is a fascinating area.
Inside of one of the cave houses. Yes, this cave actually has square rooms!
In the distance we can see the mosque on the top of Jebal Haroun
Some of the tombs along the bottom of Um al Biyara.
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