Obelisk Tomb
Jordan
The Obelisk Tomb was constructed in the first century BCE in Petra. It is an elaborate two story tomb carved from the solid rock. Its facade is an elaborate mixture of Egyptian, Greek, Indian and Nabataean architectural styles. Obelisk Tomb is towered by four obelisks and hence it got its name.
Contents
8 sections · tap a section for its opening lines1Orientation
As you begin your journey into the ancient city of Petra, the first major monument to greet you is the striking Obelisk Tomb. Located in the area known as Bab al-Siq, or 'Gateway to the Siq,' this structure serves as a grand…
Listen in the app2The Nefesh: Symbols of the Soul
The four obelisks atop the tomb are the structure's most prominent and meaningful features. In Nabataean theology, an obelisk or 'nefesh' was a physical manifestation of the deceased person's spirit. …
Listen in the app3The Bab al-Siq Triclinium
Directly below the Obelisk Tomb is a separate structure known as the Bab al-Siq Triclinium. While the upper level was for burial, this lower level was for the living. …
Listen in the app4The Djinn Blocks: Spirit Houses
Just across from the Obelisk Tomb stand several massive, free-standing stone cubes known as 'Djinn Blocks.' The name was given by local Bedouins who believed these mysterious structures were the homes of spirits or 'djinn.' In…
Listen in the app5Nabataean Water Engineering at the Gate
As you stand near the Obelisk Tomb, look at the ground and the low walls surrounding the path. You are standing near one of the most critical points of Petra's water management system. …
Listen in the app6The Ancient Road: Caravan Life
The path you are walking today follows the exact route of the ancient caravan road that brought wealth to Petra. Imagine this road two thousand years ago: it would have been crowded with camels laden with frankincense, myrrh,…
Listen in the app7Erosion and Preservation: The Stone's Story
If you look closely at the surface of the Obelisk Tomb, you will see the effects of two thousand years of wind and rain. The sandstone here is particularly susceptible to 'honeycomb erosion,' where the wind carves small,…
Listen in the app8Closing
The Obelisk Tomb is more than just a stopping point; it is a profound introduction to the spirit of Petra. It combines the sacred and the social, the practical and the poetic, all within a single carved cliffside. …
Listen in the app
What is Obelisk Tomb?
Obelisk Tomb is a place in Jordan with 8 story sections on Tellby. You can read the opening of each section on this page; the sound plays in the app.
| Location | Jordan |
|---|---|
| Type | Heritage |
| Story sections | 8 |
| Text language | English |
| Coordinates | 30.3215, 35.4631 |
| Last updated |
