In another post on our blog, we analyzed who the Nabataeans were, an ancient civilization fundamental to the country’s identity conception later on. We referred to their most iconic places, such as Petra (Raqmu in their language), Little Petra (Siq al-Barid, in Arabic), and Wadi Rum. But if we trace a Nabatean route, the journey is much broader, reaching other iconic sites for this civilization. In many cases, they are only archaeological sites, and in others, not even that. But their evocative power and the studies conducted on them allow for a better understanding of some aspects of that ancient people.
Places on the Ground in the Nabatean Route
The Nabatean route is not a pre-established itinerary, like the Jordan Trail, for example. This route is more of a collection of places related to Nabatean culture that doesn’t have a specific direction and, therefore, can be done in any preferred order. This is the list of essential places:
- Wadi Faynan: one of the most complex and advanced works of Nabatean civilization, as it preserves a water reservoir fed by an aqueduct, as well as mining and agriculture storage
- Humayma: another site linked to water supply with a cistern, as well as a burial place, sanctuary, and quarries. It’s located between Petra and Wadi Rum
- Khirbet edh-Dharih: probably its sanctuary is one of the best preserved from that civilization. Recently restored and opened to the public, it’s on the King’s Highway (between Karak and Shobak). One must go to the Jordan Museum in Amman to see the reliefs from its facade
- Umm al-Jimal: a site 80 km from Amman whose standing remains are mainly Roman, but built on a Nabatean base. An inscription in their language is also preserved, attesting to the foundation by this civilization
- Khirbet Arair – Aroër: little remains of what the Nabataeans did here, but its interest lies in the fact that the place is evoked in the Bible as “the banks of the Arnon”, which is today’s Wadi Mujib
- Khirbet al-Lahun: located very close to Wadi Mujib, this site is interesting for preserving a small Nabatean temple
- Dhat Ras: important Nabatean enclave with two prominent temples of large ashlars, one of them visitable, about 25 km from Karak
- Rabbath Moab: important administrative center, later expanded and modified, but where religious spaces, water deposits, etc., are still recognizable
- Aqaba: known to the Nabataeans as Ayla, it was the reference port for that civilization, which had great importance in the major trade routes
Museums to Delve into Nabatean Culture
On this route, which we have called Nabatean, we can also mention some museums of interest to delve into their culture, as they exhibit archaeological pieces recovered from the sites mentioned above or from other sources:
- Jordan Museum in Amman: it has its own Nabatean room, where sculptures and reliefs are exhibited, which is a magnificent testimony to their art, which was figurative. Ceramics and other objects of daily use are also displayed
- Museum at the Lowest Point on Earth: another museum that has a space dedicated to this civilization, in this case next to the Dead Sea and with two great attractions: a mummified body and a well-preserved fabric
- Petra Museum: as is evident, visiting this new exhibition and interpretive center is very illustrative of what the Nabatean civilization was and, more specifically, its capital, Raqmu, today’s Petra
These are just some examples of places where the presence and legacy of the Nabataeans are clear. But there are many others scattered throughout the southern half of the country, as well as other sites related to other civilizations that left their mark, such as Romans or Byzantines, among many others. And we can take you to all of them, if you wish.
