Hegra: Marvel At History Of Nabataeans (image: instagram.com/experiencealula/)
Hegra is Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site. When the Hegra Archaeological Site (al-Hijr / Madā ͐ in Ṣāliḥ) opened for tourists, it unraveled the history of Nabataeans, one of the most fascinating civilizations in the world. Hegra, at south of Jordan’s Petra is at a meeting point between various civilisations of ancient times, on a trade route between the Arabian Peninsula, the Mediterranean world and Asia. Besides, it stands as a unique testament to Nabataeans’ architectural excellence and hydraulic expertise.
Being the largest conserved site, Hegra locates over 110 well-preserved Nabataean burial tombs. Each one carved into desert rock, it provides interesting insights into their enigmatic lives. Among the 111 monumental tombs, 94 are preserved with facades dating from the 1st century BC to the 1st century AD.
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The oldest tomb at Hegra dates back at 1 B.C. and the most recent traced from 70 A.D. The largest tomb at Hegra is the monolithic Tomb of Lihyan Son of Kuza, also known as Qasr al-Farid, meaning the “Lonely Castle” in English, measured about 72 feet tall.
For the curious travellers, who marvel at history – Nabataeans and their lives will be interesting to know. Since the tombs at Hegra are in better condition, it offers travellers a closer look into the forgotten civilization. The constructions are evidently inspired from Classical Greek and Roman architecture; many tombs comprise capital-topped columns that hold a triangular footing above the doorway or a tomb-wide pillar.
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“A Nabataean “crown,” consisting of two sets of five stairs, rests at the uppermost part of the facade, waiting to transport the soul to heaven. Sphinxes, eagles and griffins with spread wings—important symbols in the Greek, Roman, Egyptian and Persian worlds—menacingly hover above the tomb entrances to protect them from intruders. Others are guarded by Medusa-like masks, with snakes spiraling out as hair,” Smithsonian Magazine observes.
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Aside from that, the site locates some 50 inscriptions of the pre-Nabataean period and some cave drawings. It also features ancient engineering wonders like wells, stone-lined water channels, and Roman-influenced defensive walls, gates, and towers.
Comparing to earlier times, both domestic and foreign tourists are making great influx to Hegra, and tickets are available online. Tours are provided in Arabic and English, as per reports.
