Tombs 21 & 22 of the Qasr al-Bint Necropolis in Hegra

Illustration

Carole Raddato
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published on 21 February 2024
Tombs 21 & 22 of the Qasr al-Bint Necropolis in Hegra Download Full Size Image

Two tomb façades in Qasr al-Bint (Tombs 21 & 22), one of the necropolises of Hegra (Mada'in Salih) in modern-day Saudi Arabia. Tomb 22 (right) is the oldest dated façade in Hegra (along with Tomb 39). It was carved in 1 BCE, the 9th year of the reign of King Aretas IV Philopatris. The Nabataean inscription above the doorway also states that it was carved for Aydu ibn Kuhayl and his descendants and that the deities Dushara, Manat and Qaysha protect this tomb.

Hegra was the southernmost capital of the Nabatean people, a once-nomadic Arabian tribe that settled and grew wealthy from trade in frankincense, spices and other luxury commodities. The Nabatean city peaked between about 50 BCE and 106 CE. Hegra is Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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About the Author

Carole Raddato
Carole maintains the popular ancient history photo-blog Following Hadrian, where she travels the ancient world in the footsteps of Emperor Hadrian.

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APA Style

Raddato, C. (2024, February 21). Tombs 21 & 22 of the Qasr al-Bint Necropolis in Hegra. World History Encyclopedia. Retrieved from https://www.worldhistory.org/image/18503/tombs-21--22-of-the-qasr-al-bint-necropolis-in-heg/

Chicago Style

Raddato, Carole. "Tombs 21 & 22 of the Qasr al-Bint Necropolis in Hegra." World History Encyclopedia. Last modified February 21, 2024. https://www.worldhistory.org/image/18503/tombs-21--22-of-the-qasr-al-bint-necropolis-in-heg/.

MLA Style

Raddato, Carole. "Tombs 21 & 22 of the Qasr al-Bint Necropolis in Hegra." World History Encyclopedia. World History Encyclopedia, 21 Feb 2024. Web. 05 Dec 2024.

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