Votive Niche with Baetyls

The Siq
Petra, Jordan

This niche is located within the Siq (previous page). Its carved facade resembles the full-size Petra tombs. Two baetyls, of unequal height, are carved side-by-side within the niche. It is not known which gods are depicted. Near the top of the left-hand betyl, two carved squares indicate the eyes of the deity, with a schematic nose between them. The eroded right-hand betyl is decorated similarly. Small holes, at the top of the niche and on either end of the architrave, once held dowels for affixing bronze plaques.