The Chronology of the Façade Tombs at Petra: A Structural and Metrical Analysis

Abstract

Due to the lack of absolute dating evidence for the rock-cut façade tombs at Petra, their traditional chronology has been largely based on typology and an assumption of increasing complexity with time. The author's current research involves a comprehensive study of the rock-cut chambers behind the façades from first-hand examination and documentation of the interiors, which are then subjected to detailed statistical analysis. This paper presents some of the results of these new analyses and, as such, is intended to generate debate and comment. Relationships are determined between dimensions and frequency of types of façades and their chambers, as well as the form and placement of burial installations. These results are significant when new evidence presented for a relative chronology between façade types is considered. Contrary to the traditionally assumed increase in complexity with time, it is proposed that the larger and more complex types of the non-classical façades (Double Pylon and Hegr Tombs) have a tendency to be chronologically earlier than their smaller and simpler versions (Single Pylon and Step).

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