High Place

Jebel al-Madhbah, Petra

Upon reaching the High Place on the summit of Jebel al-Madhbah, one has left behind the Hellenistic-Roman city and entered a more purely Semitic religious geography. Here, overlooking the surrounding peaks and valleys in all directions, is the very roof of the world, where heaven met earth and worshipers could stand in the presence of the divine.

The Madhbah high place is the most elaborate of twenty or so in Petra. The photo looks west towards the altar. The pedestal with three steps, in the center of the photo, once held a baetyl of the god, probably Dushara, and possibly also another baetyl of his consort al-'Uzza. The altar itself (next page) stands to the left of the pedestal.