Sacrificial Altar

The High Place, Petra

Three steps ascend to the circular basin, where sacrifices were carried out. The blood of the victims flowed down through the channel and onto the steps. The chamber to the left held water for ritual ablutions.

With their usual genius for cultural amalgamation, the Nabataeans continued this form of worship atop their high places, while enthusiastically adopting Greek and Roman cult in the temples below.