Nabatean Tombs Orientation By Remote Sensing: Provisional Results

A study analyzing the orientation of 32 Nabatean rock-cut tombs at Hegra (al-Hijr / Madāʾin Ṣāliḥ) and Petra, Jordan, reveals no dominant alignment despite notable orientations toward cardinal directions. The research suggests that some tombs align with sunrise, sunset, or solstitial/sunrise events, potentially allowing sunlight to enter intricately sculpted facades—a feature likely designed for elite burial sites. Using Google Earth satellite imagery combined with in-situ compass and total station measurements, the study found a positional error of approximately 20 meters between remote sensing data and ground truth. However, definitive conclusions on deliberate orientation remain inconclusive due to limited evidence.

Liritzis, I., Al-Οtaibi, F. M., Castro, B., & Drivaliari, A. (2015). Nabatean Tombs Orientation By Remote Sensing: Provisional Results. Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/ZENODO.33835