NABATAEAN FERTILITY MYTH, PLACE, TIME, RITUALS AND ACTORS BASED ON ARCHAEOLOGICAL EVIDENCE

Abstract

This paper aims to shed light on the Nabataean fertility mythology, based on the sculptures found at Khirbet

et-Tannur Temple, located in south of Jordan. The unearthed temple and statues are important as they offer

us considerable information about Nabataean religion. This paper concentrates on two high-relief statues

discovered at the temple, both appeared as a female and male couple, a depiction of enthroned Atargatis

with two lions on either side guarding her, and the enthroned Baalshamin with two bulls. In addition to the

fertility mythology and rituals, the study focused on Khirbet et-Tannur site, where such rituals were

performed, an emphasis was on practices and occasions of relevance.

The results achieved in this paper insured that the main Nabataean fertility couples deities were Baalshamin,

the sky god and Atargatis, the earth goddess. The isolated place on a high place, the architectural plan of

Khirbet et-Tannur temple, some of its features and the plenty of sculptures found at the site, all that, quali

fied it to be one of the main Nabataean temples to hold their cycle fertility ceremonies in which they prac

ticed and performed different kinds of rituals with the company of the royal family, priests, musicians.