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- Title
The crowsteps motif in Nabataean architecture: insights into its meaning and use.
- Authors
Rababeh, Shaher; Rabady, Rama Al
- Abstract
Nabataeans, in constructing their tombs, added many symbols and geometrical forms, plants and animals. Crowsteps, as a geometrical form, are the most common among these symbols. This study investigates the use of the crowsteps motif found frequently on the facades of Nabataean tombs. The primary focus is to replace models of typological explanation for the introduction of crowsteps into the Nabataean rock-cut facades. The study begins with tracing the origin of the crowsteps motif and the way it was adopted by the Nabataeans to become one of the most significant features in the making of Nabataean architectural vocabularies. It then provides a theoretical framework for explaining the use and meaning of the crowsteps in Nabataean architecture. Thematic analysis of related literature and existing architectural remains allows us to suggest that crowsteps served both sacred and secular purposes. Sacredly, crowsteps were used to connect the deceased with the principal deities through metaphorical representation either as a 'high place' or as a 'throne'. Secularly, crowsteps served basic human needs: representing identity, wealth and social structure. The study also considers that the Nabataean rock-cut crowsteps activated the dialogue between different cultural traditions and helped in shaping the ideological cult and identity of the Nabataeans.
- Subjects
JORDAN; NABATAEAN architecture; ARCHITECTURE &; geometry; THEMES in architecture; TOMBS; SYMBOLISM in architecture
- Publication
Arabian Archaeology & Epigraphy, 2014, Vol 25, Issue 1, p22
- ISSN
0905-7196
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1111/aae.12039