National Geographic Society

High Place of Sacrifice

Far above Petra on a mountain summit, the Nabataeans carved out the High Place of Sacrifice, their most sacred open-air altar where they performed ritual killings of animals. The path to the altar includes obelisks dedicated to the kingdom's two main deities: Dushara, the god of strength, and al-Uzza, the goddess of water and fertility. Along with public worship, the Nabataeans also practiced private worship as evidenced by the shrines and niches cut into the surrounding rock face. They continued to practice this religion for hundreds of years, but by the early fourth century they had adopted Christianity as their main religion.

Special thanks to the Petra National Trust and the Petra Archaeological Park for their assistance on this project.