Station: [20] Nabataean Figurines

A great many terracotta figurines have come to light in Petra and the surrounding area. Unfortunately, we know nothing about the circumstances in which most of these animal- or human-shaped figurines were found. That makes it difficult to determine their chronology or understand their development.

However, we can easily work out how they were produced. The majority of the figurines were made using templates. Fresh clay was pressed into a mould made of plaster or clay. That allowed for serial production in large quantities. But it’s also what now makes dating them tricky, because repeated impressions of a prototype could be made without significant changes to the templates.

The human-shaped terracotta figurines seem to reflect oriental influences. Examples are a nude boy with a pomegranate and a pendant in the shape of a crescent moon. Or a goddess enthroned on a stool. The Isis figurines clearly reveal Egyptian influence.

Surprisingly, however, there’s a preponderance of animal figurines among the finds, especially dromedaries and horses without riders. These types don’t occur beyond the borders of the Nabataean kingdom. The animals’ tack in particular is rendered in fine detail. The dromedaries have patterned saddle cloths and carved saddles with pockets. Secured to the saddle are a round shield, a dagger, a sword and a water container. The horses display carefully crafted saddles and breast and tail straps with decorative bands. Excavation finds and evidence from ancient writers indicate that horses weren’t part of everyday life for the Nabataeans. Yet they account for the largest group of figurines discovered so far. Perhaps they can be seen as votive offerings from Nabataeans whose sons served in the Roman army and rode a horse or a dromedary.