Iraq al-Amir

Qasr al-Abd stands in a valley west of Amman, a building of the second century BC made from some of the largest stone blocks used anywhere in the ancient Levant, some over six metres long, with lions and panthers carved in relief on the upper courses. Its purpose is argued: palace, temple or mausoleum for the Tobiad family who held the area. Caves cut into the cliff nearby carry an Aramaic inscription with the family name.

Background

The name means Caves of the Prince and is shared by a town of about 6000 people and the caves beside it, about 15 km southwest of Wadi as-Seer. The hills here have many springs and are known for olive trees. People lived in the caves during the Copper Age. One large cave, locally called Mugharat al-Kaniseh, the Cave of the Church, has a facade with a pediment carved with crosses, and a second church stands outside in front of it. Qasr al-Abd stands some 500 metres to the south of the town. Built of local white limestone, it measures 18 by 37.5 metres and rises to about 14 metres, with walls from 90 centimetres to 3.90 metres thick.

Source: Wikipedia, "Iraq al-Amir"

What to look for

• The great blocks - stones over six metres long in the building's walls.
• The carved animals - lions and panthers in relief on the upper courses.
• The disputed purpose - a building read variously as palace, temple or tomb.
• The Tobiad caves - the rock-cut chambers with the Aramaic inscription.

When to go

March to May and October to November are the comfortable months. Summer in the valley is hot. The site keeps daytime hours.

Good to know

The building was reassembled from collapse and much of what stands is anastylosis. There is little shade. Interpretation is limited.

Nearby

Amman is east, and the Cave of the Seven Sleepers is southeast.