Qasr al-Bint Altar

Qasr al-Bint Altar

View looking north at the large altar that is situated in the forecourt of the Qasr al-Bint.  It is 45 feet wide, 40 feet long, and 10 feet high!   It is aligned with the central axis of the temple.  The wide staircase that leads up to the altar from the south is clearly visible.  The altar was used for sacrifices, probably to Dushara, the chief god of the Nabatean pantheon.

It was constructed at the same time as the temple, Qasr Al-Bint.  It was refurbished after the conquest of Nabatea in A.D. 106 by Trajan.