Qasr al-Bint Altar Detail

Qasr al-Bint Altar Detail

View looking northeast at the large altar that is situated in the forecourt of the Qasr al-Bint. The paving of the forecourt of the temple (Qasr Al-Bint) in which the altar is situated is clearly visible.

The altar 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.