Nabataean Tomb Inscriptions at Hegra
The inscriptions provide direct written evidence of Nabataean society and the reigns of its kings. They reveal how families established and protected burial rights, and help historians date the kingdom’s monuments.
About the Discovery
At Hegra, the Nabataeans carved monumental tombs into sandstone outcrops surrounding the ancient settlement. Many tomb entrances carry inscriptions written in Nabataean Aramaic. These texts name tomb owners and their families, establish rights to burial, and warn against unauthorized use or alteration.
Some inscriptions also name the stonecutters and date the work by the regnal year of a Nabataean king. The dated inscriptions range from AD 1 to 75. They provide a remarkably detailed picture of property, family life, law, and royal chronology in the Nabataean kingdom.
Scripture Reference
2 Corinthians 11:32 (mentions King Aretas, a Nabataean ruler; does not describe the Hegra tombs).