Depicting the dead: sculpted funerary portraits at Petra

Representation of the dead in the Nabataean funerary tradition was usually achieved through non-figurative nefesh carvings or inscriptions, according with trends of aniconism in Nabataean visual culture. However, five monumental tombs at Petra are accompanied by busts or statues, perhaps portraits of the deceased, and a possible sculpted funerary bust was discovered in a reused context on the plateau of Jabal al-Khubthah. While the sculpture has been discussed in previous studies, a detailed examination of its architectural and topographical context has not been undertaken. In this article, the relationship between these funerary portraits and the layout and setting of the tombs is discussed, and what this reveals about the possible identity of those portrayed. It is demonstrated how the tombs with funerary portraiture share notable characteristic features in their design, shedding light on their chronology and perhaps why they include portraits. Finally, the portraits are considered within wider regional visual traditions to further understand the reception of classical culture in Nabataean society and the creation of local cultural identities.