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Tomb IGN9 is located in a high wall of the massif in sector II of the AlMahjar necropolis, facing west. The tomb is of the Hegra-type and features a facade with two half-crowsteps, an Egyptian entablature consisting of a cornice with a torus moulding, and an architrave with a plain band. This is followed by an attic and a Greco-Roman entablature composed of a cornice, a plain frieze, and an architrave, supported by two angular pilasters with Nabataean Corinthian capitals. The entrance is adorned with a tympanum featuring three acroterial supports without acroteria, a Greco-Roman entablature, and pilasters with eroded capitals. A rectangular cartouche set back about 1 cm contains an inscription (H1) mentioning the owner’s name, Hawšabū of Tayma, and his wishes regarding the tomb.
The facade shows climbing notches carved on the right trench and numerous inscriptions that are visible only at a close distance. The left trench features two rectangular betils in relief, and the right trench includes a rectangular burial cell with an inscription enclosed within a rectangular contour. The entrance, elevated about 3.60 meters from the ground, is preceded by a rectangular terrace. Below the tomb, there are additional inscriptions and drawings, including a stylized figure of a dromedary.
Les tombeaux nabatéens de Hegra vol. II Nehmé L. Académie des inscriptions et belles-lettres Paris 2015 pp.21-25
The Nabataean Tomb Inscriptions of Mada’In Salih Healey J.F. Oxford University Press Oxford 1993 p.68 81
Guide to Hegra: Archaeology in the Land of the Nabataeans of Arabia Nehmé L. Skira Paris 2021 p.153
The interior of Tomb IGN9 is one of the most complex at the Hegra site, consisting of a rectangular main chamber with 9 burial niches, 37 burial cells, and 12 pit tombs. The burial niches are rectangular and arranged in groups of three on the back, left, and right walls. The burial cells vary in size and are arranged along the four interior walls and within the niches. The pit tombs are distributed on the floor of the main chamber and within the niches. The chamber is developed on two levels, creating a raised perimeter about 1 meter high, maximizing the usable space for burial structures. The entrance shows holes likely used for door attachment, with residues of grey-white mortar around the burial structures and upper holes.
