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The triclinium chamber Ith20, known as IGN16 or Diwan, is located just before the entrance of a canyon in the right massif of the West sector in the Ithlib area. The structure is partly buried in sand both externally and internally to protect it from the continuous passage of people. The chamber is sheltered by a natural canopy formed by an overhang of the massif, which is affected by a widespread phenomenon of alveolization and significant erosion.
Outside the chamber, there are some basins for ablutions, and a staircase is visible on the upper right side, probably used by stonecutters in ancient times to reach the excavation site. Access to the ancient work area was also facilitated by a walkway carved to the left of the left cleaning trench, of which only a small part is preserved today. The wall to the left of the pilaster has been completely leveled to create a smooth plane, possibly for engraving inscriptions.
Axe, Pick, Point chisel, Flat chisel, Tooth chisel
Sandstone, Mortar (various layers on benches), Paint film (red and black on walls and benches)
Mission archéologique en Arabie: El-Ela d’Hégra à Teima Harrah de Tebouk vol.II Jaussen A. & Savignac R. E. Leroux Paris 1909-1914 pp.79-108
Les tombeaux nabatéens de Hegra vol. I Nehmé L. Académie des inscriptions et belles-lettres Paris 2015 pp.141-145
Guide to Hegra: Archaeology in the Land of the Nabataeans of Arabia Nehmè L. Skira Paris 2021 pp.162-177
The Diwan 20231109 RCU archive digital media Inv. n° RCU.2020.184.2, RCU.2019.21.3.1, RCU.2020.228.19, RCU.2020.228.20, RCU.2020.58.19, RCU.2020.58.20, RCU.2020.58.21, RCU.2020.58.22
The facade features a simple architectural order with a beveled cornice and plain architrave supported by two angular pilasters with pseudo-Doric capitals. The external pilasters show significant erosion and exfoliation. The interior of the triclinium is a spacious square room, approximately 12 meters on each side, with continuous benches arranged in a horseshoe shape, about 1 meter high. The interior walls and benches show traces of red and black polychrome paint, with some paintings likely depicting landscapes with people riding horses.
The chamber’s ceiling is significantly damaged, with large portions missing, and the remaining areas are affected by exfoliation and delamination. The interior walls are also marked by numerous cracks, widespread pitting due to the loss of clasts scattered in the matrix, and traces of past interventions, including various mortars used for repairs. The benches show traces of different mortars layered as follows: grey mortar, white mortar, and a superficial red clay-like mortar, possibly used in more recent restoration efforts.
