Tomb IGN17 is located at the northern end of the North sector of the AlBanat necropolis, facing northwest in a particularly steep rock area. The entrance to the tomb’s interior chamber is approximately 4 meters above the current ground level. The tomb’s facade is set back into the massif, with the upper part recessed by about 2 meters and the lower left part only by a few centimeters. The facade features two opposing symmetrical half-crowsteps on an Egyptian entablature, including a cornice and architrave. Below this is an Ionic entablature and two angular pilasters with Nabataean Corinthian capitals, of which the right base is fully preserved, while the left remains incomplete due to a design error.
An epigraphic cartouche is recessed about 3 cm above the entrance portal, which is crowned by an acroterion depicting an eagle with outstretched wings and fishbone-shaped carvings on the flight feathers. The pediment above the portal is adorned with a bas-relief of two snakes and a central, poorly preserved figure. The entrance is framed by quarter-columns with pseudo-Doric capitals and pilasters with Nabataean Corinthian capitals. The interior chamber has a square plan with a funerary niche in the back wall, additional burial cells, and a secondary chamber. The walls and ceiling are well-leveled, while the floor remains irregular with traces of excavation work.
Les tombeaux nabatéens de Hegra vol. II, Nehmé L., Académie des inscriptions et belles-lettres, Paris 2015, pp. 37-41
The Nabataean Tomb Inscriptions of Mada’In Salih, Healey J.F., Oxford University Press, Oxford 1993, p. 101
RCU archive digital media: Inv. n° RCU.2020.184.8, RCU.2022.208.6, RCU.2018.1.44, RCU.2018.1.48
This is the tomb which Hani’u son of Tafsa made for himself and for his children, his sons and his daughters, and for whoever produces in his hand a deed of entitlement from the hand of this Hani’u to the effect that he may be buried in this tomb. And let no stranger be buried in this tomb, and let it not be sold nor any deed of gift or lease or deed of entitlement be drawn up other than if this Hani’u writes it or this Hani’u or his legitimate heir after him buries in it whoever he wishes. And if anyone does other than this, he shall be liable to our lord in the sum of a thousand Haretite sela’s. In the month of Nisan, the fortieth year of Haretat, King of the Nabataeans, lover of his people. Huru the mason son of Uhayu made it.
