The Memorial of Aaron Jabal Haroun (near Petra)

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3 The Memorial of Aaron: Location: to the SW of the World Heritage Site of Petra – ca. 12 km by foot; Ca m above sea level – the peak of Jabal Haroun and the site of the weli; The Monastery is located at ca m, that is, ca. 70 m below the peak and ca. 150 m to its west;

4 The Muslim shrine or weli at the peak of Jabal Haroun.

5 The Weli, in which Aaron’s Tomb is located, at the peak of Jabal Haroun.

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7 The Tomb in the lower level of the weli at the peak of Jabal Haroun.

8 The Muslim Shrine and Monastery below it and to its west.

9 These aerial photos taken by David Kennedy, Univ. of Perth, AU.

10 Aaron in the Bible: Brother of Moses and Miriam; Moses’ spokesperson; Ancestor of the priestly Aaronites; He and Miriam opposed Moses; He and others rebelled against God at the waters of Meribah; He, Hur, and Moses and the battle against the Amalekites; Aaron and the “Golden Calf”.

11 Biblical Texts on the Death of Aaron: Numbers ; Deuteronomy ; Deuteronomy 10.6.

12 Other Ancient Texts on the Death of Aaron: Josephus (Antiquities); Eusebius (Onomasticon) and Jerome (Book on the Sites and Names of Places of the Hebrews);

13 Early Christian Presence at Petra and Jabal Haroun: Galatians 1.17; Churches at Petra (The American Center of Oriental Research): The Church of Saint Mary (“Petra Church”) (late 5 th -early 6 th century) (Figs ); The Ridge Church (6 th century); The Blue Chapel (late 5 th -early 6 th century) Bishops attested at Petra; The Urn Tomb at Petra made into a church (AD 446); John Moschus (late 6 th -early 7 th century); The Petra Papyrus (AD 573); The Life of Saint Stephen the Sabaite; Al-Mas`udi, an Arab historian; The Crusader period ; Gilbert the Abbot.

14 The Church of St. Mary/Petra Church – Interior with tour group.

15 A segment of the mosaics within the Church of St. Mary/”Petra Church”.

16 Blue Chapel within Petra – reconstructed.

17 Blue Chapel, to the North of the “Petra Church”, within Petra.

18 The Petra Papyrus – in a display case.

19 The Urn Tomb at Petra.

20 The Urn Tomb converted into a Church – Apse area.

21 Islamic Tradition on Jabal Haroun: Jabal Nabi Haroun (“Mountain of the Prophet Aaron”); The presence of a Muslim shrine (weli); Evidence from Medieval Jewish Literature: List of Jewish tombs outside the Holy Land; A place where Jewish patriarchs are buried outside the Holy Land (1537). Bilingual Sign at the Bottom of the Stairs leading to the Muslim Shrine.

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23 Aaron’s Tomb within the Shrine.

24 Archaeology: History of Exploration; Peterman and Schick: Muslim Shrine, pre-existing church; and monastery below and to the west; See Fig. 11.5, p. 216; The Finish Jabal Haroun Project (FJHP); See Fig. 11.6, p. 217; Excavations of the Monastery of Saint Aaron at Jabal Haroun; Fiema and Frosen, Petra – The Mountain of Aaron. Vol. I – The Church and the Chapel.

25 The Excavated Monastery at Jabal Haroun.

26 Monastic Complex: Church and Chapel; See Fig. 11.6: Plan of the Monastery; See Figs ; The Western and Northern Areas; See Fig. 11.6; See Figs ; Southern Western Quarter; Central Court.

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29 Monastic Complex – Memorial of Aaron at Jabal Haroun

30 Monastic Complex – Memorial of Aaron at Jabal Haroun.

31 Monastic Complex – Memorial of Aaron at Jabal Haroun.

32 Monastic Complex – Memorial of Aaron at Jabal Haroun.

33 Basilica at Monastic Complex at Jabal Haroun.

34 Basilica at Monastic Complex at Jabal Haroun.

35 Chapel area with Baptismal Font covered – Monastic Complex at Jabal Haroun.

36 Northwest Segment of Monastic Complex.

37 Segment of Chapel Area at Monastic Complex.

38 Courtyard outside Church at Monastic Complex at Jabal Haroun.

39 Area of possible Caravanserai and/or Hostel.

40 Area of possible Caravanserai and/or Hostel.

41 Bedouin Guide on the way to Jabal Haroun.

42 Bedouin Guide on the way to Jabal Haroun (2008).