The Temple of the Winged Lions Publication Project

FAIN: RZ-279826-21

American Center of Research (Alexandria, VA 22314-2909)
John D. M. Green (Project Director: December 2020 to September 2021)
Pearce Paul Creasman (Project Director: September 2021 to present)

Preparation of a print manuscript and digital archive detailing the American excavations at Petra in Jordan (1973-present). (24 months)

The American Center of Research (ACOR) will bring together more than twenty-five contributors to complete a final report on the Temple of the Winged Lions (TWL), an important Nabataean ritual complex within Petra, Jordan, dated to the 1st to 4th century CE. This manuscript preparation project will present the findings of the American Expedition to Petra (1973-2005), and the work of ACOR through the Temple of the Winged Lions Cultural Resource Management Initiative (from 2009). An editorial and advisory team will support specialists in archaeology, geology, and cultural heritage to conduct research using archives, artifacts, and site visits within Jordan. Collaborative research conducted online and in person will relate to the archaeological themes of ritual, economy and society, empire, and local communities, opening up new comparative research directions. In addition to completion of a final manuscript, scholarly and public facing outputs will raise awareness of the final publication.

Associated Products

"The Temple of the Winged Lions, Petra: Reassessing a Nabataean Ritual Complex" (Article)
Title: "The Temple of the Winged Lions, Petra: Reassessing a Nabataean Ritual Complex"
Author: Pauline Piraud-Fournet
Author: John D. M. Green
Author: Noreen Doyle
Author: Pearce Paul Creasman
Abstract: The Temple of the Winged Lions (TWL) in Petra is a Nabataean- and Roman-era ritual complex thought to have been founded in the early first century CE. It fell out of use following a major earthquake in 363 CE. This is a contextually rich site for the study of ancient ritual, economy, and society in the Nabataean and Greco-Roman world and part of a larger complex including workshops and domestic spaces. The deity (or deities) once worshiped there remains unknown. The most common suggestion is that the temple was dedicated to Al-‘Uzza, the Arabian divinity whose Greek equivalent was Aphrodite. This paper presents an overview of excavations there, as well as past and current interpretations of the site. (PDF of the article is attached as supplementary material.)
Year: 2021
Primary URL: http://journals.uchicago.edu/doi/10.1086/716829
Primary URL Description: The URL leads to the University of Chicago webpage where the article is hosted.
Access Model: Subscription
Format: Journal
Periodical Title: Near Eastern Archaeology
Publisher: American Society of Overseas Research

Petra’s Temple of the Winged Lions Volume 1: The Site, Project History, and Architecture (Book)
Title: Petra’s Temple of the Winged Lions Volume 1: The Site, Project History, and Architecture
Author: John D. M. Green
Author: Khaled Al Bashaireh
Author: Nora Alomari
Author: Marco Dehner
Author: Giuseppe Delmonaco
Author: Chrysanthos Kanellopoulos
Author: Pauline Piraud-Fournet
Author: Luca Maria Puzzilli
Author: Francesco Traversa
Editor: Pearce Paul Creasman
Editor: Noreen Doyle
Editor: China Shelton
Abstract: Named for its distinctive column capitals, the Temple of the Winged Lions in Petra, Jordan, was excavated from 1974 to 2005 by the American Expedition to Petra under the direction of Philip C. Hammond. This important Nabataean temple site became the focus of documentation, conservation, excavation, and presentation efforts by the American Center of Research from 2009 to 2021. With its companion volume, this publication brings together the results of those projects. The six chapters in volume 1 discuss the history of the projects, the geological aspects of the site, the architecture and architectural decoration, analysis of the marble, and a catalog of plaster and similar material.
Year: 2024
Primary URL: https://publications.acorjordan.org/books/petras-temple-of-the-winged-lions-vol-1
Primary URL Description: The URL will become active in October, once the volume is published.
Access Model: Open access; a copy of the hardcover print edition will be provided to the NEH when it is available
Publisher: The American Center of Research
Type: Edited Volume
ISBN: 978-1-955918-1
Copy sent to NEH?: No

Petra’s Temple of the Winged Lions Volume 2: The Finds and Community Engagement (Book)
Title: Petra’s Temple of the Winged Lions Volume 2: The Finds and Community Engagement
Author: John D. M. Green
Author: Mukhles M. Al Ababneh
Author: Zeyad Al Salameen
Author: Liaqat Ali
Author: Nora Alomari
Author: Deirdre Grace Barrett
Author: Summer Courts
Author: Caroline Durand
Author: Kathryn M. Grossman
Author: Catreena Hamarneh
Author: Jehad Haron
Author: David J. Johnson
Author: Hussein K. Khirfan
Author: Raneen Naimi
Author: Matthew O’Connor
Author: Tim Penn
Author: Megan A. Perry
Author: David S. Reese
Author: Faris Saadeh
Author: Muhammad Shiraz
Author: Robert Wenning
Author: William G. Zimmerle
Editor: Pearce Paul Creasman
Editor: Noreen Doyle
Editor: China Shelton
Abstract: Named for its distinctive column capitals, the Temple of the Winged Lions in Petra, Jordan, was excavated from 1974 to 2005 by the American Expedition to Petra under the direction of Philip C. Hammond. This important Nabataean temple site became the focus of documentation, conservation, excavation, and presentation efforts by the American Center of Research from 2009 to 2021. With its companion volume, this publication brings together the results of those projects. The sixteen chapters in volume 2 (7–22) discuss sculpture, ceramics, an incense burner, lamps, coins, glass, ground stone tools, worked bone, metalwork, personal ornaments and cosmetic implements, inscriptions, faunal remains, invertebrates, and human remains, as well as visitor surveys and an on-site educational program for children.
Year: 2024
Primary URL: https://publications.acorjordan.org/books/petras-temple-of-the-winged-lions-vol-2
Primary URL Description: This URL will become active in October, when the book is published.
Access Model: Open access; a copy of the hardcover edition will be sent to the NEH when it is available
Publisher: The American Center of Research
Type: Edited Volume
ISBN: 978-1-955918-1
Copy sent to NEH?: No

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