The Jinn Blocks (Funerary Stelae)
50 BC – AD 50
The funerary stelae, locally known as the “Jinn Blocks,” are among the most mysterious and intriguing archaeological phenomena of Nabataean civilization. These carefully carved stone blocks, square or rectangular in shape, resemble Nabataean architectural façades in an abstract and simplified form. Popular folklore long regarded them as “houses of the jinn,” yet modern archaeological research has demonstrated that they were sacred religious symbols associated with Nabataean worship practices and beliefs concerning spirits and deities.
Archaeological texts indicate that the Nabataeans used these stelae to represent aniconic deities—gods not depicted in human form but symbolized through geometric shapes devoid of facial features. This form of symbolism appears to have been a fundamental component of Nabataean religious identity, particularly in connection with their beliefs regarding invisible forces and their relationship with nature and the cosmos. Numerous examples of these stelae have been found throughout Petra, distributed at tomb entrances, sacred façades, and along the Siq, confirming their central role in religious life.
Studies show that the Jinn Blocks belong to a broader category known as Nabataean altars or niches, which were used for offerings and ritual practices. Their earliest appearance in Petra dates to the first century BC, and their use continued into the first century AD. Archaeological surveys have identified more than 200 such stelae, indicating their widespread presence and diverse functions.