Fresco, Qasr Amra, Jordan
Zodiac fresco on domed ceiling of caldarium or hot room, Qasr Amra, Jordan. This detail is of a centaur representing Sagittarius. The fresco is an accurate representation of the heavens and the zodiac, with 35 identifiable constellations. It is the earliest painted image of the night sky on a dome. Here we can see evidence of graffiti damage. The original castle complex was built in 723-743 by Walid Ibn Yazid, the future Umayyad Caliph Walid II. It was a fortress with military garrison and residence of the Umayyad Caliphs. Today only the royal pleasure cabin remains, with reception hall and hammam or bath house. Picture by Manuel Cohen
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Amra Astrological Astrology Astronomical Azrak Caliph Caliphate Centaur Constellation Frescoes Graffiti Hammam Hashemite Heavens Hemisphere Hemispherical Jordanian Omayyad Qasr Qusayr Quseir Sagittarius Umayyad Walid Yazid Zarqa Zodiac
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