PETRA

The Jordanian ancient city PETRA, meaning 'rock', is a historical and archaeological city in the Jordanian govern-orate, which is famous for its rock-cut architecture and water conduits system. It is a symbol of Jordan as well as its most visited tourist attraction. It lies on the slope of Mount Hor in a basin among the mountains which form the eastern flank of Arab-ah, the large valley running from the Dead Sea to the Gulf of Aquaba. The  site remained unknown to the western world until 1812, when it was introduced by Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt. It was described as "a rose-red city half as old as time" in a Newdigate Prize winning poem by John William Burgon.


During 1200 BC, the Petra area was populated by Edomites and the area was known as Edom (red). Before the Israelite incursions, the Edomites controlled the trade routes from Arabia in the south to Damascus in the north. Edomites at Petra were known for their wisdom, their writing, textile industry, the excellence and fineness of their ceramics, and their skilled metal working.


The next chapter of history belongs to the Persian period, during which, the Nabataeans (ancient people of Arabia) migrated into Edom, forcing the Edomites to move into Southern Palestine. At this time, during the Hellenistic rule of the Seleucid s, and later, the Ptolemies, the whole area flourished with increased trade and the establishment of new towns such as Philadelphia (now Amman) and Gerasa (now Jerash).Infighting between the Seleucid s and Ptolemies allowed the Nabataeans to gain control over the caravan (camel train) routes between Arabia and Syria.


With Nabataean rule, Petra become the center for spice trade. It was during this period, that the most impressive structures of Petra were built, including the Treasury, the Great Temple and the Qasr El-Bint El-Faroun.Their classical monuments reflect the international character of the Nabataean economy through their combination of native tradition and the classical spirit. But among the most remarkable of all Nabataean achievements is the hydraulic engineering system they developed including water conservation systems and the dams that were constructed to divert the rush of swollen winter waters that create flash floods.

In 63-64 BC, the Nabataeans were conquered by the Romans. Completely subsumed by the Romans under the emperor Trajan in 106 CE (AD) , Petra and Nabataea then become part of the Roman province known as Arabia Petraea with its capital at Petra. By 313CE, Christianity had become a state-recognized religion. In 330CE, the Emperor Constantine established  the Eastern Roman Empire with its capital at Constantinople. Although 363 earthquake destroyed half of the city, it appears that Petra retained its urban vitality into late antiquity. The inhabitants during the Byzantine period recycled many standing structures and rock-cut monuments, while also constructing their own buildings, including churches. Among the rock-cut monuments, they reused the Great Tomb or The Monastery (a cross carved in the wall gave the structure its popular name), which was modified into a church.


Islam arrived in the Arab invasion of the 7th century. Aaron's tomb, on a mountain near Petra, is an important Muslim shrine (holy also to Jews and Christians) and dates from the 14th century. In the 12th century, A Crusader outpost was built in Petra, then it became a "lost city", known only to local Arabs.Petra was rediscovered by Burckhardt in 1812.More than 100 years later, Thomas Edward Lawrence (Lawrence of Arabia)wrote in his book, "The Seven Pillars of Wisdom", 'Petra is the most beautiful city in the world'. Archaeological excavations in Petra took place only since the 20s of the 20th century. A little later, the tourist development began in ruins.


In 1985 Petra was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.UNESCO has described it as "one of the most precious cultural properties of man's cultural heritage". Petra was chosen by the BBC as one of the 40 places you have to see before you die. On July 7, 2007, Petra was named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.


Bab as-Siq

The journey to Petra's center begins in the Bab as-Siq, a modern gravel road with a side for horses and aside for pedestrians. It runs alongside the Wadi Musa, which is dry most of the year but runs with water in the winter.


The Siq

The Siq (the shaft), is a mile long narrow gorge that leads into the city of Petra, emerging dramatically in front of the Treasury along the way.  It was not formed by erosion but tectonic forces, which caused the rock to split dramatically in half. It was only then the waters of the Wadi Musa flowed in and the winds blew through the newly formed gap, gradually rounding the sharp edges into smooth curves.