Petra

What can I say about Petra? It was amazing. I took so many photographs that I can’t even begin to post a fraction of them. There is so much to say as well - I’ll just share the highlights.

Petra, meaning “rock”, is what is left of a city built by the Nabateaen civilization about 400 years before Christ.  The structure above is known as the Obelisk Tomb because of the four Indian obelisks carved above.  The top story houses the tomb proper, while the bottom story, decorated in a more classical style contains a traditional dining hall (triclinium) for Nabataean funnery rites.

The Nabateaens were an Arab tribe that most likely displaced the Edomites living in this area during the Persian occupation. Petra became the Nabataean’s most prominent city during this time because it was located strategically on the path of an important spice trade route between Damascus and Arabia.

Petra was famous above all for two things: its trade and its hydraulic engineering systems.  It was locally autonomous until the reign of Trajan, but it continued to flourish even under Roman rule.

This tiny mile long gorge that cuts through the mountains is known as the siq, and it forms the entrance to the city of  Petra. This gorge was caused not by erosion, but by tectonic action.  Along the siq, we saw god blocks or monuments of gods that were placed there to guard the city. Surrounding the city are mountains that extend on either side of the Great Rift Valley that runs through Wadi Musa.






























Most of the carvings we observed have to do with their religious beliefs, emphasizing burial tombs, temples, and Niches for idols they worshipped.  To the left you can see one of the niches they carved and the shelf on which they placed their idol.  Many of the carvings we noticed were of "block" gods.


Interestingly enough - excavation is ongoing. The more they dig, the more they find. They believe 30 or more feet of the city is buried beneath the sand and silt washed in from the rains and floods. Despite 100 years of excavation, only 1% of the city has been investigated!

But among the most remarkable of all Nabataean achievements is the hydraulic engineering systems they developed including water conservation systems and the dams that were constructed to divert the rush of swollen winter waters that create flash floods. We observed the dam, the way they diverted water into cisterns, and the tiled water channels that carried an ancient clay pipeline transporting fresh water along the main thoroughfare to be used by the inhabitants of the city.  To the right, you will see a portion of the water channel that runs along the main street bringing water from the Spring into the center of Petra.

Beth Anne and the girls taking a rest in the shade, while John Luke and friends rest take a water break.  It was a long, but beautiful walk, with so many places to explore!  We really needed to stay all day - it just wasn't long enough!

We heard of the trade caravans that traveled through this important city to trade their goods. Camel caravans led by men are carved into the walls of the city showing where they Nabataeans  would have welcomed travelers and began their business. It was very interesting.  I know, these are donkeys, but aren't they cute?

One of the interesting insights we were taught is that the Nabataeans would build from the top down.  Everything was carved and chiseled out of the mountain - one huge piece of stone!  They started their buildings at the top, chipping away at the stone surface and then moving their way down.  Look at the beautiful architecture influenced by so many different cultures!

If you look carefully, you will see a series of holes along the side of the carvings - almost like stairs. These are the notches that the stonemasons used to lower themselves as they cut away at the mountain and moved down to the next level.





Many of the burial sites have stair stepped shapes above them - which almost look like step pyramids. These were a popular decoration.

The Colonnade Street runs through the center of Petra.  It is here that markets were located.  There are several temples, a theater, and more tombs.  Brown University has been heading up recent excavations along the Colonnade and near the temple.  There is so much more to be unearthed!

There is evidence that the city was partially destroyed by two earthquakes in the 300s and again in 500s AD. And when Muslims took over this area, Petra was evacuated, almost forgotten, and not really discovered again until 1812.

Royal Tombs Overlooking Petra

My boys scared the life out of me by climbing up and over every stone structure - some quite dangerously high. They had a ball - I just didn’t look. Exploring in Jordan is different than in the US. They don’t believe in hand rails, or warning signs - you basically just climb at your own peril.

If you look at the photo below, click on the picture a couple of times, and look for orange, blue, and red shirts high on the rocks, you will see where the boys were climbing before I "stopped looking".  They eventually made it all the way to the top!  No pictures of that, though!  Mark called them down after the Bedouin nearby told him, "Very dangerous! Very, very dangerous!"

This city ignited my love for adventure and my interest in architecture and archeology. We walked the several miles down into the city. It was so very, very hot - but a beautiful day! It took all the strength I could muster just to walk back to the bus - a long and uphill climb. I hired a Bedouin and rode a horse for the last 3/4 of a mile. :) It was my Indiana Jones experience!

Look at the beautiful colors of the rock.  It ranged from golden hues to reds and pinks.  It is obvious why Petra is one of the 7 Wonders of the World!