Petra

The Siq

Petra was chosen as the capital of the Nabateans because it was located in a valley surrounded by sandstone mountains. There are many ways to get into Petra, but none of them are easy, and if the valleys are sealed, it is almost impossible for anyone to enter. The main entrance to Petra is called the Siq; it has sides as high as 200 m (650 ft).  This gorge and the temple at the end of it (the Kazneh) were popularized in American culture in the movie Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.  Knowledge of Petra was lost to the Western world until John Lewis Burckhardt tricked his Bedouin guides into leading him there in 1812.

The Kazneh

Of the 800 carved tombs in Petra, the Kazneh is the most famous. Its name Kazneh means "treasure" and comes from the Bedouin belief that the Pharaoh chasing the Israelites hid his treasure in the urn at the top of the Kazneh. Tomb facades were built from the top down. Scaffolding was built and then grooves were carved into the rock. Into these grooves were inserted pieces of wood, which when made wet, expanded and cracked the rock.

Main Street

As many as 30,000 people may have lived in Petra during the 1st century AD. It is a misconception that Petra was a city only for the dead. A large earthquake in AD 363 destroyed at least half of the city. Petra never recovered from this destruction.

The Monastery

The Monastery is the largest tomb façade in Petra, measuring 50 m wide and 45 m high. Despite its name, it was built as a tomb monument and may have acquired its name from the crosses inscribed inside.  Like the Kazneh, the structure consists of two stories topped by a magnificent urn.  The architectural detail of the Kazneh is not evident in this building.

Monastery Top

Scholars debate who the designers and builders of the tombs of Petra were.  They were probably the product of local workers and artisans brought in from Alexandria and Rome.  The monuments are Nabatean in style, but they incorporate classical, Egyptian and Mesopotamian elements.

Jebel Haroun

In Bedouin tradition, Jebel Haroun is Mt. Hor where Moses' brother Aaron was buried.  Most scholars reject this, locating Mt. Hor near Kadesh-barnea to the west.  Some believe that Petra may be Sela in the OT, largely because of the meaning of the name (2 Kgs 14:7; Isa 16:1). Sela is "rock, cliff, fissure" in Semitic cognates, and Petra is "rock" in Greek. Others place Sela just north of Bozrah or believe it to be a general reference meaning "the rock, cliff."

Related Websites

Petra - Myth and reality (Aramco World Magazine) A lengthy article that sets the record straight about Petra's history and archaeology.

Petra (Walking in Their Sandals) Concisely provides general information about Petra's location and history.

Petra (BibArch) Briefly discusses the history of the site. Supports the (unlikely) view that Petra was ancient Sela.

Petra (Angus McInyre) Offers an in-depth description of the site through various articles, pictures, and a map. Click on the links to explore these features.

Petra Map & Monuments (Atlas Tours) Provides a detailed map and informative discussions about several of the site's features.  Also contains a few photos.

American Expedition to Petra Homepage of the AEP project featuring articles about Petra's history and excavations.

Petra - The Great Temple Excavation (Brown University) The homepage of the Petra Great Temple Excavations which provides a summary of Petra's history and excavations, plus an in-depth study of the Great Temple.

The Complete Petra (Tim Spalding) A comprehensive collection of links to websites about Petra.

Petra: Capital City of Nabataea (Nabataea.net) Extensive presentation of pictures and information about the site. An in-depth virtual tour.

Petra: Lost City of Stone (American Museum of Natural History) Museum exhibit of Petra highlighting many topics about its history and exploration. Particularly noteworthy are the interactive 360 degree panoramas here.

Touristic Sites: Petra (The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan) Lengthy article about Petra's history and features, sponsored by the Jordanian government.

Petra Region, Jordan (SIR-C/X-SAR Space Radar Images of Earth) Radar images of Petra taken from space. Discusses some of the geological features of the area.