The Lost City of Petra in Jordan

New Delhi: Petra is a historical and archaeological city in the Jordanian governorate of Ma'an, that is famous for its rock-cut architecture and water conduit system.Established possibly as early as 312 BC as the capital city of the Nabataeans, 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 Arabah (Wadi Araba), the large valley running from the Dead Sea to the Gulf of Aqaba. Petra has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985.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. What is so unique and stunning about Petra is the city was carved out of the rose-colored sandstone cliffs of a deep gorge called the Siq, or “the shaft”.The buildings cut into the steep cliff face have doors which lead into rock cut chambers behind the ornate facades. The most impressive of these buildings is called Al Khazneh, or the Treasury. The Treasury is nearly 12 stories tall and is so named because the Bedouins told tales that it once contained vast amounts of treasure. It is actually a royal tomb or temple, like many of the other rock cut buildings at Petra. In the tombs there is archaeological evidence that the Nabataeans practiced the funeral rite of feasting with the dead. Family members would eat a meal in the tomb and leave some food for the soul of the deceased. This practice was a way to connect the living and the dead, and was practiced in various forms since Neolithic times.Besides the rock cut buildings, there were also free standing buildings built at Petra. Houses were free standing but they have since all been destroyed by earthquakes. The Nabataeans engineered a complex system of channels and cisterns to collect rainwater for drinking. It is a credit to Nabataean engineering that this ancient water system is still used today by the Bedouins. Even in the arid climate the Nabataeans farmed the land and raised sheep, goats, camels and horses. The Nabataean kingdom prospered by controlling the caravan trade routes that linked the East to the Mediterranean. These caravans provided spices, textiles, frankincense and myrrh to the Greek and Roman world. Trading frankincense and myrrh was a very lucrative business in the ancient world. Both were used to make incense which was burned in every temple as an offering to the gods. The Nabataean kingdom remained prosperous and powerful until 106 A.D. when it was finally conquered by the Roman Emperor Trajan. The city was devastated by severe earthquakes in 336 and 551. Petra was largely abandoned by 700, except for a fort build by Crusaders in the 12th century. Petra was sometimes called the “The Lost City” when it was rediscovered in 1812 by Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt.Photography enthusiasts will not be disappointed when the sunlight brings out the natural highlights in the rose-colored rocks. Early morning or late afternoon is the best time to take photographs in the gorge. Tourists should plan on one day to see the main sites or several if they would like to see all areas of the Petra Archaeological Park. Petra is constantly threatened by earthquakes and flash floods, and erosion is slowly wearing away the delicate facades. It may be hard to truly appreciate the incredible architectural achievements at Petra without seeing them first hand. The ancient city of Petra is truly one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. The “rose-red city” will surpass all expectations and fill you with wonder and awe.